---Books into Movies Export

How many of you have read a book, then watched a movie that was based on that same book? Were you disappointed? Or elated that they hadn't made any significant changes? Or even surprised to discover the movie was even better than the book?

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“A novel is a narrative that organizes itself in the world. And the cinema is a world that organizes itself into a narrative..” - - French film critic Jean Mitry Books in a Series by Their Authors | Movies Based on the Book Your Discussion Leader: Bill H Talk about other movies (not originally books) in our Movies and Videos discussion. Join our current discussion of Brideshead Revisited

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jane, thanks for the nice new theater. Not even any popcorn or sticky spilled soda on the floor.

Yes, Mary...extra large screens, comfortable reclining, padded, beautiful chairs...

Hopefully we won't sleep through all the movies.

Yes, Jane, thank you.

I meant to mention that there's a really spiffy edition of DaVinci Code out now, which wasn't out when I read it. I think it's called The Illustrated DV Code or somesuch. If it had been out when I read the book, I'd have bought it because it includes all the artwork, buildings, churches, etc. I had to go to the library and look for these things as online pictures just didn't show up well. Even though the book isn't literature by any means, I look at it as part of our cultural phenomena and it would be nice to have by that standpoint. I may just get it yet just to have. No matter what one thinks of the religious angle, or the literary value, it still is one of the bset selling novels of ll time. This bad boy is still on the Bestseller lists.

Well, after reading all the posts I guess I haven't missed much by not seeing it yet. Will wait for the DVD.

We're so often referred to the Internet Movie Data Base (imdb.) Here are the ins and outs of that very informative site, right from the horse's mouth.

From a Small Stream, a Gusher of Movie Facts

Hats, you were asking a while back about a good audio book to get started on. Some years back a fellow school librarian said one of the most popular items in her library was the audio book "The Horse WHisperer," by Nicolas Evans. Having listened to it on the radio, I can understand why. It's also a good read and a good movie.

Ginny, I agree with you 100% about Wikkipedia.

Pedln, thanks a bunch. What a fascinating story.

I love IMDb, too, pedln.

On the Movies of the Golden Age discussion, somebody mentioned The Bridge on the River Kwai. This was certainly an example where both the book and the movie were great. However, it's interesting in that they changed the ending of the book for the movie.

You might remember the plot scenario. It's set in a Japanese POW camp during WW II. The Japanese force the POWs, American and Brit, to build a railroad bridge. One of the Americans (played by Wm. Holden in the movie) plots to blow up the bridge. The Brit commander (played by Alec Guiness) is determined to finish the bridge.

At the end of the book, the American's plot to blow up the bridge is foiled by the Brit commander, and the train is able to use the bridge. At the time of the movie (1957), this was simply not an acceptable ending, so it was changed, and the American succeeds in blowing up the bridge.

Makes you wonder how it would be treated if a remake were made today.

That would make another great addition to the anit-war novel-into-moivie group along with All Quiet on the Western Front, Paths of Glory. I haven't read Bridge or Glory; should be interesting reading. Can't think of any others now; most movies glorify war and warriors.

I love the movie, The Bridge on the River Kwai and the book. SPOILER SPOILER The book has a sad, almost despairing ending, like The Scarlet Letter. I grant the directors and producers and writers of Kwai the right to change the ending, but not the same of The Scarlet Letter, though. The Bridge on the River Kwai is about the people, not the action, and Hawthorne's book is about the actions of the people. I'm not sure I'm saying it right.

I just watched The Caine Mutiny with Humphrey Bogart as Captain Queeg. He was brilliant in the role. The movie was compelling, an excellent film. I had to buy it because I could not find it as a rental, but I'll be glad to own it. They changed the denouement in a way that took away Ensign Keith's role in the book. Still, it's a great movie, and Humphrey Bogart really made the character Queeg.

For a fun review of The DaVinci Code read Roger Ebert's Chicago Sun Times review:

Ebert's take on The DaVinci Code

Another friend of mine, whose tastes in movies I respect, has advised me that I will have a rip-roaring time watching the movie.

I'm a bit tired of Catholic-bashing, on the other hand, as Ebert says, no one with an ounce of intelligence thinks the book means anything other than a fun romp through a mystery.

Kleo

I agree, Kleo, about Bogart's performance as Queeg. He is magnificent!

"The Caine Mutiny" and "Bridge Over........." are both wonderful movies. For those who like audio books, try listening to "When the Emperor Was Divine." It's a memoir of a Japanese family's experiences in the internment camp during WWII. This is the writer's first book, and it's beautifully written.

I did read "When the Emperor was Divine." I felt so sorry for the family. It is the first book I have ever read about the Japanese Internment camps. I hope the author writes another book. I had forgotten about getting the movie.

as Ebert says, no one with an ounce of intelligence thinks the book means anything other than a fun romp through a mystery.

What a condescending and frankly, insulting thing to say. A lot of people struggle with this whole thing. I personally don't relate to that, but I'd never tell them they had not an ounce of intelligence. In my f2f group, one gal was offended by the book- she clearly struggled with it. The last thing any of us would have done would have been to tell her she had no intelligence.

Not only is his statement rude and thoughtless, it's no doubt also incorrect. Who is he to judge who has intelligence or not?

I think Ebert is actually talking about all the controversy about the book, not about the book itself with this remark of his. First off, it's fiction. And it does get tiresome listening to people believe fiction is factual, the arguments, the articles about whether or not Jesus and Mary M. really were married and there really is a 2000 year Church conspiracy of silence around this . I personally think this whole thing was a publicity stunt by the publisher, and it worked very well.

That the book is fiction doesn't mean it isn't offensive. But does it really reveal conspiracies and truths about the Catholic Church? I personally think people ought to step back and look at if they think it really does.

And Ebert offends for the same reason the book does: to sell copy.

Kleo

Looks like the big winner at Cannes is one "The Wind that Shakes the Barley". It's from a book. Anyone ever heard of it?

Spoke too soon. The book I saw by this title is about Robert Burns, which the movie is not. Same title, two different animals. Sorry about that. Nonetheless, the movie looks very good. It starts Cillian Murphy who is my new fave since I just recently saw him in that BBC production of THE WAY WE LIVE NOW. He's been in a few films here as well.

Scootz, the Cannes film that intrigued me was "Babel," described as Crash-like, linking AMerican tourists in Morocco. Netflix does not have it in its database yet, but they do have "Volver," deemed by many (according to the reviewer) to be the best film of the festival. See Manohla Dargis' and A.O. Scott's article in today's NYT.

Mary Z -- interesting about Bridge OVer the River Kwai. I had forgotten about the different endings. In my mind's eye I can still see someone shouting "Nooooooooo" at the end. Book or movie?

I came home from the library Saturday with videotapes of two oldies --"Meet Me in St. Louis" and "Keys of the Kingdom, by A.J. Cronin. I don't know if the first is from a book or not. When I got home I realized that what I really wanted to see was Cronin's "The Green Years." Was that a prequel to Keys or not?

pedln, Well, do let me know if you do see Volver.

It'll be a while before we get to see WIND THAT SHAKES THE BARLEY....

pedln, I don't know which - it could be either. It would depend on which character was yelling. It does sound like it might be Alec Guiness's character screaming as the bridge was destroyed. I've put Bridge in my queue at Neflix, so we'll see it sometime this summer.

Yes, I finally decided to sign up. There's nothing on TV this summer, except for the new season of The Closer starting in June, so this'll give us something to watch.

Mary Z--I think you will like Netflix. Not only do you get three movies at a time (so you can have a selection and see what you feel like), but they are very quick to send you the next one in your queue as soon as you mail one back. And the little envelopes they come in are used to mail DVD back, postage already paid.

I LOVE Netflix and guess HU found the red jackets and the white sleeves, Joan K? hahahaha

I like British TV and programming and movies, big time. I use the BBC Catalogues that come and the other ETV stuff that advertises DVD's to see what I might like to see. You can read about them, there are several (I'm cleaning house, spring cleaning and so have thrown out the new ones but they come every other day) that I have never heard of and it's SOOO fun to order them on Netflix. If you don't lose your shirt (sleeves and jackets) hahaah

Right now I've got Sideways (again to give it a second chance) and Lost in America, on the way here. I am a big fan of Albert Brooks and may order all his, after watching Brokeback Mountain first (if it's available yet). I like the way you can rearrange the queue. Am watching Patton now on TV.

Mary Z- my hub and I both love The Closer. Isn't Kyra Sedwick fabulous in that role? I can't wait- she's starts again next Monday.We actually saw an ad( during the trailers) for the show when we went to the da Vinci movie.

We rented and viewed "The Smartest Guys in the Room" yesterday. With the Enron verdicts just having come down, and hub having actually had Enron as a customer, we had great interest. It's a best selling book as well. If you are interested in the subject , it's a good flick. gets your BP up though. For me, it was very interesting to see the parallels with the Trollope book I just read and am about to discuss. People who act like they know what they're doing, who seem to be powerful and have it all, can convince others they do to the point of having others trust them without even checking.

I never rent movies till summertime. Now that the network tv has finished for the season, I toddle on back to Blockbuster for films. We go to the movies a lot, so there are not too many we haven't seen. But I'm always up for old ones I missed as well. Maybe we can suggest some here as we go?

I got "The White Countess"(Ralphe Fiennes, Natasha Richardson) to see this week, and have a BBC production of DAVID COPPERFIELD that I never saw yet.Afternoons are pretty brutal here, heatwise. I do any errands in the morning, but am in for the afternoon. Reading or viewing or swimming, one or the other. This period from Jan.-May has been the hottest ever in history. I am a bit scared about what this all means- we aren't even into June yet.

Ginny, get behind me for Brokeback Mountain. I don't want to wait while you hunt for sleeves

And didn't you bad-mouth Sideways before (or was that everyone else I spoke to?) You're watching it again!! I'll bet you're wondering what you missed just because some younger adult (like my daughter, for example) said, 'Oooooh, this is one of the best films I've ever seen."

I've been enjoying the BBC series "As Time Goes By" with Judi Dench -- my all-time favorite actress. Series 6 is on it's way from Netflix. I bought the BBC production of the new Bleak HOuse (shown here on PBS -- three discs.) Very clever formatting -- at the beginning you can't just jump to the main menu, but must sit through all the BBC previews.

"Meet Me in St. Louis" IS from a book -- by Sally SMith Benson, her collected stories about growing up in St. Louis appeared in the New Yorker. I don't think I ever saw it before. For sure I would have remembered Margaret O'Brien who was the second female star, next to Judy Garland. This was directed by Vicente Minelli. It was delightful.

Yes I hated Sideways, just hated it but twice now I've caught different bits of it and I have to say that Paul Giamatti does a fantastic job as the down and out schlump, he's just good. The subject matter is awful but Giamatti is fantastic and that's why i want to watch IT again without the first shocked prejudices I had. I don't want to read the book. He steals from his mother for Pete's sake and he's a grown man. I was so turned off that I missed the great performance so I'd like to give it a second chance.

HEY Sleeves and Jackets are on the way! hahahaa

I could not BELIEVE I found those, that in itself was a miracle. I bet I have a million bollywood things lined up including Amir Khan's very newest one, I am a total fool for Bollywood (somebody asked somewhere what that was but somebody I thought answered it, so I have not) but if you have NOT seen Lagaan, you have missed one of THE best movies about India ever and the Indian professors of the class I took IN India recommended it, I love it.

Let's discuss it!

Brokeback Mountain, we'll fight for it. I also want Nanny McPhee which I absolutely loved in the theater but may buy it, it's still showing here!

I'm off to see The Poseidon Adventure Thursday and will report ALL, I have seen trailers which look VERY good. Just wait till Hats gets thru with the book and we'll tear it UP!

pedln,

I am dying to see the BBC of BLEAK HOUSE- except I have to read the book first. I'm eager for it, though. I love anything BBC.

I may have to look into this netflix dealy.

Hey, Ginny...since you've now watched Sideways twice, I should ask you if you know that the special wine Paul Giamatti drinks at the end, the wine he's been saving for a special occasion, is a kind of Merlot. That's the movie's in-joke. He spends the entire movie putting down Merlot, not realizing that the wine he has so carefully saved for the special time is actually a Merlot.

Scootz, Netflix is so convenient. All by mail, no time limits -- I kept one DVD for almost 6 weeks. No problem. My DIL says, "cheaper than late fees. Re: Bleak House -- the BBC production is fantastic. Netflix has it -- enjoy it even if you haven't read the book. Your to-read list is probably way long already, anyway. I'd send you my Bleak House but I took it to the east coast family and figure it'll be years before it makes its way, if ever, back here.

Yes, Lagaan is terrific. A movie, musical/opera, and what all combined. You learn a lot about cricket too.

The kids (and kids at heart) will love"The Thief Lord" from the novel by German children's author Cornelia Funke. There is a Fagin-type character, but the whole thing is very light with bits of schmaltz and fantasy thrown in. Set in Venice.

Ginny - Good to see that you're giving "Sideways" a second chance. It's interesting to me that women in our age category (seniors) were so totally turned off and disgusted by the money stealing scene, and simply cannot get past it. Most women found it to be unforgiveable. I thought it was pathetic and sad. Giamatti's character was supposed to be a decent guy, but that bit of bad behavior, and later his excessive drinking, were motivated by depression and self loathing. He had been totally destroyed by his recent divorce and was not dealing well with anything in his life. He felt guilty and remorseful, and absolutely hated himself for stealing, and couldn't even face her the following morning.

Now the other guy was a different story. He was the one with absolutely no conscience and no scruples. Thomas Haden Church, did a perfect job portraying that self centered, hedonistic jerk! Unfortunately, there are lots of men out there that are just like him.

Our adult children loved the movie, because they were able to relate to and understand both characters, and not be judgmental. Their generation is much more forgiving than ours.

pedln,

Don't worry, I already have BLEAK HOUSE. I have a collection of the B&N Classics and that one's among them. Nice of you to offer, though.

Is there a minimum number of films per month for netflix? This would be so super for my Mom and Dad but not sure they have it in Canada.

I'm 55, I loved Sideways. A tad vulgar in spots, but it had a lot to say that film. Loved Virginia Madsen.

BEV!! Hahahaaha Aren't you smart! I should ask you if you know that the special wine Paul Giamatti drinks at the end, the wine he's been saving for a special occasion, is a kind of Merlot. That's the movie's in-joke. He spends the entire movie putting down Merlot, not realizing that the wine he has so carefully saved for the special time is actually a Merlot.

NO! No of course I did not know that, what a HOOT! Love it. No I don't drink? And so I don't know Merlot from Squat, despite owning and operating a vineyard for 26 years. Hahahaa

THANK you for that!

Hahaha Marilyne, thank you for that insight into the movie, and this It's interesting to me that women in our age category (seniors) were so totally turned off and disgusted by the money stealing scene, and simply cannot get past it. Most women found it to be unforgiveable.

I don't know about unforgivable and I don't have the need to love a character nor to see a movie which has admirable characters but that really turned me off, being the mother of sons I guess, I wanted to like the character, but that made a big gap there in empathy.

And I think when you get our age I think that we may have SEEN that happen to others in real life in other ways? For instance on my Mobile Meals Route I have a woman living in what is essentially a shack, it's a two room green shack with a stove standing in the middle of the…er…"living room" in a row of same: rental houses. She's old, nobody to care for her, so what? OH but she HAS another house? She HAD a "big house, " the grandest house in town, which they could make a movie of, and which is currently lived in by her son. He, in other ways, "stole" it, and she got this nasty little SHACK and if I took a photo of it you'd know what I'm talking about.

When you see something like that and you get to be our age and hear of it then of course it's a different reaction to that scene from a young person who probably can't imagine that happening, he disconnects, like you do when you see something that is not a reality for you, you laugh nervously (yes it's unpleasant but HEY) and moves on. Those who have SEEN it in real life know it's no joke and money does strange things to any family.

My personal opinion of that scene, the loving mother so eager to see her grown son for once, his stealing up the stairs and taking her money out of her pocketbook, was one of disgust and I thought both men were pathetic losers. I agree both actors did a magnificent job, Giamatti's the more, for some reason, poignant, but they were both losers.

But I thought, and maybe I need to get the book, that what the point of the movie WAS, was the pretense. That swirling of the wine, the oenophile's entire schtick, what a mockery that was. What a mockery. The Great American Novel. That movie has more to recommend it than that one scene would appear. I think that younger generations simply regard that scene as funny, let's ask them when they are 80 (make a note, so we can do that?) hahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

I'll get the book today and see what I think the author is trying to say AND check out Bev's revelation at the end in the BOOK too, good conversation!

Um Ginny..aren't you supposed to be exercising?

I'm back! Stoked and off to buy my husband a grill, we've finally talked him into a new grill (his old cheap little thing is rusting away on the porch, inch by inch!) I know you love grills!

Oh good grief! You'll never hear the end of it now from me! LOL See ya over on the cooking board. Don't you think we need a "grilling area" on sn? (hint, hint)

I dunno, suggest it in the Suggestions area of the main SN menu (hit Discussions & Chat in the black bar on top of the heading here, and look for Suggestions for SeniorNet and suggest it! The Food area is not one that I can help with.

I went there and it's says no access. I don't get what I'm supposed to do there- can't understand the instructions. I'd be happy to suggest it though once I do. btw- ru buying gas or charcoal?

Scootz, there's no minimum of how many movies you get per month, but you're charged the same amount each month whether you get any or not. I signed up for a 2-week free trial of the plan that allows a maximum of 2 DVDs at a time, with a maximum of 4 per month. That's the medium pay-grade. To answer more of your questions, go to their web site (netflix) and look up the FAQs to see how it works.

The most hilarious review of "The DaVinci Code" is in the May 29 issue of The New Yorker magazine, written by Anthony Lane. Anyone who has read the book or seen the movie will enjoy it.

Another really good movie from a book about Asian life in America is "Eat a Cup of Tea." It's funny and sad, but has a happy ending.

I debated Netflix, but could not find any of the foreign films I wanted or any classics I wanted to watch or any of the recent film festival movies or documentaries. I couldn't figure out what they had that I would want to watch on their schedule--versus a local pick-up of the movie of my choice. I watch movies to see a particular film, not just to watch any movie--what if they send me 3 action adventure movies when I'm in the mood to watch a western, or 3 foreign documentaries when I want something light?

I think if I had a library simply deliver books on their schedule it might work out, though.

But for movies, which I love, am addicted to, and watch by the hoards, it just didn't seem that interesting a way to do it.

Folks are happy with Netflix picking what they want to watch when according to the Netflix schedule? How do you get the movie you want when you want it?

Kleo

As I understand it, Kleo (and we've just received our first two movies from Netflix), you put the movies you want in a queue (their word). You get them in the order you have them listed in your queue, and I think you can change the order they might be in. You get the top one in your queue when you return one that you have already watched. So YOU determine the order in which you receive movies.

Did you type the name of the movie(s) you were looking for into the search box of Netflix? I have been amazed at the number of oddball things they DO have. I've belonged to Netflix for about two years now. Sometimes they make lots of money on me (I once went for 3 months without watching a single video), otherties, I'm watching a video a day and returning them, so that I get lots and lots of videos during the month and make up for the "off" months. I've been extremely happy with the service and find that the videos come in about 2 days. My queue has about 80 movies in it, which I'm constantly rearranging as I go through "phases" of kinds of videos I want to watch.

One thing I have really enjoyed is checking out the section on recommended videos. I have found some gems I might not otherwise ever have seen.

Mary is right, Kleo. I've subscribed to Netflix for over two years, and you are the one in control of what you get. You maintain the order of your que (I have 37 films on mine) and can change that order at any time. I'm surprised you are not finding the foreign films you want. With very few exceptions, I've been able to find every one I've wanted.

Turn around time is very quick. I returned two discs (Fri. & Sat.) last week, and tomorrow will find two new items in my mailbox. My subscription allows three discs at any one time, no limit per month for $18.75. Some months I see only one, others 5 or 6. After paying $9.50 for a Sat. matinee in DC, I find it a bargain.

What's also pretty neat is that you can include in a separate part of your que, films that have not yet been released or out in DVD -- such as the Spanish "Volver" which won't even be released to theaters in this country until Oct. I use the tabbed browsing feature of the FIrefox browser. One click takes me quickly from NYT reviews or from this site to Netflix. There I immediately search for the title and when and (usually) if it appears, add a recommended film to my que.

There have been very few disappointments. They don't have Eric Rohmer's Autumn (French) which I saw years ago in San F, and would love to see again. Not available in DVD. And "Jewel in the Crown," which I would also like to see again, does not indicate captions or subtitles. Otherwise, you can't go wrong.

Good grief, Bev. (We were posting close together). 80 films in your que!! Isn't it fun.

You're right about the browsing and recommendeds. LOts of good finds.

Before Netflix I was so dependent upon TV schedules. And would rent maybe one or two videos a year. Now I watch little TV, except for specials, news, and PBS.

Bev,

Well, I tried again. Lots of movies that I can "SAVE" to be added to my list when they become available--movies that are currently available on DVD elsewhere.

And their assortment irritates me to no end, they have Wajda's Czlowiek z marmuru, but not Czlowiek z zelaza, a more important movie, more relevant to Westerners, at least, although they have more Wajda than last time I checked. They don't have Popiól i diament, although they do have Pan Tadeusz this time. I can't personally imagine stocking Wajda without stocking all of him. It's irritating.

I can accept the lack of films by minor Poles and Russians, but why all of Kieslowski, no matter how much more popular in the West, and a disjoint selection of Wajda? Where's the film about Eisenstein that came out a few years ago, wait list it, like so many others. Although I notice they have a much better Eisenstein collection than they did a year ago.

I did send them a nasty letter saying if they were going to offer Slavic flims they should at least look at Wikipedia for some titles to pretend they offer good movies. It seems it might have done some good....

They are also often missing part of a series, too.

Oh, oh, oh, they now have Kieslowski's Dekalog!

Well, I may have to join after all. Sometimes whining is rather useful.

Kleo

Uh. I have to admit that I have never gone looking for Slavic films, though they do have a lot of foreign films, for an American company. I've seen some wonderful Japanese, French, German and Italian films. But I have no background in Slavic films.

Wait wait, are you saying Bev and Pedln that if I, for instance, do not use up my 4 this month (I get 4 in my plan) that they carry over, say I have watched 1, to next month?!?

Not having been able to find the sleeves or jackets for sooo long, I do have a stake in this answer? hahahaa

Ginny, as I understand it, MY plan does limit me to 4 movies in a month - and I can get no more than 2 at a time. But, I could get them one at a time. There are other plans that allow 2 or 3 DVDs at a time, but unlimited movies during the month. I just took the lowest price plan, knowing that I can upgrade anytime, if I find that we watch more than I thought we would. Hope that helps.

I'm sorry I can't answer that. I have the $17/month plan and on that I get as many a month as I want, but can only have 3 out at a time. I just checked the various plans and it LOOKS like on your plan it doesn't roll over, since the plan is designed for renting only four movies a month. I see there is a 1-at-a-time plan where you pay $9.99 and you can only have one movie out at a time, but it's an unlimited plan, so theoretically you can watch one, return it and get as many in a month as you can fit, one at a time.

But NetFlix does penalize people who watch a lot of movies. There have been articles about that recently.

Kleo

All this talk of Ginny's about losing red sleeves and white envelopes or vice versa has me a bit worried, though.

Kleo

How do you mean "penalize people" who watch a lot of movies?

Thanks Mary and Bev, I am new to this, appreciate it. I have 4 per month. I thought that would be a gracious plenty because I rarely if ever watch a movie but lately here I'm a regular movie fanatic, am going to see Poseidon Adventure tomorrow and I DID get Sideways, the book, today, I can't wait to read it. I'll start it tonight.

I am truly not sure I can watch more than one a week, I get 2 at a time, those keep me a long time (all last month).

Haha Kleo, please don't go by my experience, they come in little red envelopes (Jackets) (they have to be shipped in something, and that's the return envelope) and have inside another little white envelope which tells about the movie (Sleeves). Such has been my life that chaos reigned here for a while but everything is now in order, found, in place and where it should be and my two went back yesterday, free, with their jackets and sleeves on proudly, as promised, so it will be interesting to see when the next two come. I've noted Pedln's rate of receipt, and am excited to see how it matches mine: we're really out in the boonies here.

I love it, to be frank, and its turning me into quite the movie buff, I can get movies before I knew they were out on DVD.

When we went to Greece and Crete with the university tour this past March they all had Netflix, and all talked about it, and they kept saying you'll love it, and so when I saw everybody here talking about it I knew I had to try, anyway. I really like it. I have odd taste in movies and I enjoy being able to try them out before I buy one.

"Netflix had been sued for promising "one day delivery" and "unlimited" rentals after it disclosed it delayed DVDs to frequent renters."

If you rent a lot of DVDS, watch a lot of movies, in other words, your deliveries are delayed on purpose by NetFlix. They got sued for it and lost. They still do it, though, but they changed the fine print in their contracts--they no longer promise what they originally promised, but folks haven't noticed and keep touting to others the original terms.

In other words, NetFlix is simply coasting on what they built, but no longer honor. Nasty corporations get tiresome, IMO.

It's called "throttling," apparently, and Blockbuster does it also, as far as I can figure out most of the online mail renters do it. They don't reveal it, they just do it as long as they can get away with it, meanwhile coasting off the goodwill of customers who are not throttled.

Can't corporations figure out how to make a profit without being a liar?

Another very common complaint is that rentals DON'T arrive in the order you have them on the list--a bigger problem for frequent renters than for others. But since I bought my local Hollywood Video owner's daughter's braces, I have to look at the frequent renters' problems, not the casual users' reports.

Another complaint, frequently movies come in nonplayable condition (apparently a worse problem with NetFlix than with the other ones), DVDs are cracked, or they use a bait and switch tactic to get you to upgrade to a more expensive plan, by complying with their part when you first enroll then slowing down the delivery rate and suggesting you upgrade for faster service.

They also send out the wrong title at times, and don't credit you for the wrong title if you have a limited number per month. They ship titles from remote distribution centers more frequently, the more you rent, to delay your return time and the time they need to send the next one out by.

In fact, according to all the on-line sources I can find, my rental amount per month exceeds the amount NetFlix allows for their profit, and my deliveries will generally be delayed by more than a week, and I won't get the number of films I want. If I drop down to fewer rentals, I wind up paying almost 4 per rental, whereas I only pay $1-2 per rental at my neighborhood store.

From the San Jose Mercury News:

"The case revolved around allegations that Netflix had been misleading subscribers about how quickly it delivered movies to subscribers until Jan 15, 2005 - the date that the company made a little-noticed change to its terms of use.

The revision disclosed for the first time that Netflix sometimes delays shipments to frequent renters so it can give higher priority to customers who keep their movies longer.

The practice, derided as "throttling" by its critics, helps boost Netflix's profits because the company charges a flat monthly fee and provides postage-paid envelopes for DVD returns.

The system means Netflix makes more money from infrequent renters and risks losing money on customers who return DVDs quickly so they can get the next movie on their online wish lists."

The bold is mine.

San Jose Mercury News

Anyway, I'll check and see how many of the foreign films I want that NetFlix and Blockbuster has and the other services.

Looks even worse than I thought of it now that I've searched for that news article! I should have quit while I was ahead.

Kleo

Here's the pertinent information from their TOS:

"Allocation, Delivery and Return of Rented DVDs We reserve the right to process orders and otherwise allocate and ship DVDs among our subscribers in any manner that we, in our sole and absolute discretion, determine. In addition, we will, in our sole and absolute discretion, determine the quantity of DVDs we purchase for any particular title, their location within our distribution network and the level of staffing and number of shipments to be processed at each distribution center. As a result of the operational practices described in this section, we may not always send you the top choices from your queue, ship out your next DVD on the same day that we receive one from you, or process orders from your local distribution center."

"In determining priority for shipping and inventory allocation, we may utilize many different factors, including without limitation, the number and type of DVDs you rent through our service, the subscription plan you select, as well as other uses of our service by you. For example, if all other factors are the same, we give priority to those members who receive the fewest DVDs through our service."

They added these lines because of the successful lawsuit against them. I suspect Blockbuster and the other services have the same in their TOS. In other words, frequent renters need not apply or need not expect good customer service.

Kleo

I guess I've just been lucky. I have had none of the problems you describe. Videos come in 2 days, they are always what is at the top of my queue and in 2 years, I think I've had only one video that I had to return because it was not playable.

Blockbuster moved into this town and pretty much put most of the smaller video rental places out of business. I also learned that they censor some of their movies and I would rather watch NO movie on DVD than rent one from Blockbuster.

Well HEY then I'm in the top tier, huh? hahaaaaaaaaaaaaa I'm not big on what's on TOP of my queue, it changes day to day, I want to see everything in mine, and there is NO way out here that anybody can send me anything in one day, I'll see if the next ones are the two I just moved to the top. I don't really care.

I have to drive down an interstate at 70 mph for 30 minutes to get to ANY Blockbuster and I like them, but when you add two trips and the gas it's not worth it. Especially when they have not had the movies I wanted the last several times, but Netflix does.

I like Netflix, let's keep our own little journal here of problems, frankly somebody complaining about not getting one in one day is a bit much, to me. What's the definition of a "frequent renter?" Somebody who has the "unlimited" and needs to get 20 a day?

Exactly who are we talking about here? I have a feeling it's not normal viewers but somebody abusing the "unlimited" business.

We've had Netflix for more than two years now and have never had any of the problems Kleo delineates. Never went off the queue, never didn't play, never delayed. Two movies were returned Tuesday; two new ones will come tomorrow.

I'm glad I don't live in California!

Yeah, Blockbuster also carries their movies only in the formatted-to-fit the screen. I don't like that at all. Censored? Well, they've censored half the screen!

One movie a day? Well, if you're paying for 3 DVDs at a time, and unlimited rentals per month, how many is reasonable? "With our most popular plan, 3 at-a-time (Unlimited), you can rent as many DVDs as you want for just $17.99 a month plus any applicable tax."

Netflix says as many DVDs as you want, so one a day, is that really unreasonable? If they mean to limit it to 5 a week or one every other day, they can advertise that. But that's not what they advertise. So if 20 a day is a ridiculous extreme, then one a day might be reasonable?

What were they talking about? Well, 10 movies a month puts you in the frequent renter category. Not 1/day, not 20/day. 10/month.

And, again, if NetFlix thinks that renting 10 movies a month is "abusing their 'unlimited' business" then they can simply advertise their limits, can't they? And make a profit off of what they are really offering, not what they claimed to offer at one time, then forget to let you know in advance, until taken to court and forced to do so.

I looked around for numbers because I certainly couldn't guess what they would be, while looking at the complaint, and the biggest category of greedy whiner was renting 3 movies a week. Shame on them for abusing NetFlix Corporate Right to Profit.

There's no business around that doesn't have some folks who beat the bank--even in Vegas. Yet the odds are stacked in favor of the profit-maker, that's what they're there for, after all. Courts are aware of this and take this into account. NetFlix simply got greedy, they advertised one thing, but offered something else. It wasn't the few abusers, it was NetFlix's deceptive advertising practices.

I think I will try one of the rental services, see if the good outweighs the bad for me. But I'll go in expecting not the greatest.

I'd love to hear from others who used other services.

Kleo

I don't think the court case was in California. But we are addicted to our movies. I just rent Indian and Paki movies if I can't get what I want at the video store, though.

Kleo

I'm adicted to movies too but not Indian and Paki.

I go see movies in the theater too.

>I'm glad I don't live in California! <<

I'm in California--and, as I said, not a problem. The local Netflix distribution center in only 20 miles from me, so my films come very quickly.

Kleo, sounds like you're really not interested in using Netflix, or any other mail order service - and that's fine. Each to his own.

I don't think the abuses and complaints of a few outweigh the experiences everybody else I have talked to has had, either. I have NEVER talked to anybody or heard from anybody who ever had a problem with Netflix. Looks to me like their "sole discretion" is an effort TO set limits, what a shame some people have to abuse a good thing and then complain about it. Good thing that some of us can make up our own minds without "their" experience.

I am not sure that those who have the problems are only getting 3 movies per week and I have a feeling the "unlimited" movies thing is for those who might want to see more than 4 a month, rather than those who just insist on watching one a day, I have a feeling there is more to this than what's been said.

At any rate, I like to make my own decisions, and every time I see one of these "lawsuits" over something this stupid it makes my blood boil: (tying up the courts, tying up TAXPAYER money, people with absolutely nothing to do with their time but make trouble and hope there's a buck in it for themselves), and since I see Deems here with 2 years experience with Netflix and no problems, I think I'll trust her: there is entirely too much litigation and complaint in this country over nothing whatsoever but greed on the part of the person filing the complaint.

Scootz? Looks like the message is delayed? hahaha

I meant to say that I started the book Sideways last night and I like it. So far. I like the way it's written. It's his first book, he's a screenwriter, but of course I don't know what's coming in the BOOK, I know somebody hated it and so hopefully they'll come in and help discuss it.

I didn't know the movie, "The Graduate", was based on a book. There's an article in our paper today that the author is writing a sequel, to be set 10 years later than the original story. According to the story, the author didn't get any residuals from the movie, and is just short of destitute. So he's writing a sequel. The article mentioned other flat sequels, like the one to Gone With the Wind.

Mary Z,

I remember the title "The Graduate." What was it about? Was it about an older woman and a younger man? That's what is coming to me now. I didn't know about the book.

I have Ginny's copy of "The Poseidon Adventure." I am looking forward to getting it started later today. I can't wait to see how and what happens in the book after seeing the movie with Shelley Winters.

The Graduate was the movie with Dustin Hoffman and Anne Bancroft. He's engaged to her daughter, and she (Bancroft, the mother) seduces tne young man. The Simon & Garfunkle song, Mrs. Robinson, was a theme in the movie.

Oh, I remember the song. Oh my, does she seduce him on purpose??? Don't tell. I guess it's a spoiler. Poor daughter.

I'm so sorry I haven't been here for a while, but last Saturday we had the beginning of unusually hot, humid weather that lasted for five full days. Well, to make a long story short, on Saturday, the beginning of the hot stretch, my air conditioner broke down. The relay switch went bad and because of the holiday I had to wait till yesterday for a AC technician.

Several years ago I converted one of the upstairs extra bedrooms into a full computer room. Well, it was just too darn hot to work upstairs on the computer without AC. I set up an old army cot down in the recreation room for sleeping. Much cooler below ground level. How did we ever manage before AC? I didn't seem to mind the heat then. How about you folks?

I've reading through all your posts and I have learned so much from them. Thank you for keeping this forum going.

Nice and cool now.

Bill H

"At any rate, I like to make my own decisions, and every time I see one of these "lawsuits" over something this stupid it makes my blood boil: (tying up the courts, tying up TAXPAYER money, people with absolutely nothing to do with their time but make trouble and hope there's a buck in it for themselves),"

Oh, I know what you mean. It makes my blood simply boil that corporations can't simply advertise anything they want and then conduct business any way they want, even when in direct contradiction of their ads. Why can't corporations just lie and get away with it? How dare mere cheated mortals have access to the court system. It ought to be held open only to the highest bidder, and as NetFlix has more money they ought never to have to appear.

How incredibly stupid, taking a corporation to court for lying, for not honoring their contract, making them rewrite their contract to reflect the truth. Oh, will the indignities ever end!

Yowzers!

Mary, actually, I probably will try it.

Bill, I don't know what we did before air-conditioning. Madona, the rock singer, doesn't like it, though. She ordered the MGM grand turn it off while staying there. Afghans don't like it. I don't like it all the time, but sometimes it is mandatory. I could not have lived in a pre-air-conditioning century.

Kleo

Bill H - I grew up in Houston, TX, without A/C, and believe me, I don't ever want to be without it again. I'll manage for 1-2 days if our system goes out here, but any more than that, and I'd be in a motel. If I'd been at the MGM Grand when Madonna had the A/C turned off, I'd have demanded a refund, and that they find me another room. I'd never stay there without it. For me, it definitely comes under the heading of "been there, done that - and don't have to do it again."

Bill, I can sympathize with your air conditioning troubles. When I lived in NYC and its suburbs, I could not not be without that blessed invention during the hot, humid summers. But here in Northern CA, in the Bay Area, although I do have air conditioning, I almost never need to use it. It's wonderful and saves me lots of cash.

"The Graduate" was a great movie. I didn't know it came from a book either. Hats, the seduction scene is one of the funniest in the movie, When you see it, you'll have no doubt about whether her intentions are purposeful or not.

Horselover,

I will have to see the movie, The Graduate. I am putting it on my queue.

I

I was going to suggest a moratorium on discussing Netflix. I just got two new DVDs today. I'm HAPPY!! HAPPY!!! HAPPY!!! Most people I know love it. Those you don't --QUIT or NEVER START. Other than a few disappointments about captioning, my only other regret about the company is that I didn't buy the stock when it was $10 a share less than a year ago.

Bill, good to see you here again. Being without AC is no fun.

Oh, I loved the Graduate. Saw it just a few months ago.

Ginny, do you buy many DVDs? I think it would be nice to have a personal library of them, so you could watch what suits your mood, but I don't know that there are many I would watch more than once in one year. Although I did watch "Good Night and Good Luck" twice in one week because I felt I'd missed some points. And I think "84 Charring Cross Road" would be a keeper -- Anne Bancroft again. That would be worth watching several times.

So, the rest of you, if your were building a video library, what would be your FIRST CHOICE?

pedln, Thanks for mentioning 84 Charing Cross Road. The book was one of my mother's favorites, but I don't think she ever saw the movie. I love it, too, and might buy that one. I'll put it in my queue for sure.

Our kids have given us old musicals sometimes, but first of all were To Kill a Mockingbird, Singin' in the Rain, and a group of four Alec Guiness movies (Kind Hearts and Coronets, the Lavendar Hill Mob, etc.)

I put in a video into my DVD player and it gave me the message "this disc cannot be played in your region." Every other DVD I tried (including DVDs which played before) give me the same message. This does not show up as an error message in the manual to my DVD player. I'm stymied. Anybody have a clue what might be going on?

(Just got "Capote" and was looking forward to watching it tonight)

Bev-

This sounds very familiar to me- like as though that happened to us once. Seems I recall it being something to do with how the dvd player was constructed. I'll ask my hub about this tonight and report back.

Did you see Taylor Hicks this morning in concert on Today? (I am hoping it was you who said you liked him on the tv board. If not, just ignore me.I'm mad about him!)

Thanks. I'd appreciate if your husband has any suggestions for me! And yes, I did see Taylor Hicks on The Today Show. I was so glad that he won American Idol....I especially like that there seems to be such a close friendship, and no sour grapes whatsoever, with Katherine McPhee. I may have become an American Idol junkie now.

I wish I could help with the problem, Bev, have you tried our computer sections? I think they have something on DVD's. It sounds to me, the world's worst mechanical incompetent, as if it's in a format for Europe or somewhere not compatible with our machines, but what do I know?

Welcome back, our Bill!! I was beginning to get concerned about you, hasn't it been HOT tho?

I remember visiting relatives in the south during the hot summers and I seem to remember a slower pace during the afternoons, I seem to remember tall high ceilings, fans, having to lie down in the afternoon. I remember huge trees and porches with shade and windows open at night but closed and shuttered in the day time, trapping the cool inside.

But we're used to it now and it's quite a shock, I'm glad to see you back!

Netflix just sent me early this morning 2 emails that they had both my movies back (one for each) and asked me to rate the movie. I love those guys. So I mailed them Tuesday afternoon and they got them this morning, that's very fast for us out here. This is FUN!

I do have quite a few DVD's that's an interesting question, Pedln. I think the new one I have on Pompeii that I bought at the Exhibit in Chicago (did you get one?) is one of the best I ever had, among several great ones on the Romans: they are almost always keepers. I never saw one like the new Pompeii one, tho! They were selling IT in Pompeii this March. I wish we could show it HERE!

I would say Lagaan, I'd want that one….I like The Lost Prince, I like the performances. Some movies are just so good you can watch them over and over, because of the performances. I'd have once put Monty Python and the Holy Grail in there and I might yet. I like the idea of us making our own DVD "bought" list!

I'd want Mapp and Lucia (both sets) and the Miss Marples that Joan Hickson did, and I would want all of Basil Rathbone and Nigel Bruce's Sherlock Holmes from the past (just now coming out on one huge set of DVD's, they've been in 3s before, I think it's this month actually, with new stuff and extras and remastered), I never tire of them. I'm fond of Clockwise and watch it sometimes, too. I won't say Patton but I watched it again on Memorial Day and BOY did he do a good job! I'd want (and have) Keith Michell's The Six Wives of Henry VIII, the performances in that one are incredible as well as Edward and Mrs. Simpson, ditto ditto ditto, I could watch Edward Fox all day long.

I have all of the above except the last Rathbone set, but I do have them on video tape.

If I can ever find Linda Lavin and Lane Smith's A Place to Call Home I would pay any amount for it: I loved it.

But I'm kind of with you, I don't want to KEEP all of the movies I rent, but this is, for me, a great way to see what I DO want, as I said I use the PBS etc catalogues to get the descriptions (of the things I like) and then get them so I can try them out first. If I had a grandchild anywhere I'd want Finding Nemo, which I also have.

What a GOOD question! What PERMANENT DVD's do you all feel you'd want to have if you were making a library of them? I know I have left something OUT!

Thanks for the suggestion, Ginny--I did find that section and posted a question. We'll see what happens. It sounds to ME like it's formatted for another section of the world, too...except it worked just fine this morning and has been working fine since Christmas, so I don't know what could have happened to reset it.

AH! What a mystery, well this will do us all good, if it worked this morning, it will work again and we'll doubtless all encounter this! Let us know when you hear?

Bev-

From the horse's mouth-

Early dvd's and dvd players were coded electronically to insure that they were sold and played only in the approved countries. Royalties varied from one country to the next. As the DVD market matured, DVD's continued to be coded, but newer DVD players were able to read ALL dvd codes and the problem went away. We fixed ours by purchasing a new DVD player. We do not know why your dvd's played in the past but not now... we are also stumped. Sorry...hope you can figure it out and if we think of anything we'll post.

Dan & Cathie

Yeah--my player was new in December (and, as I mentioned, it worked perfectly fine this morning). Very strange. Thanks!

Pedln, some of the favorites in my video library are:
"Groundhog Day"
"Laura"
"My Fair Lady"
"Rear Window"
"The Caine Mutiny" and "Mr. Roberts"
"Double Indemnity"
"Lillies of the Field" and "In the Heat of the Night"
"Steel Magnolias"

Oh and also I forgot to mention the Scrooge movies! Yes I collect Scrooges and Alistair Sims' version has to be right on top there.

Last night I went into Netflix as I remembered I had not ordered A Summer at the Lake. That did not come up? I thought huh? So I typed in Edward Fox (one of the stars) and up came a ton of movies that he starred in, that's very handy. I found A MONTH at the Lake and added it to the queue and it said would you like to move this to the top? No, I thought, because that would knock off Sideways and I want to see it again as I'm reading (and really enjoying) the book.

ER...no it won't because they shipped Sideways yesterday! Yes!

So let's see now: I mailed Shall We Dance back to them Tuesday afternoon, they wrote Thursday morning they had it and they shipped to me Thursday Sideways and Lost in America. That's faster than the local mail here, no joke! I can't mail a letter and get a response here from 6 miles down the road here that fast. I wonder where on EARTH their nearest distribution center is! Must be Charlotte NC.

I am going to be excited to see when Sideways comes. Meanwhile they say Nanny McPhee is available! That is STILL showing in the theaters here!!! So I moved IT up, Brokeback will have to say a little longer. I loved Nanny McPhee, it's silly but I loved it.

Sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't!

Have tickets to go see Al Gore's documentary (and book of the same name) An Inconvenient Truth about global warming. Our paper gave it a great review today- B+, which is high for our DMN.

I loved

1.Lillies in the Field/haven't read the book. I know it's a small book.
2.In the Heat of the Night/I loved the book. I didn't keep up with the series on tv.
3.Laura/great movie. Is it a book too?
4.The Rear Window/ Jimmy Stewart, I have seen this one more than once. Great movie. Book???

I just received "Ladies in Lavender." I heard of it here first.

Scootz, Be sure and tell us about it. I am very interested in Global Warming.

Scootz, it would be wonderful if you would post information about An Inconvenient Truth in our Environmental Issues discussion.

Thanks for mentioning Ladies in Lavendar. I'll put that on my list.

Mary Z,

I just finished Ladies in Lavender. I really enjoyed it. The scenery is beautiful. The music is beautiful. The plot is sweet.

Be happy to do that for you, tomorrow Marcie.

In our paper this morning was a column by Glenn Whipp of the Los Angeles Daily News, giving his choices for "Bad Books/Good Movies" and "Good Books/Bad Movies". I'm posting this for discussion, not necessarily as an endorsement of his choices. He gives reasons for his choices, I'm just copying the titles.

Bad Books...Good Movies
The Bridges of Madison County (1995)
The Godfather (1972)
Jaws (1975)
Le Morte D'Arthur (basis for Monty Python and the Holy Grail, 1975)
M*A*S*H (1970)
Rosemary's Baby (1968)
Sideways (2004)
To Have and Have Not (1944)

Good Books....Bad Movies
The Bonfire of the Vanities (1990)
Breakfast of Champions (1999)
Captain Corelli's Mandolin (2000)
Catch-22 (1970)
Moby Dick (1956)
Myra Breckenridge (1970)
The Natural (1984)
The Scarlet Letter (1995)
The Ten Commandments ((1956)

Mary Z: What a list! Lots of food for thought/discussion there. I'm going to look up the site and will post it here for those who want to read his comments. I'm sure there will be follow-up comments in lots of places about such a provacative list.

Here is the full story:

http://www.dailynews.com/search/ci_3870028 You can't judge a movie by its book...or a book by its movie

Thanks, Mrs. Sherlock. I looked a little bit for the whole article, but didn't find it. You're obviously a better "looker" than I am.

Thanks, Mrs. Sherlock -- a good site to read. I can't comment on too many of the titles because I haven't read/seen on all, but I must remark about Bonfire of the Vanities. The book was a very good read, but then the movie tried to make a comedy out of it and it was most ridiculous.

Ya-Ya Sisterhood and it's twin, Little Alters (which came first -- chicken or the egg) were both enjoyable reads, but oh that terrible movie. It was hard enough to understand it after reading both books, but much worse for someone seeing it cold.

Ok well I'm back from the Poseidon, I don't think they call it the Poseidon Adventure, I am not sure: just Poseidon. It's about an hour and a half of non stop technical effects, and is nothing whatsoever like the book or the previous movie. All of the characters are new. None of them are fleshed out. There is one mother and child, the little boy gets lost and is found almost immediately: that's the only nod to the old movie.

There is no minister. There are no drunk and his soulmate. There were gasps when Richard Dreyfuss appeared, he looks old, (so do the rest of us). I really like Kurt Russell, and he has held up well, he has a big part, I think he could read the phone book and I'd enjoy it: he's just good, so he was a bright spot.

I had to reflect upon watching him that I have been watching him since he was a child in the Disney movies.

I won't spoil it by saying who is lost and found. The Shelly Winters couple is not there. It's essentially special effects and they are pretty special, I guess.

I had hoped, tho, that they'd explain the book!

Once you have seen it, if any of you are, we can compare notes.

One thing to look for which IS funny and nobody caught it, at one point Kurt Russell, asked how he knew something, says, "I used to be a fireman." that IS funny if you remember the Ron Howard movie he starred in AS a fireman (what WAS the name of that thing??!@?? )

Anyway, it's non stop technical effects.

Whoop! I'm just in from the mailbox and guess what? TWO new movies for me from Netflix!!!

Now THAT is good service!

I mailed theirs back Tuesday afternoon, they wrote yesterday morning that they had received them and sent these two and HERE they are!

WHOOP!

There is no stamp so I have no idea where their nearest distribution center is, it must be awfully close tho! WHEEeeeeeeeeee, Sideways here I come again.

I'm enjoying the book, very much. I like the way it's written, it's crude so far but well written.

(By the way I saw the trailers for The Devil Wears Prada and you won't believe who plays Miranda if you've read it)

Thank you Mary, we might discuss those, that's interesting, we can add The Poseidon Adventure to that list:

Good Book Good Movie

(PI1)

Blah Movie (PH2)

Thank you Jackie, most interesting link!

Ginny ~ You always, constantly make me smile!

You get so wonderfully turned on by your movies arriving.
I hope you know I mean this in a completely friendly way!

I just watched the best movie I've seen in years:
Good Night and Good Luck, which is about Edward R. Murrow and CBS vs. Joe McCarthy.
Very serious, very well made.
Directed and written by George Clooney. No wonder he left ER ... he's a remarkably talented guy. He's also in the movie, as Fred Friendly.

By the way, I've been subscribing to on-line Blockbuster, which is just like NetFlix, for a few years, with very few problems or complaints. If a DVD is defective, they'll just send a replacement, no questions asked.

Oh I did want that one, too, Mippy, thank you for reminding me of it and thanks for the notice about Blockbuster online, had never heard of them!

Sideways (and I know you hate it, Mippy) continues a strange book. It's very well written but I've just gotten to the "mother scene," and it's harder to take in the book than it is in the movie.

In the book Miles is going for her BIRTHDAY! They arrive there at 7:30 at night, he has no present for her save a bottle of wine out of a case somebody gave HIM, so Jack stops and gets flowers. She comes to the door in her nightgown, and Miles has made much comment on how since his father died she is going slowly insane with her memories and her martinis.

But things do not add up. Mom is seen as a drinker with a problem but things do not add up. For instance she lives in a fantastic condo, balcony, overlooking the ocean and pool, and the house is spotless. Floors gleam? When Jack asks what's for dinner Phyllis, she has cooked a roast hen and vegetables and they all eat and enjoy. Meanwhile Miles sneaks up to her safe, can't remember in his own drunken stupor the combination (her birthday year) and so has to go get Jack to ask her when she was born Jack is disgusted, and so is the reader at this point. He overhears his mother who seems amazingly lucid to me, saying she's worried about him and what he's made of his life, nicely, to Jack. He also and so does the reader get to hear her ask him if he needs any money.

This is a grown man. Who just stole from his mother. The AUTHOR writes in a very engaging way, it's almost breezy in tone, the title means apparently what happens when you get drunk, you are sideways. The author has deliberately set out to show the reprehensible side of this man (and he's succeeded) but such is his ability to write that you go along too, it's like a nightmare. That was a harder scene to take than in the movie.

IN the morning they sneak out without saying goodbye because Miles can't take her cowboy like breakfasts. Deliver me from such a son. Deliver us all. Miles has taken 2.000 dollars from the safe and wired 850 of it to his long suffering landlord who says ok I'll believe you for once.

This is a man with a problem. What better way to show it? This book is written BY a man who expects "mom" to have a roast chicken dinner with all the trimmings ready any time of the day or night even on her birthday, (you know right then that a man wrote this one hahahaa) but who tries to soften the reader's sympathy for Miles by adding mom is a lush since dad died. She seemed remarkably sober and on his character to me.

Book is strange, an anomaly, breezily written, which I think the movie captures and of course I can only see Giamatti now in the part but he's making a billion excuses, he's about to hit bottom. I am HOPING in the book he does something about this relationship with his mother but we'll see.

Nasty little scene there last night, not much to like in this guy, he's a total failure. (Funny, I was in the Whole Foods yesterday afternoon and they have a wine tasting area and I thought of this book, that's how it opens).

Mippy, we went to see Good Night and Good Luck in the theater, and absolutely loved it! We didn't notice a single false note in their depiction of the era. I've put it on my netflix queue because I want to see it again.

Library Journal
"Frannie and Kit-a veterinarian and an FBI agent, respectively-rescue six very unusual children from an illegal genetic engineering facility called "The School." Although the kids all have biological parents, Frannie and Kit seek to be named their legal guardians. They know the children need to be protected from further harm, while learning to live with their unusual physical condition: all six have wings and can fly. Only Maxie, the oldest child, knows that there is another lab, called "The Hospital." There, Dr. Ethan Kane is harvesting organs of unwitting donors to create a master race who will dominate the world. When the doctor comes looking for the children, Frannie and Kit and the kids "take flight." Patterson (The Jester) leaves something to be desired in this novel: the characters are flat and the dialog banal. The outcome is predictable, and loose ends abound. Though well read by Hope Davis and Stephen Lang, this program is not recommended.-Joanna M. Burkhardt, Coll. of Continuing Education Lib., Univ. of Rhode Island, Providence Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information."

I found the above review at Barnes and Noble.

The movie version of the book will soon be showing in theaters accross the nation. Well, I read the book and I agree with the above criticism. I usually like Patterson's novels but I couldn't finish the story. Somehow I don't like the idea of wings on children, but aside from that I just couldn't get interested in the book.

I suppose the movie is one of the usual summer movies for kids. I should add that this is a sequel to his more popular novel "When the Wind Blows."

Bil H

Bill,

Did I get a wrong impression or did you at one point talk about us selecting a book to read which had a film parallel and discussing both? I think that would be fun. I know we do this now, but I mean a planned one. What do you think?

Also all, speaking of Lake House, there is a new movie coming out soon with that same name, but not from this book. This one stars Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock, They are comparing it to that old movie with Jane seymour and Christopher Reeve called "Somewhere in Time" which had a time warp, fantasy element to it. I really want to see this one.Check it out,.....be sure to watch the trailer.

The Lake House

Ginny, thank you for the review of the new movie version of the Poseidon Adventure. The redoes never seem to be as good as the originals. I know the actors and actresses are different in this new release but I always think of Shelly Winters when Poseidon Adventure is mentioned.

I watched a few minutes of an old movie titled "He Ran All the Way"--1951. Shelly Winters and John Garfield starred in this. She was so young and slender back then. IMDb gives her birth date as August 18 1920. So she was only about 31 when the picture was released. She died this past January fourteenth. .

Bill H

I am enjoying the book "Poseidon Adventure." I looked at the old movie before reading the book. As usual, the book is far better than the movie. From what I can understand the Poseidon hit an underwater earthquake or volcano. I didn't get the understanding of what had happened from watching the movie.

Scootz, yes I did mention doing a Book/Movie parallel and I do think it would be fun. But I'm going to have to wait a while. I have a CM discussion about antiques coming up soon. And perhaps I may be doing a Poe discussion.

Thank you for telling us the movie "The Lake House" is not from Patterson's novel. I stepped right in to that when I saw it advertised on TV. So much for jumping to conclusions.

Hats, I can't remember the movie telling us way the ship was going down. Maybe I just missed it.

Bill H

Hats, I found this at IMBd about the sinking of the Poseidon.

" A passenger ship, on her way to the scrap yard is pushed to her limits by the new owners to save on the dismantling fees. A tidal wave hits her, flipping her over so that all the internal rooms are upside down. A priest takes a mixed band of survivors on a journey through the bowels of the ship in an attempt to survive."

I suppose the movies have to make the scenes a little more spectacular than the novels.

Bill H

Yes Bill you are absolutely right, Shelley Winters ran away with that movie and she's what I remember, what about you all, if you saw the original Poseidon Adventure, what do you remember?

Hats, what stood out for you from the first one? And you're right, Bill, it was some kind of underwater earthquake or something and a huge tidal wave, that swamped the ship.

And you're dead right Hats the book is a lot better, but the end is troubling in the book. I did HOPE that the movies would address it.

They don't!

The old movie tries, just changes it to a feeling of…would you say hope?

The second or new movie seems pointless unless you like to see technical productions and/or like Kurt Russell, whom I do like, very much.

And then the BOOK, totally different tone and ending.

The new movie seems to have no point? There IS heroism but it's not from the minister? There IS swimming but it's not from Shelley Winters or her character, there is no Belle nor minister in the 2nd movie.

And there are some technical things in the 2nd movie I really want to discuss here and get your own opinions on!?! But don't want to SPOIL this old plot. The movie has all new characters, not ONE is repeated, the only thing repeated is the sinking ship, nothing whatsoever else.

When Hats is thru let's talk about the end of all three, because most of us have seen the first one and now Hats has read the book. Is anybody else here reading the old book? It's EXCELLENT!!!

I never have understood the Patterson craze? Have never read one, don't know what the fuss is about, but a LOT of people felt this last one went too far!

I never have understood the Patterson craze? Have never read one, don't know what the fuss is about, but a LOT of people felt this last one went too far!

I like Patterson--some of his stuff. I haven't read this one, but he did another one, "And the Cradle will fall" which is a vast departure from his "thriller" stuff. I like the thriller ones.

Bill, Does that mean that you will be leading the Poe group? Enquiring minds want to know.

Books into musicals into movies into concert versions: We just watched a new PBS program - South Pacific in Concert - on Georgia Public Broadcasting. It's part of the latest round of pledge drive specials. It's really a good production, and well worth the time to watch. In this case, we've read the book, seen it on stage (but not with Mary Martin), seen the movie, and now have seen this version. All good, IMHO. Wonderful music, of course!

The Definitive List of Movies from Books

You'll never run out of choices again!

Bill H,

Thanks for the quote. It really is good to have you here posting again.

Ginny,

I haven't gotten very far in the Poseidon book. It flows easily. Once I pick the book up it's hard to put down.

Horselover,

Thank you. What a great list. I am going to bookmark it.

Bev,I read Cradle and All and I thought it was great. I also enjoyed his Alex Cross novels e.g. Four Blind Mice and Kiss the Girls. I'm getting ready to read Pop Goes the Weasel They all star the Alex Cross character. I believe Ginny read Along came a Spider. However, I don't know if any of his books were made into movies . I'll check IMBd and see.

Scootz, I think it will be Joan Pearson leading the Poe group. We are thinking about having a companion Poe story to run with it. However, that has not been decided as of now.

Horselover, like Hats I also thank you for the list.

Thanks Bill..ok...I'll keep an eye out for it in the future.

I went to see the Da Vinci Code. I tried to sit through the whole movie. I made it through 90 minutes. I should have left after the first five to go see my friend Robin Williams in RV.

Dan Brown, if the movie is true to the book, shot darts at legends for 2000 years, shook the picks up in a bag, dumped them on a page, then connected them with dialogue, chases and character introductions. There's no plot. The characters have no depth, they're not even quite characters. The underlying assumptions are incomprehensible. It was boring. The acting was bad. Some reviews said someone stole the show with his acting--it must be someone who shows up after the first 90 minutes.

Ebert is right, there's nothing insulting to Catholics here. And I stand corrected, as it is not Catholic bashing, because there is no more about Catholicism here than the empty costumes of bishops in a costume store the day after Halloween.

I would have been ashamed to take Dan Brown to court claiming he had stolen the basic architecture of my book, and the court was right to find him not guilty of that charge, IMO. There is no architecture.

Maybe the book is better than the movie, but it would have to be so on the scale of 100 year old skyscraper being better for living in than a 2' lego house for a family of 9.

I rented a comparatively great movie to wash the experience out of my mind, Attack of the Saber-Toothed Tiger. It did the job.

Someone in here said the court case was just more of the continued controversy used as a marketing tool by the publisher. I concede your far greater insight into the whole deal.

Kleo

Kleo, I don't think anybody rates the movie too highly. I read the book and I'm glad I waited till the paperback editions hit the market because I didn't waste money on a hardback copy.

I had trouble getting on SN this afternoon did anyone else experience this?

Bill H

Well, I did find a couple of James Patterson's novels made into movies: "Along Came a Spider," released in 2001, and "Kiss the Girls," released in 1997. Both starred Morgan Freeman, who played Alex Cross. These Alex Cross novels are real thrillers.

There may be more of Patterson's novels made into movies but I just did a quick search on IMBd.

I didn't read "Along Came a Spider" but I will.

Bill H

Well, I was hoping it would be really really bad, Bill, so bad it would be campy delightful fun. It's not. It's just boring.

I watched the movie Along Came a Spider, not great, but I found it worth watching. Didn't it have Queen Latifa in it?

Kleo

I don't know. I, unfortunately, have never seen a movie taken from one James Patterson's books. I do like Queen Latifah. I don't care for her music. I like her as an actress. Queen Latifah played in "Chicago."

I read and loved "Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas" by James Patterson. It's a tearjerker. I don't know if it's a movie.

Hats, have you heard Queen Latifah's CD called (I think) the Dana Owens Album? Dana Owens is her "real" name, and on this one she sings old standards. She has a glorious voice, and this is really a good one. Plus, I think she's gorgeous and quite a comic actor. But, I do agree, I don't like the hip-hop stuff that she does.

An interesting review, Kleo of the DaVinci Code from somebody who has not read the book, I am glad to hear that one.

There is a new 3rd season of The House of Eliot if you are fans of that series, I love it, just out, not on Netflix, yet, but I must have it. I love that series. I did not realize how rich it was. Now if STella Gonet would just stop grinning as if she had swallowed a canary it would be better, but I love that series: two sisters enter the world of fashion. It's a good one.

Am going to see Over the Hedges on Thursday they say it's marvelous, I have seen more movies this year than I ever have in my life before. hahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

It does NOT come from a book that I know of so will not discuss it here.

Sideways is getting somewhat sideways, the book that is, but am persevering. I can't wait to watch Lost in America, I think I need to see all the Al Brooks movies. Was that a book? I'd like to read that!

If you're about to watch the Lost in America film for the first time? Do watch for his little hissy fit that includes a "nest egg" concept. Hilarious!!

Since we were talking about Netflix...we got our first two movies a couple of weeks ago, and just watched the first one (Holes) on Sunday. I mailed it back yesterday about noon, and got an e-mail today saying that they had received it. And I've just gotten an e-mail saying that our next one had been mailed and we should get it tomorrow. I did notice that ours were to be mailed back to someplace in GA, so that's not too far away.

Mary Z--I think you are onto how Netflix manages the quick turn around time. Our return address is a town about twelve miles from here.

I'm guessing that they have all manner of places where the DVDs go when they are returned and then a regional (larger) place where they are mailed out. Thus the new movies would be ordered by computer, sent out from the larger place.

Just a guess. but the turn around time fascinates me. One of the benefits of living in the electronic age.

I read somewhere that Walmart operates in much the same way. If you buy a TV there, the exact same one is immediately ordered via the internet to replace the one you bought. UPS has something to do with this as well but I don't remember the details.

Hats, a movie was made from Patterson's "Suzanne's Diary for Nicholas"--2005. It got a very good acknowledgement from those who saw the movie. If you would like to read what was said, and see the entire cast, just use the link below.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0430652/

I worked in the yard just about all day and now I'm tired.

Bill H

Just reminded of two great movies from outstanding books, How Green Was My Valley by Richard Llewellyn, the movie directed by John Ford, and Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird directed by Robert Mulligan.

Kleo

We do love Mockingbird! On our way to the beach every year, we drive near Monroeville, AL, which is Harper Lee's home town, and where she still lives. I always want to drive through there, but just haven't done it yet. Sometime, I'm sure.....

Tonight on USA, we watched The Bone Collector. It's a pretty good movie with Denzel Washington. It's from a book by Jeffrey Deaver. I've just looked him up in our library, and there are several books out with the DWashington character. Guess we'll have to get some of those.

Bill H,

Thank you for the information. I loved the book. I had no idea a movie had been made. This is a good thing.

Mary Z,

Have you seen "John Q?" I don't think it's a book. It's a really good movie with Denzel Washington in it.

I loved the play written by Lorraine Hansberry, Raisin in the Sun. Then, I loved the movie too. I would like to see it again. I can't remember the name of the actors.

Yep, Hats, I've seen that one. Washington is one of the best actors around today, IMHO.

Mary Z,

I agree. Denzel Washington is a very religious man and a family man too. That's good for a change.

It was my day to hit Blockbuster's and get some films for the week. I think the only one I got from a book is "River King" which is from the book of the same name by Alice Hoffman. Yup, I read it, liked it a lot. Did a group with Alice at BNU. She's another lovely lady who accepted any and all interpretations of her writing and was even interested in them! Imagine!

I love Alice Hoffman. I have "River King." I haven't read it yet. I didn't know about the movie either.

What about the movie and book, Doctor Zvivago? Are both good? I wanted to see Doctor Zvivago because of the snow falling, so pretty. Is it a good book and movie?

Hats, I'm glad you asked because I've never read or seen the movie of Dr. Z.

Everything you wanted to know about Netflix and were afraid to ask --

What Netflix Could Teach Hollywood

from the NYT of June 7

Pedln, thanks for the link.

I am getting my next movie today or tomorrow. It's Mr. and Mrs. Smith. I don't think that's a book.

pedln, I couldn't get to the article without signing up. What was the gist of it?

We watched our 2nd Netflix DVD last night - Mystery, Alaska. It's one we had seen before, and hadn't been able to find since. It's a nice little movie (not from a book, though).

Does anybody read Larry McMurtry? We just got our summer fiction edition of The New Yorker, and there's an ad for a new book from him. It's called "Telegraph Days". I checked our library's web site, it's listed as "on order". I placed a hold on it and, amazingly, I'm NUMBER ONE on the holds list. Wow!

In the ad, it gives a quote from Newsweek which says "One of America's most cinematic authors."

Both the book and the movie are excellent. However, Pasternak's prose is so extraordinary that it is hard to make this a picture. Tolstoy wrote the stories of Russia, but Russians are a passionate people about writing. And Pasternak, stylistically, touches the soul of Russians with his prose. This is why not even Stalin could really touch him.

Nonetheless, I find both excellent.

Kleo

Those of you who like Denzel Washington should watch "The Pelican Brief" if you haven't already seen it.

Hats, The book and movie of "Doctor Zhivago" are both good, but see the original movie, not the remake.

Horselover,I suppose that's the one starring Omar Sharif. He is soooo handsome. That's beside the point.

I might have seen "Pelican Brief." I will check and make sure. How many of John Grisham's books have been made into movies? Almost all?

Kleo, thank you for the excellent review.

Believe it or not, I am a new fan of PHC. I used to call it, those funny people on NPR Sunday mornings, not even knowing what I was listening to.

As far as I know, PHC was not a book, is this right? But LAKE WOEBEGONE DAYS was? How are these two connected?

At any rate, we will be seeing the movie of PHC this weekend. Has a great cast with Kevin Klein, Meryl Streep, Lindsay Lohan, and others.

Prairie Home Companion is written and produced by Garrison Keillor, who wrote the book "Lake Woebegone Days." The book is an account of the fictional place that makes up his monologue at the end of PHC.

PHC, the movie, is the result of Robert Altman's wife's idea. She is a fan. RA & GK got together to create this story. GK wanted it to be about Lake aWoebegone, I've heard, but they compromised and the movie is about a broadcast of PHC. Have you ever heard their annual joke show? More corny jokes than you can ocunt but I fall over laughing! Let us know about the movie.

Thanks both of you for the info on PHC.

Mrs S- is that joke show on NPR?

Last week I watched a performance of PHC on PBS. Did you guys see that? It was fun to put faces to all the voices. Great piano playing, too- wowzers!

The movie got a very good review in our paper. B+ which is very high.

Scootz, I missed it! Maybe it will be repeated. Yes, the joke show is on NPR, and it is usually repeated when they go into summer rerun mode. The music is always good and varied: cajun, yodelling, opera, rock, etc.

I will keep an ear open for it. Please alert me if you hear anything, ok? NPR is something that I don't listen to every single day. Just on andoff.

I saw that you said this on the fiction board:

I've been gorging myself on her books, Shell Seekers, Coming Home, September, and Winter Solstice

This is such a coincidence but Winter Solstice is one of my films from BBuster this week. I picked it because Anthony Lapaglia is in it. Was the book about a guy losing his wife, he gets involved with a new neighbor?

Today's USA Today had a review of PHC, but did not give it many good points. The reviewer thought there was too much Garrison Keilor and not enough of the rest of the all star cast. I still want to see it.

Have any of you seen the film of the Shell Seekers? After reading the above post I went to see if Netflix has it -- they do -- but all the reviews gave it one star our of five, saying it was a great book but a terrible film adaptation. Stars Angela Lansbury.

Horselover, "Pelican Brief" with D. Washington is my favorite of all of the films made from John Grisham's books.

Mary, sorry you couldn't retrieve the Netflix article. Basically what it said was that due to the Netflix ratings system based on customer likes and dislikes, many films are given a second chance just because they are good, even if they didn't have a long box office life.

Also, some interesting statistics. Total DVDs at Netflix -- 60,000.
Average daily rental -- 35,000 to 40,000.
5 million families have accounts
39 distribution warehouses -- that's why they are so speedy, even tho they send and receive 700 million of those envelopes each year.
Compare these figures with Hollywood's downloadable promotions -- Movielink has 1500 movies to download; Comcast has 800 titles in its Videos on Demand.
The CEO says that eventually downloads may give them some real competition, but not for a number of years.

The Shellseekers was a Hallmark Hall of Fame TV movie. I enjoyed it and the book. The book has so much more depth and insight to the characters.

Our newspaper reviewer liked A Prairie Home Companion. I am looking forward to seeing it.

We just watched Grisham's The Runaway Jury on TNT tonight. We read it a long time ago, and remember it's being one of our favorite Grisham book. And it's a good movie, too - great cast. Gene Hackman does play a wonderful villain!

In today's WSJ weekend online film reviewer Joe Morgenstern bemoans the lack of showmanship in today's films and asks "where are the great, irresistible events to look forward to?" referring to this summer's agenda. A sidebar, however, lists three, available on DVD, that will get your attention and hold it. --
The Man Who Would Be King based on the Kipling short story, starring Sean Connery and Michael Caine, and
House on Haunted Hill -- the Vincent Price version, and Federico Fellini's 8 1/2.

I do love The Man Who Would be King. But what's not to like with Connery, Caine, and Kipling

Scootz: Winter Solstice stars Elfrida, a retired actress, and Oscar, a retired church organist. Dear friends, their relationship blooms when Oscar loses both his wife and his darling daughter, Francesca, in a tragic accident. Oscar's wife had neglected to revise her will so Oscar loses his home and has a pittance of a pension to live on. He and Elfrida seek solutions to these problems with far reaching and unintended consequences. Does this sound like the movie? Was the movie good? The book certainly is hard to put down.

MrsS-

After I posted, I noticed on the dvd case that this isn't the same story. The movie was ok, nothing to write home about. But that book sure sounds good!

Pedln, "The Man Who Would Be King" is a wonderful adaptation of the Kipling story.

Last night, I watched the movie, "Crash," which won the academy award last year. I don't know if this came from a book, but it was one of the most depressing movies I have ever seen. It tries to redeem some of the characters at the end, but the overall effect is one of despair for the human race. Try not to watch it late at night!

horselover--It just goes to show you how many different kinds of movies appeal to different people. I loved Crash and though it was perhaps somewhat exaggerated, an accurate view of prejudice in the U.S.A. I especially appreciated the ensemble acting.

Not based on a book. Paul Haggis wrote and directed it.

Deems, I don't think "Crash" is a bad movie; it's just quite depressing. Maybe because, as you say, it could be an 'accurate view of prejudice in the U.S.A.' It was interesting the way the segments of the plot were so well integrated. However, I agree with you that it presents an exaggerated picture of race relations--one which I hope is not true everywhere.

I spoke too soon! Sideways just took a total SIDEWAYS slant, wow, almost porn here, nasty too, the author keeps you hopping sideways hahaahaa

In the BOOK it's Miles who breaks Jack's nose and Jack already has a rib fractured from his encounter with the boar hunter.

Babs, his intended, is going to receive 500,000 dollars on her wedding day but it APPEARS there may be a hitch in that get along. Miles calls his ex and she calls him back (this is different, too) and says he should stay away from the wedding, at which he was to be best man.

Quite a few differences including Jack's paramour is blonde.

If you have spent any time in Los Angeles in recent years, you know that "Crash" is not an exaggeration, as far as race relations are concerned. Did you know that there are almost 10 million people in L.A. County? The minority communities are HUGE, and very controlling of their particular sections of the city. Believe me, everyone stays in their own community, and nobody crosses a line into anywhere else unless absolutely necessary. I visit there about 4 or 5 times a year, and I'm always shocked at so many things that I see that I couldn't begin to go into them all. It gets worse everytime I visit, and yet the people keep pouring in from all over the world.

Marilyne, I've always believed that when people say "California" they mean Los Angeles. Having lived for 60+ years in Northern California I can attest that it ain't the same. To northerners its like going to a foreign country. A sociologist did a study comparing north and south, I think it was in the 70's. Northern California was strongly influenced by Italian and Portugese immigrants, the climate is similar. So there were lots of Catholics, but ti was also very cosmopolitan. Southern California was settled mainly by mid-westerners escaping the harsh winters. There was more of a hedonistic attitude. The increasing internationalism of California has relaxed these stereotypes. I was surprised when I moved to Oregon to find few brown faces, many, many redheads, and lots of blue eyes. No saris, not kameez, no vietnamese names. Lots of good Mexican restaurants but the Chinese restaurants serve very bland food.

MrsSherlock - Looks like we chased everyone away, after my little tirade on life in Los Angeles! LOL! Anyway, thanks for your response. I truly believe that "Crash" is a very important movie, but I'm afraid that only people who live in large cities are going to relate to it. I agree with you that Northern and Southern Cal, are like two different worlds. I wish they would divide the state into two separate states like they're always talking about doing, But I doubt that it will ever happen - certainly not in my lifetime!

Whereabouts did you live in Northern Cal? I live near San Jose, and have been here since the l950's. But I was born in Los Angeles, and grew up there. I will always have a love for what was once a beautiful, friendly and peaceful city. Now more like a meanspirited, warring Third World country.

I truly believe that "Crash" is a very important movie, but I'm afraid that only people who live in large cities are going to relate to it.

I agree with you about the import of "Crash." I'm glad that it won the Acadamy Award for that reason--perhaps more people will see it. What is particularly important is watching how nothing is completely "black and white" (no pun intended) and that circumstances bring out the best or the worst in us.

(BTW, I'm in Davis, so another No. Californian, but I was born and raised in SF, so I never had that LA experience for any extended period of time.)

Marilyne, I agree that the problems portrayed in "Crash" are more visible in big cities such as Los Angeles and New York. Prejudice exists in N.California towns and in the suburbs of NY, but it is generally invisible.

Bev, did I tell you that my niece and her husband both teach at UCDavis (they live in Woodlands)? And John's two nieces went there, and are now living in Auburn. It is a small world, isn't it! And SeniorNet makes it ever so much more so!

No! You hadn't told me that. It is a small world.

I finished, as noted in the Book Nook, Sideways, and there are quite a few differences in the book from the movie but now am going to watch the movie again so I can better appreciate what was done. It seems the author thought the movie was a good representation of the book . I am seeing only a few things changed. For instance in the book Maya comes to the wedding and Miles's former wife sees her with him, that is not in the movie unless I missed a major scene.

So I'm going to watch it again it today and see.

Oh I have discovered the joy of the DVD and the recumbent bicycle! Yes I bought this super Nordic Track thing and it's marvelous and you CAN prop a DVD player on the console and just enjoy while you pedal away! I hit 20 minutes for the first time last night and barely missed it, watching Albert Brooks in Lost in America, (although I must admit when I got up I could hardly stand) haahaha It has differently programmed things, like climbing a mountain then the summit and then the slope down, it's quite fun.

It's one of the best things I ever bought and now that I can watch DVD's on it, I have a feeling I will be watching more movies. It's hard to READ on it, there's no place (it's too far away) to prop a book you have to hold it, does not work, but it's OK for magazines and going thru the mail.

On the strength of the recommendations here, I picked up a paperback of The Devil Wore Prada to take to the beach. I don't know that I'll watch the movie, though. I really dislike Meryl Streep and tend to avoid anything that she's in.

Ginny, when I "ride" the recumbent bicycle at the Y, I take a book. The console on the machines there have a ledge in front of the read-out, so I can prop up my book. Otherwise, I'd be at the mercy of the TVs in the fitness center tuned to programs that I don't want to watch.

But your DVD player at home sounds great, too. Now you really need it hooked up to a generator, so it only runs on the power that you generate with the bicycle

. That's really be cruel!

You got THAT right, I doubt it would advance a frame! hahaha I JUST discovered that the "mountain climbing effect" works even IF you don't pedal up to speed? So in other words you are pedaling along but it MAY be that you are not up to par (that level 5 resistance is HARD) why then you slow down but keep going and by jingo it moves right on!

Yes this one has a ledge too but I can't see the print, it's too far away, being set so one's long legs can actually pedal. If I ran it up where my knees were under my chin I could do it but this is recumbent and so are my eyes. ahahahaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Let us know how you liked The Devil Wears Prada. You will never see the name An dre ah again without thinking of it!

Too bad it doesn't work under water. Laps can be so boring. My Airdyne (bike) actually has a book holder on it, but the pages keep flapping, even at level 1, And, just a tad hard to read.

Recumbant -- is that lying down?

It looks like DVDs (in their current format) will be with us for a few more years As DVD Sales Slow, Hollywood Hunts for a New Cash Cow

And here's a new oldie (based on an Italian novel -graphic?) just out on DVD.

Cemetery Man

pedln, I have to use bull-dog clips to hold my books open in any case - my hands won't let me use a finger or thumb hooked over an edge. On a recumbent bicycle, you lean back just a little bit, rather than lean over the handlebars; and your feet are more out in front, rather than straight down under you. Our bicycling daughter rides a recumbent bike on the road. Here are some pictures...

http://www.rans.com/

Marilyne, You said, "I live near San Jose," Whereabouts???

Sideways on "Sideways:"

What a surprise, this time around I am surprised that I like "Sideways," the movie, having read the book, the movie now is more understandable.

I think Paul Giamatti IS Miles, he's perfect, did he get a nomination for an Oscar? I need to look that one up. Less sure on Thomas Hayden Church, but I am really enjoying the movie. Wonderful scenes, wonderful light quality and then last night I found an interview with the actors and Director and what they were aiming for, it's quite interesting.

So far, two thumbs up, it's just amazing the difference in experience.

Here is some additional trivia from the film I thought was interesting : all of this is from IMDb

George Clooney campaigned for the part of Jack, but Alexander Payne thought Clooney was too big a star. 'Thomas Haden-Church' ("Jack") was in retirement from film concentrating on voiceover work when he received the phone call from 'Alexander Payne' to audition for the role of Jack. Haden-Church was a finalist for a role in About Schmidt (2002), another Payne film, and Payne wanted to use the actor in one of his films.

Here is what Bev was talking about, I have gone nuts trying to catch the names so I could look up the joke!

The 1961 Cheval Blanc that Miles is saving for a special event is blended from Merlot and Cabernet Franc, the two grape varietals that Miles specifically downgrades during the movie.

The guys visit "Frass Canyon" vineyards, which Miles describes with a sneer. "Frass" is insect excrement.

The picture that Miles (Paul Giamatti) looks at when at his mother's home is actually a picture of Paul Giamatti and his father (former Commissioner of Major League Baseball) Bart Giamatti.

The food that Miles, Jack and Mile's mother consume during the dinner at Miles' mother's house gave the three actors food poisoning.

This is the first film to win best screenplay from all five "major" critic groups (National Board Of Review, New York, Los Angeles, Broadcast and National Society Critics), the Golden Globes, the WGA and, ultimately, the Academy Awards where it won Best Writing, Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published. It was also nominated for best film, best director, best supporting actor (Thomas Hayden Church) and actress ( Virginia Madsden) Apparently Paul Giamatti, who ran away with the film, was apparently not one of the nominations.

When Miles hits the ball back at the golfers behind them, the person who actually hit the ball was Rex Pickett, author of the novel the film was based on. He claims that Paul Giamatti's exceptionally poor golf form made it impossible for him to accomplish the shot.

Most of the wine used in the wine-tasting scenes was non-alcoholic. The actors wound up drinking so much of it that it made them nauseated (and had to periodically switch to the real thing to clean out their palates).

Continuity: Miles's mother's hair color changes between greeting Miles and Jack, and serving them dinner.

Continuity: When Miles caresses the cluster of grapes, you can see that the yeast has already been removed from the outside of the grapes by the stroking of his thumb from a previous take.

Revealing mistakes: As Miles and Jack drive from Los Angeles to Oxnard, the sun is shining in both sides of the car and shadows from the scenery to the right and left all fall on the road.

There are literally tons of filming mistakes listed on IMDb. It would seem some people look at movies VERY carefully!!

The novel Sideways was rejected by 15 publishers.

Ginny: I'm so glad that you changed your mind about "Sideways"! I liked it the first time I saw it, but when I watched it again a few months later, I liked it even more. I agree that Paul Giamatti was perfect in the role of Miles, and T.H. Church was good too. Sometimes it takes more than one viewing to really get to know the characters. Now you've inspired me to read the book, which I plan to do as soon as I can find it.

horselover: I live in Los Gatos - where do you live?

Re: Sideways -- I don't know if I want to read the book, but Ginny has convinced me to give the movie a second shot.

Tonight, on CBS at 7 CT...

100 Years...100 Cheers

Just back from Blockbuster where I got three movies from books.

The Bridges of San Luis Rey -it's a 2005 production, must be like an HBO movie or somesuch.

Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress- read the book, loved it, pumped to see the movie.

Everything Is Illuminated

Three gems, I hope. Colby and I are going to draw the blinds, and have a nap. I am exhausted! :0<<<me, yawning

Ray and I watched The Brother's Grimm tonight. It was a light fantasy movie. What was fun was the little 'scenes' that are from their stories.

Marilyne, I am in Cupertino, and so is Judy. We sometimes meet for lunch or coffee if you would like to join us. Los Gatos is pretty close.

Almost all the Jane Austin books have been made into good movies--some more than once.

Horselover, I love all the Jane Austen books and movies too. Gwyneth Paltrow is a good actress. I think she lost her father not too long ago. Of course, Tiger Woods lost his father too. That's off topic.

horselover - Yes, I'd like to meet you for lunch or for a cup of coffee at Starbuck's, etc. Thanks for asking. I'll send you an email.

A new Curious Minds discussion has started. It is about antiques and classics and, if you would care to join in, please use the link below

ANTIQUES

Bill H

This is an interesting and very different little film. I say "little", because it's one of those that played only in the art theaters, and then went straight to video. No one ever had a chance to see it or even hear about it, unless they happen to watch Ebert and Roeper.

The novel (or novella, as they call it) was written by Steve Martin, who also wrote the screenplay and starred in the movie. It's a serious role for him, which is both good and bad. Because we're all used to seeing him in comedies, it's hard to accept him in a straight dramatic role. But he did a good job, IMO, and I would definitely recommend the movie.

The title role of the shop girl, is played by Claire Danes, who was perfect, and who is surely one of the best of the young actresses. The bizarre and kooky guy in the story, (a role usually played by Martin), was played by Jason Schwartzman. I didn't care for his character much - he didn't seem real to me at all, or maybe was just overacting?

The only criticism I would give the movie (besides Schwartzman) would be that Steve Martin was so LOW KEY, that he was verging on comatose in some of the scenes. I've heard that comedians like Martin, Robin Williams and Bill Murray have a difficult time with straight drama, because audiences expect and want them to be funny. So they end up going to extremes to be convincingly dramatic. Remember Murray in "Lost in Translation"? Same type of acting from Martin.

I havn't read the book yet, but I've placed it on hold at the library, and I'm looking forward to reading it.

Marilyne, I would like to see and read "Shop girl."

I have never read "Scarlet Pimpernel." I have seen the movie. I bet some of you have read and seen the movie. I want to read the book.

What a funny conincidence! I just this week picked up Scarlet Pimpernel at my favorite used book store (fubs). There are several versions of the movie in IMDb, but the 1934 version stars Leslie Howard, Merle Oberon and Raymond Massey. That one sounds great! This was originally a play, opening in 1905. The novel followed three years later. Netflix has it! The 1934 version. It's going on my list. What an exciting place is SeniorNet!

Mrs. Sherlock, I will get the 1934 movie too. I didn't know about the play.

I just got the DVD of "A Place in the Sun." This movie comes from a book by Theodore Dreiser called "An American Tragedy" starring Montgomery Clift and Elizabeth Taylor. I remember reading the book and seeing the movie years ago. I'll let you know what I think of it now. According to the box copy, it won six academy awards, including best director. For those of you who like Shelley Winters, she also was in this movie.

Horselover-

I have had AATragedy on my shelf for years but have never gotten around to it. Did you enjoy the book? I've heard conflicting reports. I'll be anxious to hear what you think of the movie- it must be good with all those awards.

Yesterday, I watched a recent dvd of Thornton Wilder's THE BRIDGE OF SAN LUIS REY. Now, the only thing I knew about Wilder was OUR TOWN. Who knew he wrote something so captivating as this story? Five people fall into a huge gorge from the swinging rope bridge of the title. Father Juniper researches all the five lives and how they connect to see how they all came to be at their death's door at the same time. I really enjoyed it. Good actors- De Niro, Gabriel Byrne, Kathy Bates, Geraldine Chaplin, Harvey Keitel, F. Murray Abraham, et al. I think this must have been made for tv as I don't recall it being at theaters.

The book itself is small, under 200 pages, and won a Pulitzer, I believe. Who knew? Not me!

Scootz, The Bridge at San Luis Rey has been made into a movie several times - 1929, 1944, and 2004. You obviously saw the 2004 version. The one I remembered was the 1944 version. Here's the IMDb LINK to the IMDb page about different versions.

Thanks MaryZ- interesting. My version says "not for the passive viewer". Now what the hey does that mean??

Got me, Scootz! I haven't a clue.

"not for the passive viewer".Now what the hey does that mean?? -- Pay attention? Be involved?

Just came from WSJ and Joe Morgenstern's column. He'd been to a theatre this week and was so provoked by all the kids there talking on cell phones, IMing, etc. Kind of passive viewing? A generation of multi-taskers. He says Hollywood needs to concentrate more on the over-35s, who don't watch that way, who aren't passive viewers.

His good news is that a new All the King's Men is coming out this fall -- starring" TA DUM TA DUM ---- Sean Penn. Won't that be a fun comparison to make.

He also recommended an "oldie" (1998 Best Director -Atom Egoyan- nominee) The Sweet Hereafter, based on a Russell Banks novel. I'm not familiar with either book or film. Are you? About the aftermath of a tragic bus accident.

Oh, I would love to see "All the King's Men" by RPW. I read the book a long time ago. I would like to reread it before seeing the movie.

Pedln thank you.

pedln,

Last year when I saw that Sean Penn was making ALL THE KING'S MEN, I rushed out, got the book and waited for the film to come out in DEcemeber. Wrong! I was postponed and I was so disappointed. I look forward to it this year (I hope).Are you a Penn fan as I am?

I recentl mentioned RUSSELL BANKS as a great contemporary writer. I saw TSH but didn't like it. See or read his AFFLICTION. Both better book/movie, imho.

Scootz - 06:54am Jun 24, 2006 PT (#785 of 785) "Nobody goes there anymore;it's too crowded."-Yogi Berra pedln,

Yes, Cache' is one I definitely want to see and my kind of film. Mostly, I go to our independent film theater here in Plano. I'm not for much for mainstream films as a rule. And I won't see anything violent.

I'm about to go do some ironing and will watch the one with ballroom dancing with kids- can't recall the name of it. Hub wants to see Memoirs of a Geisha so I'll wait on that one till tonight. I also got Casanova and Chicken Little. I think they may have changed the ending on the Chicken Little book, I'll let you know.

This is a link to the theater I attend- I am so very lucky- it's within ten minutes from my house. You can see the listings of what's showing now. I missed Cache when it was here so thanks for the headsup. I'm going to try and get it this week.

I want to see Wordplay since I'm a crossword/Scrabble freak. Even my hub wants to see that one, so I'll jump on that opportunity.

My Indy Theater

Oh Scootz, how great that you have such a nifty theatre. Do they offer captions for deaf and hearing impaired? Not many theatres do. I would love to see the movie "Keeping Up with the Steins." Years ago when we lived in Puerto Rico, and my oldest was about 12 or 13, she was invited to the Bar Mitzvah of the son of one of the "old" well-to-do families in San Juan. It was a two-day affair, culminating with a private dinner and performance by Phyllis Diller. As another mom said, "they're spending on this what we paid for our houses."

Re: Wordplay -- I sure hope they caption that DVD, although that doesn't always happen with documentaries. One of our Latin students, Manny Nosowsky, also constructs crossword puzzles, and went to a convention this spring that a lot of the "Wordplay" people attended. Did you see the interview with Will Shortz in yesterday's NYT? He talked about Wordplay and the celebrities they interviewed for it.

Did you see the interview with Will Shortz in yesterday's NYT?

No, are you able to post it, perhaps? Do you see it online or do you get the paper?

Just back from seeing Prairie Home Companion- one of the rare times when the movie was better than what I expected. A total hoot, wonderful music, the works!! Dan and I both loved it.

I can't wait till Ginny gets back. I am getting DEVIL WEARS PRADA for my birthday (Dan has put it away till it comes) and then I'll see the movie. We can discuss it, Ginny!!

Devil Wears Prada? Is that available on DVD already? I didn't think it had actually opened in the theatres yet.

DEVIL opens next Friday.

It's been so long since I read this book that I don't know now how to compare the book and movie. My hub didn't care for it so much- too much girl stuff, I think. And he has travelled extensively in Japan but it just didn't turn him on at all.

This has to be the most visually stunning movie I ever saw. Every frame is a beauteous wonder. Took my breath away.

I also watched Chicken Little yesterday morning. Totally hilarious! Not like the book at all!

Scootz, here's the link for the Will Shortz (Wordplay) interview. The NYT is free (most of it), but you must register for it.

Will Shortz interview

pedln,

Thanks! I wasn't sure if you had seem my question about that or not. Dan ran up to Starbuck's for me this a.m. and got me a NYT as I was just "in the mood" for it today. Can you get all the book review and crossword online?

I can get everything except the crossword. That costs extra, except I understand they have a free one on MOndays. I don't do crosswords so much, but am a Sudoku addict.

I paid $40 extra last year sometime when they (NYT) was starting up their "Select" which would allow access to certain columnists like Maureen Dowd and David Brooks. I really love it because now I can access any article back to 1981 ( and they're working on having it back to the 1800's) and also, I can "save" articles on the Times server.

Most book and film reviews going back forever are available free, just for registering. Back news articles for a month.

Scootz, I've written about Geisha before. IMHO, the book and the movie are just different. We were just talking about it here. The movie is certainly one of the most stunningly beautiful movie we have ever seen. The book is a magnificent book. I recommend both highly. But there was no way the movie could portray the scope of the book. And we just accept them as two different things, and don't worry about comparing them.

Scootz, AATragedy was a pretty good adaptation of the book. It is a sad story, but worth watching just to see Elizabeth Taylor in all her youthful beauty. Unfortunately, it's in black and white, so you have to imagine those violet eyes. I saw her recently on Larry King Live, and the contrast is quite startling. Time does steal youth and beauty from us all.

Mary Z-

Because the topic here is supposed to be books into movies, i felt I should make a comparison.

But imho, comparing the two forms of art rather trivializes each form. I don't expect a movie to be as "good as the book" any more. And btw- in the book, I thought she was involved for a long time with an older gent. But it has been a loooong time since I read it.

horselover-I saw Liz on Larry Link also. She certainly has had quite a life, hasn't she? One of these days, I'll read the book.

1. Bull Durham

2. The Sandlot

3. The Natural

4. Fields of ??????

5. Anything humorous! We need a lot of humor just to get through the days of summer!

I, loved the Geisha movie and book but for different reasons,too, MaryZ. The movie's cinematography was stunningly beautiful.

I found "Good Night and Good Luck" extrememly dry so just didn't care for it. Most of us know that story so well already.

I have been reading the posts from Jun 1 on and was so surprised to see some discussing "The Graduate" from long ago. It was one of my favorite of those times and the music was wonderful. Who were those guys that wrote all the music??? Simon and Garfunkel! Oh yes, they were so good! Remembering not only Mrs Robinson but Sound of Silence and Are You Going to Scarborough Fair! Wonderful stuff!

Remember Benjamin reserving the room in the hotel with his toothbrush in his top pocket? And then you hear him brushing his teeth while Anne Bancroft awaits him in the bed!! Good stuff!

Ann Alden, It's Field of Dreams - and we, too, watch it whenever it's on - at least parts of it.

Re Simon & Garfunkel - Paul Simon is still going strong and writing wonderful music.

Just bought Paul Simon's new cd two weeks ago- it's great!

Saw him here in concert a few years back. I love his music.

My husband wants to see CARS but we will wait for our grans to buy it and then borrow. I also want to see "Prairie Home Companion" as I follow that show on many Saturday nights or Sunday mornings and have been since 1980. Garrison Keilor is a genius with humor and the people of the world. OMHO, the show is probably the cleverest program on the airwaves.

Oh GO see Prairie Home Companion. If you love the radio show, you'll love the movie!

I see that Bee Season is out on dvd. Did I see someone saying it was a real stinker? I didn't get it before I checked with y'all.

Bee Season - I disliked the book, so had no desire to see the movie. A very distasteful and unpleasant bunch of characters in the book, IMO. I was surprised to hear that it was even made into a movie, and if they followed the book, I can sure see why it was a box office flop.

Re: Liz Taylor - what I like about her now is that she has no fear showing that she has a social conscience and takes on a lot of causes. isak

A friend of mine saw Bee Season the other night. "What was that book about the spelling bee you told me was so good?" She got it mixed up with Spellbound, did not like Bee Season at all, very depressing.

The book wasn't so good either. Very dysfuntional family. But isn't it interesting the movies and DVDs that are out about spelling and words -- including also "Akeelah and the Bee' and Wordplay.

I think Liz Taylor is gorgeous at every age, right now, back then, stunning in black and white, stunning in color.

It was funny, though, when they remade Father of the Bride. Without a young Elizabeth Taylor was there any point? The universe didn't revolve around the second bride. How could it when it is already fixed in orbit around Ms. Taylor?

Kleo

The Other Boleyn Girl by Philippa Gregory is being made into a movie

Philippa Gregory.

In eager anticipation of your return, I raided my birthday gifts today where my husband had "hidden" them and began reading THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA. I have been reading AND LADIES OF THE CLUB, and those gals are ok, but these women in TDWP are hilarious!

I cannot wait till you return so we can "dish" or whatev about all the people in the fashion industry. Did you see today's USA Today? Big front page article about the movie. Streep is apparently over the top in this one- in a good way. It opens Friday. I can't see it till I finish the book so I better get busy!

...so says our DMN today and gives THE DEVIL WEARS PRADA a B+ (which is a high grade for our critics).

I'm over half way through the book and trying to finish to be able to see it Sunday or Monday. Saturday night we go out on the boat and see fireworks on the lake- it's late night for us early-to bedders- so I know I'll not be seeing the movie till after I get over that!

I read the other day that Streep purposefully stayed "aloof" from the rest of the cast during filming so as to set herself apart from them and make being mean and nasty easier. Good strategy. I'm a fan of hers, and she was just wonderful also in Prairie Home Companion- is there anything the woman can't do? She's so dang versatile and can seemingly play any role. Not just a pretty face like so many actresses nowadays who seem to be always playing the same part over and over. (to me, Jennifer Aniston is always Rachel from Friends, no matter what she plays- she sounds and acts the same to me .)

I avoided this book for a long time since I don't really like or do "chick lit" but the movie made me want to read the book and be able to dish about both here, so I did. Now, if only Ginny would return so I'd have someone to dish with. Can't be long now.

The book is amusing- not something I'd go recommend to people since it's not my normal thing. I am anxious to see the movie and bet it's going to stay very true to the book.

_____________________________________________________________________

Speaking of movies (and I was) I wanted to remention a movie coming out at holday time about Beatrix Potter. I was reminded yesterday by the gals at B&N who loved the mysteries about her by Albert that I told them about. (I myself forgot all about it.) But, yesterday I ordered at used amazon and picture book of Potter and her England and a bio of her. Both books together were $15, including postage so i thought this was a great deal. I need to squeeze these in before December so I will be ready to see the movie.

In case anyone's interested, here's what I ordered:

AT HOME WITH BEATRIX POTTER

and

Beatrix Potter Bio

Scootz, the Beatrix Potter is really nice. Thank you for the link.

I started The Devil Wears Prada, and gave up. I guess I'm out of sync with the rest of the world or something. I have no clue about all those brand names they're talking about and no interest in finding out what they are. The situation of the story might be interesting, but I can't seem to find a story line most of the time. Sorry to be a grump.

Sorry to be a grump.

No problemo, Mary. I can totally understand your comments.(And for what it's worth, you expressed your opposing opinion very frankly, but respectfully, Big difference to a person saying "UGH, I hate that stuff, what a waste!") If it weren't for the movie, I'd never have bought the book. The shallowness of the people involved is off-putting, to say the very least. But it is supposed to be based on a young girl's real life assistant-ship to a high powered fashion editor. I have to wonder how true it is and I'm afraid it's probably exactly how those poeple behave.

My husband commented this morning that Naomi Campbell has this image. It must be a total other world and I doubt those women are very grounded as to their real worth, unfortunately.

Scootz - like you say, it might be a true reflection of that "world". And, again, I just wasn't interested. Sort of why they make chocolate and vanilla ice-cream - choices, choices, choices.

Mary, there's a lot in books and films that put me in the dinosaur class -- I don't know many brands and fewer show biz faces.

The past two nights I've been watching the DVD of Brokeback Mountain -- Ang Lee's film based on the short story by Annie Proulx. I did recognize the screen writer, but can't remember who it was. I thought it was very well done, everything, but incredibly sad. (And now this morning I can't tell you who played in it. I never did know their names.)

Re: "Brokeback Mountain--"

Jake Gyllenhaal (Jill en hall) played the shorter one who dies. He was Swoford in "Jarhead," a movie about Marines in Desert Storm.

Heath Ledger played the taller one. He was the lead in "Casanova," released the same year (2005).

Fans of Gyllenhaal call themselves "gyllenhaalics"

I just got "Prada", yesterday. and will definitely start it today. I hear it's a fast read, so I may check in later and give you all my sage opinion.

From what I've heard about it, the characters are SUPPOSED to be shallow, which is a reflection of the fashion industry in general. No different from what life must be like working for or with, Movie Stars or Rock stars or TV Divas. Speaking of which - I got a kick out of all the media attention this week give to Star Jones and Barbara Walter's little public display on "The View". Just an real example of the back stabbing that must go on all the time in all of those "show businesses" - particularly with women. I've never seen "The View", but I guess it's extremely popular with women of all ages.

The young actress in "Prada" is Ann Hathaway, who also played wife Jake Gyllenhall's wife in "Brokeback".

Deems- where have you been, girl? Did you complete THE MASTER, and how did you like it?

Cathie, a self proclaimed Gyllenhallic and Deppaholic

Hiya Scootz--I've been absent with family stuff, now calmed down somewhat. Good to be back.

I really did like The Master but keep in mind that I listened to it. Had I been reading it, I think I might have felt suffocated. If you've read some of James, the book is spot on in describing the claustrophobia of his own life.

Who is Star Jones and what's her contribution to the world? I saw that she was appearing on some talk show. (BTW, did you see the article that said "older" women who watched soap operas and talk shows did not have the same cognitive skills as those who watch news broadcasts -- for sure, coming out in the Southern Medical JOurnal)

Heath Ledger in Casanova was truly marvelous, funny, and lovable.
The movie is "ok" for anyone, there's surprisingly nothing too sexy, if you don't like that stuff on the screen (I don't). Just a nun screaming as he leaves her cell, for example, because she doesn't want him to leave!
I watched it with my 30-year old daughter, as we thought it was a chick flick, but it wasn't!
It was more like a comedy of Shakespeare, writ large, if you know what I mean. It's worth renting.

Pedln - The only thing I know about Star Jones, is that she is first and foremost, a lawyer. Then got into TV doing those lawyer "talking heads" news shows on the cable channels. The View, is apparently a daytime show for women, headed up by Barbara Walters, and Star is (was) one of the regulars. I don't recognize the names of the other four women, and as I said, have never seen it. We don't watch TV during the day at all. It doesn't get turned on until the local news at 5:00 PM. Both my husband and I like to listen to the radio during the day.

I second what Mippy said about "Casanova." It is funny, very like Shakespeare's comedies, fast moving, and very entertaining.

Good gosh! I just took Casanova back for Pete's sake, unseen! I guess I'll have to get it again this week.

I'm anxiously awaiting someone else's comments after viewing Cache'. Nuff said.

I just finished DEVIL blah blah blah. Skimmed the last third and read just the dialogue. Way, way, way over that top for me in terms of a caricature. I'll enjoy seeing Streep play this part but as for the book- meh!

"From what I've heard about it, the characters are SUPPOSED to be shallow, which is a reflection of the fashion industry in general. No different from what life must be like working for or with, Movie Stars or Rock stars or TV Divas. Speaking of which - I got a kick out of all the media attention this week give to Star Jones and Barbara Walter's little public display on "The View". Just an real example of the back stabbing that must go on all the time in all of those "show businesses" - particularly with women."

People in show business, the fashion world, rock stars and television stars are not necessarily more shallow than the rest of the world. It can be easy to think that from the publicity surrounding the star industry in the tabloid press, however, they're not superhuman or subhuman. They're as human as the rest of us. I've worked in the music industry with rock stars, in the fashion industry with models and in show business on and off most of my life.

Many actors have classical training and read and devour Shakespeare--I may not find anyone to read Shakespeare with on SeniorNet, but no serious loss, as I can always find someone reading Shakespeare among my acting friends. And actors read literature in a different way, often trying to get to the very soul of the character's motives, never the authors. This is why I don't read a lot of author biography, because I'm used to reading literature this way: treating the characters as whole and entire creations. It's intense. It's fun.

Rock musicians who write music often read poetry. I've read and discussed Shelly and Keats and Rimbaud with a surprising group of musicians. In fact, I was introduced to Rimbaud's poetry by Iggy Pop. And other great poets by other rock stars.

Models are not all air-heads, and are not all shallow. The publishing end of fashion is different from the modelling end, though, and I know very little about that part of the world--what Prada is about, methinks.

When I lived in San Francisco as a young adult 5 of my friends were women who came through after fashion weeks in Milan, Paris and New York to party and hang out. We had a consuming passion for Victor Hugo, Dostoevsky, and Dickens, what we called "the truly great depression." It was wonderful fun to take the bus downtown and meet them at the Mark Hopkins to watch everyone dumping out the books they had been reading on planes between runways and then go watch movies, get coffee, and compare and contrast Jean Valjean and Raskolnikov and David Copperfield--an unforgettable summer in San Francisco, when I'll never forget what the air and the sun felt like, how the traffic sounded, as we sat for hours in a sandwich shop on Market Street with these 19th century men who wore their respective fates so heavily.

I know it's easy to jump to the conclusion that this is an industry of the brainless, but it's simply not true. Most actors and musicians and models and editors are not so different from you and me, other than they live their lives in public--something that makes them very different. Take off the make-up, turn off the camera and the microphones and the amps and you have someone's daughter, someone's brother, a son, a father, a friend. A fellow human being.

Kleo

Yesterday I did see The Devil Wears Prada and the theater was so packed that every seat was taken. It has been a LONG time since I was surrounded by people in a movie. The DaVinci Code was nowhere near it.

I enjoyed the movie and I enjoyed Meryl Streep. Today's USA Today for this weekend barely gives it 2 ½ stars out of 4, but I liked the movie. It's not like the book tho?

Major departures. Meryl Streep's character is more human and likeable and does nice things for AHN DRAYEE AH at the end. She's not British, she's…well I won't spoil it for you, the movie goer, but essentially they took the characters and sort of wrote their own script from about ½ way thru it, taking a snippet here, changing it there (the Rowling book for the twins) and just writing a movie which essentially has nothing to do with the book except the title characters and the main premise.

Two newspapers have published photographs of Anna Wintour whom the author of the book really WAS an assistant to. The author swears it's not about Wintour but a sort of conglomeration of a lot of people. The real Wintour is drop dead gorgeous and she looks no more like Meryl Streep than I do, and I could not see Meryl Streep in that role at all when I read the book.

However Meryl Streep has made the part and the movie her own , as she is working with a new script and so it's not about the BAD Miranda but the Reformed Miranda, it works with Streep, it would not in the book.

Have any of you seen it yet? It just came out yesterday. I have also watched the first Pirates of the Caribbean three times (love Johnny Depp in that part) in preparation for next Friday's premiere of Pirates II. They are making Pirates III now so Depp is leaving on the caps on his teeth, so they say. He's something ELSE. There IS a book on this movie, but it's for "Juveniles," since the original thing was to be a 2 hour movie about a theme park ride. Boy did they catch a comet by the tail.

The BUZZ is that the duel this summer will be between Captain Jack Sparrow (Pirates) and Superman: both supposedly good. Neither based on an original book, one on a comic strip and one on a theme park ride, so I guess we really don't need to be discussing them here.

couldn't get into it......but maybe i'll try the movie......jean

I have tried to watch that movie three times and cannot understand half of Johnny Depp's dialogue. Turning up the volume doesn't help. But I do like him in most of his movies and will probably see the new one on DVD.

Hi ann!

I thought the first Pirates was miles too long. It would have been a great movie for me, had it been about half an hour shorter. I hope they cut this next one down. (though 30 minutes extra of Johnny Depp probably won't hurt me. )

Have you seen the movie and maybe remembered the title of the movie that Johnny Depp made about the father who can't take care of his challenged daughter so Depp takes her under his wing? Teaches her how to cook something with an iron? I loved it!

I think that may be Benny and Joon (?) I have a collection of his movies- all but the violent ones, that is, and he's made some of those.

Poached an egg maybe?

Are they talking about us? Has anyone seen "Boynton Beach Club" which outgrossed the DaVinci Code at an Orlando mall.

Hollywood Awakens to the Geriatric Demographic

I'm a huge Judi Dench fan, up to Year 7 on the "As Time Goes By" series. But you must see her in "Mrs. Henderson Presents." Almost as funny as "Calendar Girls."

NO! but that was a super article on it in the NY Times, I have never heard of it. Our chances of getting it here like Wordplay seem quite remote, I'm going to be looking for it, about time they made movies for US!

I've seen Ladies in Lavender and Mrs. Henderson Presents, and I liked them both.

I like her appearances in the 007 movies, too. the library doesn't have her As Time Goes By dvds, and my PBS stations quit running them about 2 years ago.

I'll watch for the Boynton Beach Club.

I saw The Devil wears Prada yesterday, and I'll give it 9 stars out of 10. I didn't like Meryl Streep's character, but she is good.

Just back from seeing this- loved it, loved it, loved it!!! Every single solitary change they made from the book (and there were many) IMPROVED the story. A rare case of liking the movie much better than the book. If you have to choose, I'd say go for the film.

Was it this group that was discussing "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan"? (if so, I just read it over the weekend--and THANK YOU, whoever first mentioned it!)

Not sure Bev, but I'm glad it was good, I think I need to get it, so many have talked about it in the Books!

Scootz I think I liked the book better! hahaha Let's discuss!

I just finished watching Nanny McPhee and in watching the Bonus sections, on how they filmed it and so forth, I learned that it WAS a book first, that surprised me, and that the appearance of Nanny McPhee (the warts disappearing, etc.) was intended to raise the questions of who saw what and why? In other words was she actually physically changing or did the people themselves change? Interesting concept which I would not have picked up on, since she is visually changing before your eyes.

A lot of critics do not like Prada, so let's talk about it, if you have seen it and read the book.

What exactly didn't the critics like? I need something to go on here.

BTW- all reviews I have seen were good.

Scootz I think I liked the book better! hahaha Let's discuss!

Ok, so tell me why and I'll see if I can't shoot it full of holes !

Well for starters, and not to reveal the plot but the reviews I have read, one in People, I can't think where the others are, but have just returned from Philadelphia and read Newsweek and Time there, could have been there, said they saw no need to change the book from what it was, to make Miranda nicer, why was it we can't have a villain without a happy ending?

There isn't any way to hash this out without revealing plot secrets so be forewarned about spoilers here. DO NOT READ!!!

Gee whiz, is that all they could find to criticize about the movie? the fact that it had a happy ending? That's weak for me.

As to the book- I read the first 200-250 pages and then skimmed the rest and just read the dialogue. I found it very repetitive and Miranda really got on my nerves with her continual nastiness that just went so far over the top that her character was totally unbelievable to me. There just isn't any way a person could be THAT nasty and still be so successful , in my mind. The author overdid it. And what at first was mildly amusing and quirky, finally became downright boring and ridiculous to me. That Ahn dre-a thing over and over and over.

Another thing in the book was the side character of Lily- what the heck was she in there for? Why did we need her with her drinking problem and sexual dalliances? It added not a thing to the story. This was handled so much better in the movie- ok, a side friend who was loyal to her- but no issues that only distracted from the main plot.

Miranda's movie persona was more believable, more likable, and easier to understand and relate to even. We even felt empathy for her when her divorce woes came into the picture. A character with absolutely NO redeeming qualities just isn't a character that I have an interest in. And one with so much nastiness on a continual basis just ain't believable.

The movie in total was just so better "balanced" than the book. Even the asistant number one- forget her name- but her nastiness worked for me and balanced the main character's role. The smarmy guy v. her boyfriend- I thought the screenpaly writer got it so much better. Only way I can describe it is better balanced and not so one sided. The ending on the book left me cold- not only didn't I feel Andy's reaction and "foulness" to Miranda came out of left field and weren't true to her character at all, but I liked that Miranda saw herself in Andy and recognized Andy's strengths and even put in a word for her at her new job. In the book, it just blew up and ended-bam!

Good points!!

I'm thinking and I am really out at sea here with nothing to refer to, that they said it was shallow and predictable, I'll try to find some of the reviews that were negative and bring them in.

I personally really liked the book so while I thought the movie was good it was not the book. The Assistant in the Book was nicer than the one in the movie, I thought?

The Assistant in the Book was nicer than the one in the movie, I thought?

She was, yes- and as I mentioned above- it worked better for me in the movie that she wasn't as nice. Andy needed a foil, as it were.Anyhoo, long story short, every change made made it better for me. And I was amazed by that fact really since that so very rarely happens with a film adaptation.

Here are some reviews, good and bad but I can't unfortunately find the one I was talking about, will keep looking!

Bunch of Reviews, the good, the bad, and the ugly, on Prada~

Well if she needed somebody to bounce off OF, what was wrong with Miranda? She was the original bouncer off of. hahahaa Did you wonder at the end how that was going to work out? He's got a great new job in Boston and she goes out and gets a new job in..??

A commuter relationship?

well, the average rating there is at 77%. And the consensus is stated as "a rare film that surpasses the quality of its source novel"...smart folks at that Rotten Tomatoes site.

Seriously though, the book really didn't do much for me and it's not my normal taste at all. I am beginning to think that you and I have very different tastes in books. Not that there's anything at all wrong with that- it's a good thing to know, actually.

I have not read the book or seen the movie yet. However, I knew someone just like ya'll describe Miranda. My best friend was her personal assistant. She was so hostile, obnoxious, conceited, self-centered, petty, mean, nasty, vile, unlikable, weird, unpleasant and downright hateful that it was hysterical. I would have paid money to watch this real woman in action, although it turns out I couldn't keep a straight face around her.

The movie and book both sound delightful.

And, yes, it can be useful to know who has similar and who dissimilar tastes in books. Ginny seems to read and enjoy some of the same lowbrow as I do while dismissing the same ones (yes to Preston and Child, yes to Prada, and a resounding no to Da Vinci). Scootz, you lean towards some of the same highbrow stuff as I do. This can help in finding new books to read.

Kleo

Kleo- You and I are usually alike although we once in a while seem to part company with book likes- MY NAME IS RED and Brothers Karamazov were not to my liking- but you hit the jackpot with MIDDLEMARCH and we both like Russell Banks. I like some lighter stuff, but if it's too light, I haven't any patience with it and feel as though I am wasting my time.

What's nice is knowing you can say- gee, if kleo likes it, I should have a look at that. Or not- according to who's recommending.

I use McEwan's ATONEMENT as a benchmark. If a person liked it, I will definitely like their choices. if they hated it, beware their recommendations!

I do get the impression that you are much more well read than I am. I'm late at getting to the classics and you seem t have already read them all. I'm catching up though!

I have to say- I cannot imagine you reading PRADA.

Have you read any Robertson Davies? I bet you would like him. I read THE DEPTFORD TRILOGY about three years ago and fell in love with his writing. Quite unique.

No, I have not read Robertson Davies, nor have I heard of him. He writes somewhat Gothic novels according to BN. I have very limited taste in Gothic, I like the real old, but I don't think I like any of the new authors.

I probably will love Prada because, again, I tend to agree with Ginny's taste in fluff. I did work in the fashion world for a while, also.

Kleo

Robertson Davies? Gothic? I can't understand that . (?)

Scootz--I don't understand Robertson Davies being described as "gothic" either. I've read a couple of his novel, one about graduate school that I loved and whose title has escaped me--Fifth Business, maybe? Davies was a Canadian and wrote regular novels.

Well, I don't know the author, so I can't say. Gothic? "Characterized by gloom and mystery and the grotesque?" Doesn't fit at all?

Kleo

BevSykes, I heard about "The Snow Flower and The Secret Fan" by Lisa See from Ann Alden. I loved the book. It is uniquely beautiful. I am glad you enjoyed it too. If it were a movie, we could discuss it. The book made me think a lot about friendship and forgiveness.

Interesting posts by you, Kleo and Scootz ~
Love the Yogi quotes, Scootz!
In both movies and books, the serious and the light-and-fluffy are important components of my week.
Isn't it like eating a main course vs. having dessert?
Late in the evening, I like to read something light, not particularly sweet, but not a heavy classic.

Ginny ~ You and I sure differ a lot in our choice of reading material and movies, but thank goodness, that doesn't matter in Latin class! I wonder if it would be possible to make of movie of Harris' Pompeii?

Well, I don't know the author, so I can't say. Gothic? "

Your post made it sound as though B&N categorized him that way, and I couldn't understand it. Dark doesn't always mean Gothic.

Now that deems has validated my thinking, I feel sure he wouldn't be. I literally went to bed thinking, "maybe Gothic is something other than what I'm thinking."

deems- yes, FIFTH BUSINESS is the first book in the DEPTFORD TRILOGY. The mystery is "Who killed Boy Staunton?", a political leader in the town. I'm amazed that someone else here has read him. Most have never heard of him.

I'll post a little about him on Book Nook since we seemed to have segued out of movies here.

hahaha Mippy, if they do I won't go to see it, but IF they do we can discuss it here (I guess I'll have to go then?) hahahaa

Thank you, but I read everything, Guys. The good the bad and the ugly, depending on my mood, several books a week, so don't feel because I like Prada today and hate Pompeii tomorrow that it means anything, I just like to read, you might say eclectic taste.

I'm reading Patterson's Beach Road right now, Willett's Winner of the National Book Award and have started Dunning's The Bookwoman's Last Fling. I read too fast. What would you call that, beach reading? Leisure reading? I'm reading some serious books, too, but I did not think they would ring any bells with anybody so left them off. hahaaha

I had a friend in Canada who tried desperately to get me into Davies but I simply could not do it at the time! We are off the subject here, good point, Scootz.

Don't you find your tastes in reading change: sometimes you feel like a nut, sometimes you don't. I picked up Lucia in London last night when The Book of the Dead scared me to death and it was like cool water, I love the way Benson writes, I bet I have read that series 100 times. It's soothing.

A friend gave me the Lake of Dead Languages and so I'll start on it today, anything to slow down.

Hats and Bev, that sounds like something we should discuss here!

Hi Ginny,"Snow Flower and the Secret Fan" is a wonderful, great, stupendous book about China, I think. I am going to read a Patterson too. This one is called 'Honeymoon.' I don't know if it's a movie or not. I should have gotten 'Beach Road.'

I have read one 'Lucia' book a long while back. I loved it! Laughed my head off. I have always wanted to read all of the series.

My Netflix came yesterday, 'Where the Heart Is.' The book is written by Billie Letts. I loved the book. I hope the movie is good. Her girl is left by her boyfriend in front of a Walmart. In a matter of minutes, she is homeless and pregnant. She lives out of the Walmart. This is what I remember from the book.

Hats, re: Billie Letts and Where the Heart Is. I loved the book and thoroughly enjoyed the movie. Wonderful names -- Forney, Sister Husband, and the little girl -- somehow named after America. Delightful, both book and film. Billie Letts has ties here to Cape G. I think her husband taught at the local university, and she may have been a student there for a while.

I have DVDs of two foreign films that I'm taking on the road with me tomorrow -- the French mystery Cache, and a Spanish one -- Butterfly -- about a boy and his teacher.

Hi Pedln, I am glad you loved the book too. I can't wait to watch the movie. Billie Letts is a good author.

I love the baby's name too, "Americus."

I saw Pirates of the Caribbean II yesterday and all I can say is Johnny Depp is a hoot, he's just fabulous, I'd like to see it again. Yesterday they also had the world premiere of the movie shown at Disney World (watched that and Monk at the same time) where they have altered the ride Pirates of the Caribbean, to include Captain Jack Sparrow, Davey Jones and the other captain, naturally, they're no fools, but Depp is just a HOOT, he's like Jack Nicholson's Joker: he's really created one unforgettable character.

I am really excited also to find a complete DVD set of the "Up" movies! I did not know they existed, for years I tried to tape them on blizzardy British television broadcasts on PBS channels a long way from us, BUT they are all available, all of them, on DVD! I have not seen the last several ones, can't WAIT!

Here is what Roger Ebert says about the series .

Ebert mentioned 42 Up: "Give Me the Child Until He Is Seven and I Will Show You the Man" (7 Up Film Series) by Bennett L. Singer and Michael Apted (Paperback - Nov 1999)"> which I also had not heard of but ordered. Can't WAIT to read it, if you've seen the series, you know why!

I wonder if this is a first, a book which came about because of the film series? A serious book?

At any rate it takes British children in different socio economic levels at 7 and 14 and 21 and compares what the British school systems turn out: it's electric and apparently goes up to the age of 42 plus. I highly recommend this series! The first film alone, 7, 14, 21 is amazing.

Here is a description of the book from Amazon:

Book Description

A richly illustrated companion volume to the acclaimed 7 Up film series-- a fascinating longitudinal study, published to coincide with the film release of 42 Up.

"Utterly fascinating," "groundbreaking," "unparalleled." These are among the accolades American critics have used to describe the series of British television programs that began in 1964 when filmmaker Michael Apted set out to test the aphorism "Give me the child until he is seven, and I will show you the man." He filmed fourteen seven-year-old boys and girls from all walks of British life and revisited the same group at fourteen, twenty-one, twenty-eight, thirty-five, and, now, forty-two.

This series, chronicling their successes and failures, fears and dreams, is one of the greatest-and most fascinating- longitudinal studies of all time. 42 Up is being published to coincide with the American film release of the most recent installment and provides an overview from the project's inception. Illustrated throughout, the book chronicles the life-stories of each of the film's subjects, capturing the spirit and candor of the films in an accessible, affordable format.

In idly watching some of the bonus features of Nanny McPhee, I found out as I said it was a children's book, what I did not know was the author, Christianna Brand, wrote mysteries and these books were tales her grandfather told her. So she wrote them under the title Nurse (which is what Nannies used to be called in England) Matilda and her brother (or cousin) Edward Ardizzone who was quite famous in his own right as a War Cartoonist and the author of the Captain Tim books, illustrated them as he was also told the stories. They used the plot lines of three of the books and renamed it Nanny McPhee. It's fascinating when you start to look at some of the things behind film and books into movies!

It makes you appreciate the art in both, I'm getting quite into this thanks to this discussion!

I've never heard of the UP series, but it sounds interesting. Will have to see if Netflix has it.

A friend recommended Nanny McPhee -- I didn't realize it was a children's book either.

We watched Cache last night. Now that's a strange one. Those of you who have seen it will understand why it was especaiily appropriate for us to see last night -- as the girls spent the day heloping friends kill and clean chickens. I did not get involved in the bloody stuff, just picked off remaining feathers. Scootz -- you've seen it. If you have a chance, email me your thoughts on the ending.

The reading schedule for "The Dupin Tales" has been posted. You can use the following link to easily guide you to the schedule.

The Dupin Tales

Bill H

I have been enjoing all your interesting post. I knew as soon as I got out of the way things would be much better.

Bill H

Pedln, I haven't heard of "Cache." We just finished watching "An Unfinished Life" with Robert Redford and Morgan Freeman. Awhile back I read the book "An Unfinished Life" by Mark Spragg. It's a really good book and a good movie.

You have to remember I am an easy movie critic. Last week I watched "An Unfinished Life" too Pedln and I enjoyed it. Yesterday my daughter and I went to see The Devil Wears Prada. I think Meryl Streep excelled as Miranda Priestley and after reading the novel I could not imagine her playing that part.

If you havn't seen this film, you are really missing something special. This is the second time for me. The story takes place in Australia in the early 1930's, when it was the governments policy to simply TAKE half-caste Aborigine children away from their mothers, for training to become indentured servants. The story is about two sisters Molly and Daisy, and their cousin Gracie, who escape from their training center, and then walk 1500 across Australia to their home - all the time being pursued by government agents.

I guarantee, the ending will bring you to tears, so have the tissue box handy. For me, the most amazing thing, was actually seeing the two sisters, now elderly women, still alive today! The book, "Follow the Rabbit-Proof Fence", was written by Doris Pilkington, the daughter of Molly, the oldest of the sisters. I havn't read it yet, but plan to check it out at the library this week.

A suggestion: If you rent this movie, be sure to use your closed captioning! Otherwise you'll find it very hard to understand the dialogue. The little girls who star in the movie are Australian Aborigines, not professional actresses. So the fact that they are natural and untrained, their accents are hard to understand.

I watched "Rabbit Proof Fence" on the plane when I was flying to Australia and agree with you about the movie. It was excellent.

Marilyne, that movie is awesome. And seeing the women was a truely fitting close. I still get goose bumps thinking out their incredible feat.

Are you still on the road? I saw "Cache" if you want to discuss it. Quite a film. Not recommended for the faint of heart.

Marilyne, Thanks for the review. I will get "Rabbit-Proof Fence" from my library. It sounds great.

Rabbit-Proof Fence was unbelievable. Hopefully we've come a long way since then, no matter where we are.

Deems, I'm mostly puzzled about the ending, which is slowly slipping from memory, of Cache. It did not make sense to me.

My daughter rented a Russian film "Vodka Lemon" while I was visiting. She thought it was hilarious. I watched the first part, whick struck me as weird and left me cold. I went to bed. Maybe I'm weird.

hahaah That reminds me of my husband's reaction to Monty Python and the Holy Grail. I was besotted with it, it got to the point it was a cult thing with the audiences and I saw it so many times, so when it came out on video tape I excitedly put it on and called him in (it's the only movie I ever saw where the audience laughed at the credits which start the movie not follow it) and here came the clip clop and here came the guys with the cocoanuts and King Arthur saying "whoa!" with no horse and my husband got up and said "that's the stupidest thing I ever saw," and that was the end of that. hahahaa

The last scene in Cache was high school kids leaving school. The same shot was used earlier in the film when the father picked up Pierrot from school. But in this final scene, nothing much happens except that two of the actors (Pierrot and Majid's son) can be seen in the lower left screen talking for a while. Then Pierrot returns to his friends who are up the stairs.

Did you watch any of the extra material? It's interesting because there is an interview with the director as well as a section devoted to filming some of the scenes.

There are a number of ways to "read" the final scene, depending on whether or not the viewer recognizes the two characters. Apparently about half the people who see the film don't notice them and the other half do. I didn't see the the first time so I reran the scene after I watched the interview with the director.

Rabbit-Proof Fence was unbelievable. Hopefully we've come a long way since then, no matter where we are.

The most chilling thing about "Rabbit Proof Fence" was the attitude of the British, who seemed to feel that the feelings of the natives were of no consequence whatsoever. Please, dear God, let us have come a long way since then!

Bev, the attitude shown reminded me of the evictions that took place prior to the establishment of Shenandoah National Park. I was shocked when I visited the Visitor Center and read about all the people who had to be moved from their homes and out of the mountains. A much smaller scale, to be sure, but probably no less traumatic for those involved. The killer statement for me was by some do-gooder woman who stated that "These people will be much better off in the city."

Deems, I usually don't watch the extras with the CDs because most of the time they don't have the captions I need. I had missed Pierrot until my daughter pointed him out. Guess the reading of that is pretty open.

pedln--Yes, the ending is ambiguous. If you see both Pierrot and Majid's son in conversation, two people that have no reason to know each other, it can lead to speculation as to how they are involved.

The director's friend to whom he first showed the movie didn't see the boys in the final scene and thought the scene was "brilliant."

Another interpretation is that now it's up to the next generation to solve the problems that the previous generation did not.

And there are others.

There's an interesting chart attached to this NYT site --

For Tom Hanks, Just Another Day at the Office

I didn't get that much from the article, but the chart tells what's coming up at Tom Hanks' Playtone production company. A 7-part HBO series featuring David McCullough's John Adams -- but not until 2008, and an adaptation of Larry McMurty's Boones Lick.

And Maurice Sendak's Where the Wild Things Are -- with Tony Soprano -(James Gandolfini) - his voice, I guess.

The other night I watched A Month by the Lake -- which is based on a novella -- by Bates??. Not sure. Stars Vanessa Redgrave. I gave it five stars. Delightful, charming.

Pedln did you like it, too? Me too. I loved it, but I am very fond of Edward Fox. I thought, was...was...it Vanessa Redgrave, who played the female lead? Who was she? She was marvelous and I envied her her figure!!!

I thought Uma Thurman or however you spell her name was wonderful, I can see why people carry on about her.

WAS it a book? If so I'd like to read it. Beautifully filmed I thought.

Re: Lake -- from a novella by H.E. Bates. I said something about it to a friend and she said, "Oh, I've seen it three times. I think we like the same movies."

But probably not for all. I just read a male-written review. He was bored out of his skull.

Oh it's very subtle, and the entire movie is different, odd, British. Thank you for the name of the author I'll see if I can get it, I like odd things.

I can see where he'd be bored, not a man's movie, particularly in some of the overtones, but I really liked it, and it had a lot of things a person could discuss, too.

Last night I watched a movie based on Oscar Wilde's play, LADY WINDEMERE'S FAN. The movie is titled A GOOD WOMAN and stars Scarlett Johannson, Helen Hunt, Tom Wilkinson. I thought it was excellent. Look for it in the new dvds area of your shop, online deal, whatever.

Speaking of Scarlett, I also saw the new Woody Allen film, Scoop- very good, not great, imho, I enjoyed MATCH POINT more.

namaste'

Cathie&Colby

Armistead Maupin's book, THE NIGHT LISTENER, starring Robin Williams and Toni Collette, comes to film next weekend. I have plans to see it already. here is the book tie-in:

NIGHT LISTENER BOOK

Cathie, very interesting. I would like to read that one. I would like to know about the thirteen year old boy. Thanks for the link. I love Robin Williams.

I enjoyed "Dancing at Lughnasa." It's a play. I have forgotten the playwright's name. I know we read Julius Ceasar on Seniornet. Have we read any other plays? I guess plays made into movies.

I love "Raisin in the Sun" by Zora Neale Hurston. That's a play made into a movie.

Oh, "Death of a Salesman" by Arthur Miller, I love the movie and play. So sad.

The Glass Menagerie by Tennessee Williams. That's sad too. It starred Shirley Boothe, didn't it?

A Raisin in the Sun is a famous play by Lorraine Hansberry, not Zora Neal Hurston.

Dancing at Lughnasa is by Brian Friel.

Kleo

Kleo, thank you.

I really like this discussion for putting us on to good new (to us) books. Pedln mentioned H.E. Bates and I was able to get the last copy (believe it or not, more coming) of A Month at the Lake and Other Stories new on Amazon. Then I started looking in wonder at what else he's written and what's been written about him, I never heard of him, but apparently he's quite famous.

Short stories mostly but he also wrote The Darling Buds of May which Catherine Zeta Jones starred in and which was a strange strange hoot. He wrote and I ordered The Jackaranda Tree, that one has to come from England but I believe I remember it, about the Japanese invading Burma, and all sorts of other books like Love for Lydia.

Just the thing for summer reading, a great "new" author I never heard of, thank you Pedln for mentioning him at all as a result of the movie, never heard of him.

Re "The Night Listener," it is based on a true story inspired by a book ("A Rock and a Hard Place" by Anthony Godby Johnson), who was an abuse victim who was suffering from AIDS. Two friends of mine had a telephone/e-mail relationship with Anthony and didn't realize that Armistead Maupin did too until "The Night Listener" came out, and their relationship with Anthony paralleled Maupin's so closely that at times they could actually predict what was coming next.

It's a very weird story that doesn't answer questions, but I think anybody who has been in the life of Anthony Godby Johnson from the beginning figured out the answer long ago.

I am very anxious to see what Robin Williams does with it.

Bev- how interesting!!

It's fascinating. I would talk about how the situation with Maupin--and with my friends--turned out, but it would probably give away the action in the movie, so I won't, but if anybody wants to know, I'll give a few more details, prominentely, I hope, titled "SPOILER"

Hats, I was so lucky to see Dancing at Lughnasa at the Drury Theater in Dublin in 1990. It was a great treat!

How fantastic. I saw the show, but in Sacramento. Not quite the same thing as seeing it in Dublin!

Bev, I'll be going to see it this weekend= please be sure to LARGELY label any spoilers for me- I just hate knowing an ending or more than I should before I see a film. TIA.................

Mary Z, I bet that was a wonderful time! To see it in Ireland must have made it so special. I am so envious.

Hats, that's an interesting link. I've seen or read some of the titles listed, but did not know that White Oleander had been made into a movie. The book has been sitting on my shelf for quite some time. I think I'll read it before I see the film. Also didn't know that the movie Ice Storm was from a book. Now that's one I won't waste my time reading. Anyway, your link is definitely worth pursuing.

Hats - Thanks for that great web site! One of my very favorite movies of all time is listed - Empire of the Sun. Anyone who hasn't seen it, I highly recommend it. It's an incredible story, and really worth renting the DVD. Steven Spielberg directed, and it stars a young Christian Bale. It was released in 1987, so he was just a kid then, but has gone on to a good career as an adult actor.

Empire of the Sun is indeed great.

Watched a marvelous movie (DVD) last night, called The Company.
Has anyone else seen this? Rather than a love story, it's almost a documentary about ballet.
It wasn't a book, but do you remember a book, years ago, by Giselle McKensie. All about the underside of a ballet company. That was about how she ruined her health, among other things. The movie touches upon how AIDS has devastated the arts community, but it's not a sad movie. Highly recommended!

Jennifer Lopez, Robert Redford and Morgan Freeman.
Last night I watched this movie, which was adapted from the book by Mark Scragg. I had never seen J Lopez in anything, and was impressed that she did such a good job in a straight dramatic role. Robert Redford was excellent, playing the part of a Wyoming rancher, who has shut himself off from the world after losing his son. His only friend is played by Morgan Freeman, who lives on the property, and has undergone a trauma of his own. He was just wonderful in this role. The part of the granddaughter was played by Becca Gardner. It always amazes me to see child actors who are so natural and seem to be just like a real kid. She is one of the best that I've seen.

Usually I read the book first, and then see the movie. But in this case, I will be reading the book afterwards. I'm looking forward to it.

I did read other SN'ers reviews on this movie in here awhile back, which is what prompted me to watch it. Thanks to those who recommended it!

Thanks, Marilyne - I've added it to my queue.

Marilyne, I loved "An Unfinished Life." I read the book by Mark Spragg. Then, I watched the movie. Both are great! Mary Z, I know you will enjoy it.

I just finished watching "Lesson Before Dying." The book is by Ernest Gaines. I loved the book and the movie. It's a tearjerker. Cicely Tyson stars in it. The teacher is played by the guy who played in the Rwanda movie.

Now I have a movie titled "The Red Violin." I haven't watched it yet. My husband liked it.

Last night, I watched "A Handful of Dust," which came from a novel by Evelyn Waugh. This is a very sad story, but well-acted. I hadn't read the book, but have read others by Waugh, including "Brideshead Revisited" which became a PBS series.

Hey, where's everyone been?

It's been a long day, so tonight I watched "Syriana" with George Clooney and Matt Damon, loosely based on Robby Baer's See No Evil, about his CIA experiences. To say it was confusing and complicated would be an understatement. But well worth it. Do plan to watch it a second time. Maybe even read some reviews beforehand. They won't be spoilers, but they will give y ou a clue to what the film is trying to do. It's about big oil, seen and told from different points of view. Many characters -- the reviews explain more clearly their roles, and that helps.

I won't say there weren't any violent incidents, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that it was not the beat 'em up, shoot em up action film that I had envisioned before viewing.

I agree, I saw it in the theater and could not figure out what the heck was going on, ran out and bought the book and that's about as far as I got. I KNOW something was being said! hahahaa

I could have done without the fingernails tho.

I am going thru some kind of slump movie/book wise. I keep renting them on Netflix and watching Pirates of the Carribbean again, finally bought the thing so I could send it back.

Nothing I seem to rent suits, I may just be in a pirate mood. hahaaa

I'm going through that right now, too, Ginny. Nothing much good. I'm rewatching my Sci-Fi movies collections, finally. I did watch David R. Ellis' Snakes on a Plane with my son on Tuesday--we had a lot of fun. My family is addicted to killer animal themes (hence the shameful public bookshelf collection). I'm going to go see Adam McKay's Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby tonight or tomorrow night because I'm addicted to Sacha Baron Cohen's Ali G.

I loved the book How to Eat Fried Worms as a kid, and I hope Bob Dolman made a good kid's movie out of it, but I don't want a kid's movie, I want a GREAT adult film. I've heard Jonathan Dayton's ,Valerie Faris' Little Miss Sunshine is good. Has anyone seen it?

I did watch Mike Nichols' Catch--22 while I'm reading the Heller. The movie was good, maybe better than good, but the book is simply too hard to transfer to the screen.

I also watched the 1949 Robert Rossen movie of All the King's Men this week. It's very different from the book, although it is a great movie. Still, I was disappointed in some ways, maybe because Jack and Anne's relationship in the book is so complex and Rossen chose to forego all that complexity in the film.

A Steven Zaillian movie of the novel is coming out next month, starring Sean Penn as Willie Stark, which I can't wait to see, and, unfortunately, Jude Law as Jack Burden. Patricia Clarkson as Sadie Burke does nothing for me, either, after Mercedes McCambridge in the original. Kate Winslet is Anne Stanton, and there are a couple of other roles that are cast rather fun. I think Jude Law and Kate Winslet in their respective roles are unfortunately cast, though. Still, I look forward to this period remake of the novel. I love Sean Penn on the screen.

I'm going to go look for foreign and art house movies. If I find and watch something interesting, I'll let you all know.

Kleo

I had planned, too, to see Ricky Bobby but some of the stuff reported to be coming out of it turned me off, let us know if the puerile bathroom humor is too much?

Ginny, I'm pretty sure it will be. I am just so bored with this type of humor. Can't anyone that age write any more? Is there something I haven't seen done in the name of comedy before? Oh, a loud fart, how funny, oh he got his $#$%^ caught, oh how funny, oh, gee, there's something original, a stream of urine in a funny camera angle. Well, I have to go, as I've either busted my sides laughing or died of boredom.

I'll let you know if it's not too offensive.

Kleo

We saw "Little Miss Sunshine" this week. I cannot recommend it more highly. It's a great quirky film. It has just about everything in it. You'll laugh, you'll cry, and you won't expect some of the things that happen. Each actor makes such a believable character that they all just meld together beautifully.

GO SEE IT!

Bev, Is "Little Miss Sunshine" a family movie?

One of my favorite books made into a movie is "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir. The movie is very faithful to the book, but is actually better in many ways (chiefly Rex Harrison as Captain Gregg).

The language in Little Miss Sunshine is, shall we say, colorful, so I wouldn't take small children, but junior high and older won't hear anything that they don't hear on TV or in school.

I love "The Ghost and Mrs. Muir." I didn't know about the book.

Was it someone here who recommended this book? I just finished reading it.

I have a book KING'S ROW. I haven't read the book. I keep wondering if it is a good story. Didn't Ronald Reagan star in "King's Row?"

Yes, Ronald Reagan was in King's Row.

I read the book years and years ago (probably when I was in high school) and remember liking it, but then...I was in high school, so I can't tell you anything about it.

Bev thanks. It helps knowing you did like it. One day I might give it a try. I haven't seen the movie either. So, I will read the book first.

The discussion of The Murders in the Rue Morgue is open for your posts. Follow this link to the discussion.

The Murders in the Rue Morgue

Bill H

Am now reading and totally engrossed in the Ripley series. The movie connection was The Talented Mr. Ripley starring Jude Law and the guy who starred in Capote and Matt Damon. The book is by Patricia Highsmith.

I absolutely love the book, unfortunately (because I can't put it down) am more than half way thru it already, it's called, like the movie, The Talented Mr. Ripley. I love the way she writes and the entire 5 book series, and I wish they'd make a movie of the rest of them.

I think the second one is the Ground one but I'll make sure before I start, Ripley Under Ground.

This book is about a psychopath, an amoral person but it's not what you think, I recommend it highly if you like suspense, it's really in a class of its own, and the remaining 4 books are in a class of THEIR own too.

Phillip Seymour Hoffman

Thank you Deems, YES! Philip Seymour Hoffman as Freddie Miles, that's the one, love that portrayal he did. I love the creativity of actors. I keep watching the first Pirates over and over, Johnny Depp was incredible, the outtakes are fantastic, I love creative people!

In the book Freddie Miles when Tom meets him does not LOOK at anybody didn't Hoffman do that well in that first scene with the car!@

A lot of famous people have played Jane Eyre and Edward Rochester over the years, but none of these sound like the one I have seen several times on TV.

1944 Joan Fontaine and Orson Welles (with Margaret O'Brien as Adele)

1961 Sally Ann Howes and Zachary Scott

1970 Susannah York and George C. Scott

1983 Zelah Clarke and Timothy Dalton

1996 Charlotte Gainsbourg and William Hurt

Has anyone read "Wide Sargasso Sea" by Jean Rhys which is listed as a prequel to Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte? It is supposedly the story of Edward Fairfax Rochester and his first wife!

P.S. I have misplaced the symbols, such as for a carriage return so I don't have to leave an empty line in a list. If someone will give me the list, again, I promise to be more careful with it.

Thanks to the person who recommended "An Unfinished Life." I watched it on DVD last night and really liked it.

My mind just went blank for the html code for list.

What an amazing movie. Last night I watch the DVD of The Constant Gardener
which was beautifully filmed, very well acted, but depressing because it was so realistic about the plight of Africa.
I've never read the book by John LeCarre, as it sounded too depressing.
Has anyone else seen the movie?

You know, I saw the movie in February and have completely forgotten it. I remember liking it, but I don't remember anything about it.

We read the book here and I remember disliking IT very much so did not see the movie.

I watched the movie. It was okay. What did you dislike so much about the book, Ginny? John LeCarre is a fast read for me, not a book club read. I didn't realize he was the author, though.

Kleo

I read and saw both -- liked the book better than the movie, which I gave three stars for okay, nothing special. Yesterday's USA Today mentions a new book by Le Carre -- out 9/19 --The Mission Song -- "British interpreter is pulled into scheme to bring political stability to the Congo.

I don't recall what I did not like about it specifically except that I did not like it. hahahaa

It's been a LONG time.

Egads, sounds like it has everything wrong with it that the movie, The Interpreter had. In fact, it sound like a rip-off of that movie, although Constant Gardener and it were a lot alike. Don't know who ripped off whom. Actually they're both a lot like a plot from a book I read as a teenager.

Kleo

Usually, I don't remember anything about a bad movie because I walk out. And, heck, it's not like there's a dearth of bad movies out there or anything.

Still, I like John LeCarre in general and I think his books make good movies, not great movies, but generally ones I'm willing to watch. I also read most of his books, although this habit has died out a bit in recent years, I find him a consistent read, worth my time.

Kleo

Yes, Kleo, me too. I've read almost all of LeCarre's books.
I don't recall if most of the earlier movies were good or not.
The Spy Who Came in from the Cold movie was a real winner, when it came out.
But it may be too dated by now to recommend.

No, Mippy, LeCarre movies tend to be rewatchable even when out of date. You know, modern movies try to do too much. Le Carre has quite a bit of deletable fluff in his books that won't, when gone missing, detract from the basic story line being made into a film. And he covers the basics: passion, chase, danger, guns, etc. They're not going to be on the list of the 100 greatest films of all time, but they're going to be watched over and over.

I say thank-you to authors who've welded themselves into a successful genre that I like.

Kleo

Join us at a new Curious Minds starting September 16 -- A Medical Potpourri of New Trends, New Treatments, and New Issues in the Doctor's Bag. Come tell us your ideas about what's going on with health care in the new millenium. What's new? What's changing?

Kleo, have you read Alan Furst's books? He writes about pre-war Europe, the little guys who carry out spying, not the Smiley's, but a news paper reporter (in Foreign Correspondent, his latest) who gets involved on a minor level. No wild chases, but suspenseful nevertheless.

No, I haven't Mrs. Sherlock. What's a good one?

Kleo

Kleo, his books are not a series. The first one, The Night Soldiers, may be a good place to start and to see if you like him. I've read them all and they are all good IMHO.

Speaking of liking, no one can predict what another will like or dislike. I have just LOVED a book, referred it to someone, and they say, didn't do anything for me. I feel crushed, but then when it happens that I don't get a feeling for a book someone else likes, I can see that it is not rejection of the recommender. So I am pleased if you like something I like but if you don't, Oh, well...

I've come, over the years, to be glad when people absolutely loathe or simply don't like a book I love. Why? Because it keeps forever large the variety of new offerings of fiction and nonfiction. If everyone liked the same thing, I'm pretty sure I'd be the outsider without anything I liked available as I have queer tastes in fiction.

thanks for the recommendation

Kleo

Kleo - Another author whose style is similar to LeCarre, is Graham Greene. Always complicated plots with plenty of intrigue, and fabulous character studies. My favorite is, "The Third Man", which takes place in Vienna after WWII - a great book and a memorable movie. "Our Man in Havana", is also excellent, as is "The Quiet American". I havn't read nor seen the movie of "The Comedians", which is set in Haiti during the reign of Papa Doc Duvalier, but it sounds good. One of the most recent Graham Greene books, made into a movie, was "End of the Affair", released just a couple of years ago, starring Ralph Fiennes and Julianne Moore. It was a box office flop, but I loved it! It takes place in WWII London, during the blitz bombings.

I haven't read him yet, but found a strange connection with one of his books, which I bought immediately. Have you read Travels with My Aunt? There is a movie by George Cukor, which I have not seen.

I have seen Phillip Noyce's adaptation of the The Quiet American starring Michael Caine, but not the earlier Joseph L. Mankiewicz version, and Carol Reed The Third Man, starring Joseph Cotton (a favorite of mine on the screen) and Orson Wells, both rather good movies.

Kleo

The Third Man Theme is great music.

I think I read most of Green when I was really into authors like Ludlum,& Len Deighton.

Aaarrghhhhh! It's time, me hearties, to sign up for the discussion of The Mutiny on Board H.M.S. Bounty! This book is Captain Bligh's own written account of what happened on the mutinous voyage and afterward when he and some of his crew were set adrift in shark-infested waters.

The discussion begins officially on November 1. There's plenty of grog, salt pork, and duff aboard ship waiting for you, so sign up here:

patwest, "---Mutiny on Board H.M.S. Bounty, The ~ William Bligh ~ Proposed for Nov. 1st" #, 11 Sep 2006 2:26 pm

Marni

The Poe novella of The Mystery of Marie Roget will begin Sunday, October 1st.

Pat explained that she will use the same heading that was used for The Murders in the Rue Morgue, which ended with post #154

Pat will be mentioning this novella in the Book Bytes. We both will be providing a link for you to follow.

Bill H

Did anyone see that Angelna Jolie is going to star in Atlas Shrugged

I didn't know they were making a new version of Atlas Shrugged. Who's going to play the Gary Cooper part?

I found this in THE BOOK STANDARD.Angelina Jolie to Star in Ayn Rand's 'Atlas Shrugged' September 22, 2006 By Kimberly Maul

"Angelina Jolie will star in the movie adaptation of Atlas Shrugged, the ambitious 1,100-page novel by Russian-born American writer and philosopher Ayn Rand, Variety reported yesterday.

Rand, who also wrote the novels Anthem and The Fountainhead , which was made into a movie in 1949, was also known for her Objectivist philosophies, which she developed and included in many of her books, including Atlas Shrugged."

Tomorrow, Sunday, Oct. 1st , begins the discussion of Poe's

The Mystery of Marie Roget

Bill H

I didn't realize that "Gilbert Grape" was a book before it was a movie. I spotted it on the discount rack at B&N, and it was well worth the $3.98. The movie is one of my favorites, starring Johnny Depp and Leonardo DiCaprio, as his retarded brother. It was the first film I had ever seen with DiCaprio, and I was so impressed with his portrayal of the young retarded boy. He was flawless, and Depp was excellent, as was the rest of the cast. (I think it was DiCaprio's first film?) The story was almost identical to the book, except for the love story, which was BETTER in the movie! The book is worth reading, and the film is worth renting.

I just watched the movie "Sideways" on DVD. This movie was so much better than the book which I tried to read but couldn't finish.

That Paul Giamatti really does a job with that part, doesn't he? The book is quite different, I thought.

horselover and Ginny - Finally! Someone else who liked "Sideways". We are a small exclusive group, I guess. I admit there were flawed characters in the movie, but I could not help really loving it and I am so glad that it did so well.

isak

I am going to look at "House of Sand and Fog" this weekend. We read the book here at Seniors. Ginny, we had a really big crowd of readers for that one.

I will have to get "Sideways." Is it a book too?

Hats - I'm anxious to know how you liked the movie of "House of Sand and Fog"? That's the only specific book discussion that I've ever participated in here on SN. I have followed along with many, but never really joined in except for that one. I do believe that I was the only person in group whe LOVED the book and all the characters! My favorite books or movies are about imperfect people with problems. (Does that tell you something?) LOL

Let us know what you think of the movie? I liked it OK, but not even close to being as good as the book. Ben Kingsley was amazing as The Colonel, and the actors who played his family were great. I thought the casting was wrong for Kathy. Jennifer Connolly is a good actress, but she just didn't seem right for the role. Same thing for the guy who played the cop.

Marilyn....House of Sand and Fog, one of my favorite books, I've even relistened to it a few times. I read by audio tape. The movie was good enough, but I agree with you on the choice for the cop. No sex appeal at all!

Another of my favorites is Dean Koontz's False Memory. It would be great made into a movie. His books are either good or bad. Almost like somebody else writes the good ones! Same with Stephen King.

Marilyne, I can't finish the movie. It's just too sad. I can read the saddest book, but sometimes watching it is too hard for me. Since my husband didn't read the book, he is watching the movie. I looked at a little bit, the cast, I think, is perfect. It looks like they did a really good job on the movie. I hope the director didn't make drastic changes. Of what I seen, it doesn't look like he took that advantage.

I have never read anything by Dean Koontz. I like the title "False Memory."

"House ofSand and Fog" is very depressing. It's so sad that none of these characters can understand anything about the others--even those from the same family. Each one travels a separate path toward the inevitable disaster at the end.

I entirely agree, that House of Sand and Fog was depressing.
I'd only suggest that someone read it who is forewarned.
But some of us are ok with that type of book. How was the movie?

Alexander Poe's novella "The Purloined Letter" will begin Wednesday, November 1st.

You can read the story on line if you wish by clicking the link below.

The Purloined letter

The graphic is Poe. Not me.

Bill H

The discussion of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Purloined Letter" is now opened for comments from the readers. If you wish to participate in this discussion the link below will take you the forum.

The Purloined Letter Forum

Bill H

Add me to the "Sideways" likers club. I wouldn't say it was my favorite movie, but, being surrounded by wine conoisseurs here in California, I found it funny. The funniest part is the end. I didn't know until someone pointed out to me that the wine Paul Giamatti was holding for a special occasion was actually a Merlot, the wine he spends the entire movie putting down.

I've seen "House of Sand and Fog" and my problem with it is that it is a lose-lose situation for everyone. Very sad all around.

I, too, liked this movie immensely. Wonderful casting. I had read the book first, so I knew what would transpire. But the acting was excellent, especially Ben Kingsley.

We read House of Sand and Fog here in the Books I thought it was very powerful, VERY.

We're going to nominate another HOUSE book in January and we have a commitment, should it win, to discuss, and that's Brideshead Revisited, now out in a 25th Anniversary edition of the splendid BBC 11 part series starring Jeremy Irons and...was it John Gielgud? Or was it Lawrence Olivier??

At any rate that was a fabulous movie and very like the book but the book is even better, in some respects, and IF it wins (and it was runner up last time) I hope those of you who like Books into Movies might consider joining us.

The book is NOT long, but is VERY complicated and profound while telling a whale of a story, and you can enjoy it any way you take it. I'll post this in the House nominations and the Book Nook too. Just the thing for sitting in front of the fire!

Scratch the above!

I am lost and sunk forever in the new 25th Anniversary Edition DVD's of Brideshead!! OH my goodness, the best $38 I ever spent in my life. It's gorgeous, just gorgeous, a creme white and gold presentation, elegant 4 DVD's in beautiful slipcover, with an accompanying short booklet telling where each scene was shot, and all sorts of things about the locations I never knew.

Right now I'm on the first DVD with interviews showing about the life of Evelyn (pronounced EVE lyn) Waugh and showing film of an interview with him about his life, and interviews with both directors of the original film and Anthony Andrews and Jeremy Irons, and other cast members, some of whom are unrecognizable today. They are all shown then and today with the somewhat startling news that Jeremy Irons was originally intended to play the son, and that Anthony Andrews (who played the son) was originally intended to be Charles (the part that Jeremy Irons wound up playing) but he wanted the part of the son. It said that Jeremy Irons was not sure he wanted to switch and take the part of Charles, and his contract stipulated that should the part in the French Lieutanant's Woman come up he should be allowed to play it (and it did).

Lots on John Gielgud and Laurence Olivier, who were BOTH in the movie, both as fathers, just an incredible feast for anybody, I can't put it down. And I'm not sure, having heard all this literary criticism of it and all the issues it took up, that I am capable OF discussing it! Hahahaa but the 25th anniversary package is just to die for, it's absolutely over the top, as sumptuous as the original movie and then some. If you liked the original movie, you must have this set!

Oh, we had a wonderful time reading "House of Sand and Fog." It is one of those unforgettable discussions.

I am reading Bridesheaed. This is a lovely book, Everyman's Library, printed in the UK in 1993 and bound in Germany. It has a ribbon to mark your place! 27 pages of introduction by Frank Kermode, a noted critic who taught at Harvard, Cambridge and Columbia. Also includes a chronology tracking Waugh's life, literary context and historical events. I had forgotten the how the very feel of a book enhances the enjoyment of the experience of reading. It doesn't have a bookplate identifying the donor but this surely is not the usual library purchase! As for the story, it is mesmerizing. There are so many literay allusions I feel as if I need an encyclopedia alongside so I can look up all the references. This would be an excellent discussion in the great books realm; it will keep us reading and writing for weeks.

Mrs. Sherlock, I hope we have the chance to read "Brideshead" here. This is too exciting.

Right now I have "Girl with the Pearl Earring" on hand from Netflix. Have any of you seen it. I haven't seen it yet, nor have I read the book.

Am going to have to check out the new anniversary ed. of Brideshead. According to Amazon, this new edition has closed captioning, where the earlier one did not. Maybe Sam's will have it and I can look for the little "cc" on the box, just to be sure. What a neat idea to tell where each scene was shot. Sounds like a winner.

pedln, I liked "Girl". The shots and lighting were set up to look like Vermeer paintings - and it was very effective. Enjoy.

pedln ~ Girl with the Pearl Earring was a very good movie. Scarlett Johansson did an excellent job. My husband Ray also enjoyed the movie.

The Brideshead continues a sumptuous feast, have finished the first DVD, the overcommentary (which was quite strange, apparently many of the principals have not seen the movie until now), I guess it's like asking a pianist to comment while he views a movie of his playing, it was clear they would like to shut up and watch.

Jeremy Irons appears quite shy, actually, he does a lot of "um hmmmm." He said Gielgud was actually more interested in which words he was speaking when he had to take out the fish bone out of his mouth in one dinner scene, I can't find it on the final tape, and in the long restaurant scene with the guy who rolled his eyes and stuttered (remember him? The guy over the top? He's one of the commentators interviewed too and he's really handsome, nothing like that character), but anyway they had issued to Jeremy Irons all sorts of stage directions.

Like "when he says XXX, then you pick up XXX and when he says YYY (because it's essentially a monologue) you do ZZZ," and he said he was really having to concentrate on each of them, and so Irons pointed out that they had affixed a list to the TIE of the outre character, which was not visible on screen, it's cut out of the picture, and Irons pointed out when he was reading the list and when he looked down on the table to read the list stuck on there.

It gives you a different understanding of acting and who the actors are, it really does. I like those commentaries. Johnny Depp's are always funny, and he's ALWAYS saying something nice about the others, it's amazing to listen to the different versions of commentary on the movies.

Julia has not aged particularly well, but hey! She talked about Lawrence Olivier, whom it appeared everybody loved on the set and how he complained that Gielgud had the best part hahahaa And that he actually had something wrong with his hands at the time but covered it well.

And that they ALL read the book, ALL of them, and wanted some things put back IN the movie that were not intended in the original 6 episode shoot, like Catholicism.

Can you imagine Brideshead, book or movie, without its Catholicism? The Church, after all, is what tears the family apart. The cast were right in wanting the thing that gave the characters meaning. And besides, it was the Hollywood film makers who wanted to leave out the Catholicism. Waugh would have no part of that, so he packed up and went back to England with his book, where, then, the BBC cranked out the 6-part masterpiece.

'Julia has not aged particularly well.'

Impossible. I've just taken another look at the movie, and she is as young and beautiful as ever, like the girl on the Grecian urn.

Yes the Catholicism in the 13 part Brideshead is quite pronounced, I'm not sure, having now watched 9 of the episodes ( I can't get that theme song out of my head) if Waugh was not saying the problem is not the Catholicism but how some of the faithful interpret it, I am beginning to think in the MOVIE it's the interpretation, now I am eager to read the book and see if that's what I get out of it.

For instance Charles tells Bridey that if he ever did lean toward Catholicism, Bridey would turn him totally off it, he had the habit of turning everything into nonsense or something like that. And Bridey said he had been told that before and that's one reason that he had not become a priest. Interesting stuff.

The aging of Cordelia in the film is a masterpiece, that woman did a heck of a job acting the young girl and growing up.

It's a complicated movie, very much so. I am trying to figure out now who Celia is, is she "Girl" Mulchester? That entire thing with "Boy" Mulchester is fascinating to me. What, did the father, the 9th Earl, simply call them Boy and Girl and the nicknames stuck? Interesting.

And then there's the character of Sebastian, of course named for the saint, and we know how HE died and it appears....it's quite interesting actually.

There are levels and tones and undertones, and lots of symbolism, right now we're on the ship tossing violently in the waves, being thrown about violently, (again the actors reveal that no floor moved at all!!! The director simply had a tall red flag and he'd hold it up in one direction and they all pitched that way or this and when you see it it's amazingly effective), Lady Marchbanks is dead and I still covet her funeral procession. ahahaha, and Charles is quite dead, too, actually, sort of a living death, can't imagine what Celia sees in him. Powerful stuff.

Have reluctantly finished the 11 episodes of Brideshead, have read the little accomplaning booklet for the last time and put away the disks. Sigh. Have been floating in reverie ever since I first got it. It's still super after 25 years.

Celia WAS "Girl" and it's Mulcaster, not Mulchester, and I still don't understand the ending, but I'm not sure that it would make such a good book for discussion, after all, because of the importance of understanding Catholicism that seems to drive the plot.

(Which is higher, by the way, a Duke or an Earl, anybody know)?

Anyway am now watching Edward and Mrs. Simpson with the incomparable Edward Fox, how perfect he is for that role, based on the book Edward VIII. This movie alone sent me into reading and buying something like 7 biographies of The Duke and Duchess of Windsor, fascinating couple.

I am also appreciating the wonderful supporting cast of Edward and Mrs. Simpson including the also incomparable Nigel Hawthorne as Walter Monckton and the guy who played Archbishop Cramner in the Six Wives of Henry VIII. I recognized him immediately by that VOICE, tho he does not look the same of course. In addition the part of Ernest Simpson is played by the same person who played Julia's husband Rex Mottram in Brideshead!! And he also looks exactly the same, so it's like old home week seeing this ensemble.

Ginny: I don't know about an Earl but a Duke is son of a King I believe.

If we take the DRAMATIS PERSONAE of Shakespeare's plays as a guide, we would have to conclude that a Duke ranks higher than an Earl.

Ginny, I can see your point about the Catholicism of Brideshead being a consideration when planning a discussion of the book.

From HowStuffWorks.com The order of the titles in British Isles nobility from highest to lowest are:

Duke (and duchess): The name is derived from the Latin dux, which means leader. Most dukedoms carry a place name, although that means little to the modern titles because the holders are not the sovereigns of a land area.
Marquess or marquis (and marchioness): This title appeared in England with the Norman conquest and was given to nobles who were in charge of border areas. The name is related to older words for a frontier.
Earl (and countess): The name comes from a Norse word, jarl, which meant leader. It is equivalent to a count in European nobility. Viscount (and viscountess): Pronounced VI-count, this title derives from the Latin comes for a companion and was sort of an assistant nobleman in the old days.
Baron (and baroness): The lowest rank of nobility came to England with the Normans, also, and the word is derived from the Norman word for a freeman. If you have a life peerage this is the highest title you can carry.

Great, thank you all, we've learned something already and we haven't cracked the book! hahaha

THAT is why "Boy Mulcaster" says he's the Viscount of whatever and his father is the 9th Earl!!!

SO the 9th Earl would have been an appointee? Or are they all? Interesting!

A Duke might be family but an Earl is appointed? My mother used to have friends in England who were brother or sister to a Duke, I never realized what that MEANT! hahaha Ignorance is bliss? hahahaa

Interesting on the Baron too, I sat next to the Baron of Argentina and his wife one year at the Royal International Carriage Driving Competition at Windsor one year (the year I stood next to the Queen whom I thought was a Girl's Guide till people started bowing), was not sure what that was.

Is Baron inherited? Are any of them inherited, I know Viscount is, apparently?

Mrs. Sherlock, I need to start the book, the classical allusions I don't think will worry us any more if we do decide to discuss it, than any other allusions do in any other book, but let me find out what you are saying, how far into it are you? I know you started some time ago? So far as the Catholicism, I am pretty sure we can find a priest willing to answer some questions, surely he would know?

I'm about 1/3 in. Took a break for some light reading: Elizabeth Berg, Cynthia Harrod-Eagles' The Dark Rose (Henry VIII meets Anne Boleyn), etc. Will get back to it this week.

Ok let me see if I can get 1/3 in too, since I just finished the movie it will be familiar to me. I must say the scenes of Oxford seemed right at home to me, having taken that course there that summer, the scenes seemed quite familiar. That was a fun thing, that course, and to see the streets and quads again was very nice, beautifully photographed, too. According to the commentary those were the actual rooms (remember the scene where Sebastian throws up thru the window of Charles' room?) those WERE Waugh's actual rooms at the college, can't remember which one now, in Oxford where Waugh lived. Until I went to Oxford I thought it was one school, forget that, I should have known better. Never too old to learn, right?

I think it's sweeter when you're older, you appreciate it more (since you have lugged around all this ignorance for so long? hahahaah) In my case, anyway. it's like a revelation. OH!! THAT'S what they've been talking about so long! hahahaa

Evelyn is pronounced EVE lyn and Waugh is pronounced Waw, FYI. According to the interview they did with him, anyway.

Ginny, thank you for the pronunciation. I have been pronouncing it like the woman's name.

I am looking at Love Story. I never read the book. This is my first time seeing the movie. It takes a couple days to look at a movie. I can never sit for the whole two hrs. or more, I have to break my time up. Tomorrow I will finish it.

I won't look at "Brideshead Revisited" until I read the book unless the DL tells me differently.

Hats, I understand what you mean about watching a movie. I usually take two or three days also. If I watch one all in one sitting it almost automatically gets 5 stars.

Blockbuster here has Brideshead, but I don't want to watch it with my eye on the clock, worrying about returning it. Blockbuster is running a special deal where you bring part of your mailer from Netflix and y ou can rent a free movie. I tried it a couple of time, now I know why I like Netflix so well. I spend too long in the store deciding, and then you have to return it after a week. But anyway, I think I'll have to own Brideshead, in order to savor it. Then the rest of the family can get in line.

Have just found a new oldie that I'm enjoying very much ==R.E. Delderfield's "To Serve Them All My Days." -- Episodes on disc. I'm just finishing No. 1. I think I read some of his things y ears ago, but don't remember the titles.

I'm flying out today. Happy HOlidays to all.

Hi Pedln,

I hope you have a wonderful trip. I didn't know about the Blockbuster deal. Thanks for mentioning it. I am watching "The Reading Room." It's not a book. So, I shouldn't mention it here. James Earl Jones stars in it. I really love James Earl Jones.

I love Netflix, and if anybody wants to borrow my Brideshead they are more than welcome to, it's got something like 5 DVD's on it and you can watch it at your own leisure.

Netflix here is so fast. I mail it on Monday and they send the new one Tuesday and I have it Wednesday, how fast can you GET?

I like the way you can see new movies too, but I just got thru looking at the Pirates of the Caribbean II, how they made the movie, and it's almost better than the movie itself, I love to see the creativity.

The Charlie and the Chocolate Factory had a bonus DVD showing an interview with the author Roald Dahl and his family and the cast of that one and the guy who wrote all the music and what he was trying to do, and the one man who played the Oompa Lumpas, Deep Roy. It was fascinating. Just finished the Corpse Bride, too and the bonus stuff on it (am getting really into movie mode here) hahahaa

I picked up Brideshead and read 4 lines and was plunged right into the movie again, they really did stay close to it.

I'm somewhat confused over the roles the various people play in a film, the Producer, the Assistant or Executive Producers and the Director, not sure how they all connect, actually.

But I can see how people become absolutely fascinated with film making, just finished a neato sort of "chick lit" book on the subject in the First Assistant, I liked it, very much. It's the second in a series, am now trying to find the first, called The Second Assistant. ahahaha

If I looked at the movie Brideshead Revisited first, would I have a better understanding of the book? Should I read the book first? I don't think Brideshead is easy reading. I could use some suggestions.

I'm not sure, Hats!!!! If you see the movie first you will forever be colored by those characterizations, it would depend on how strongly you feel about that. I saw the movie before I knew it was a book when it came on TV and then read the book, I think.... it's hard to say!

Seeing the movie first, for instance in the EF Benson books helped me enjoy the story more, but I can't read about "Georgie" and not see Nigel Hawthorne, and the same with Bridey in Brideshead.

Generally do you prefer to read the book first?

Ginny, usually, I won't see the movie until reading the book. Like you said, if I see the movie first, the characters playing the parts stick in my head.

I haven't read The Devil Wears Prada. Now the DVD is out. So, I must rush and read the book. I just love Meryl Streep. She is one of my favorite actresses.

Hats: I remember being confused by turns in the story as I watched the original PBS Brideshead series. For me, reading the book was better for understanding but there was still a lot of "connect the dots" that I had to struggle through. Probably the Oxford time had illusions which wnet over my head but I struggled on. Once past that stage the story ran along on its own steam. So hang in there. Its well worth it. I like the book because the mental images were not so lush as in the series. I can still see that house and Jeremy Irons and what's-his-name, interferred with my understanding?

Mrs. Sherlock, your post about Brideshead is very helpful. I am going to go with the book first.

I love Jeremy Irons. He is in a new movie called Eragon. Eragon is a book too. I believe a very young person wrote Eragon. I would like to read that book too.

Hi Hats - you haven't been around for a few days - we've missed you. I hope you were just busy with Christmas stuff.

Hi Mary, I have been busy wrapping gifts. I haven't finished shopping yet either. I bet you are busy too.

But, of course - although things don't really heat up around here until tomorrow and Thursday. John and I are spending Thursday and Friday nights at a local motel, and just leaving the house to the kids and grands. They get to keep talking, and we can head out when our ears get tired.

We've done this before - and it works.

That's wonderful! Great idea!

I saw the movie tonight, and I liked it more than I thought I would. It was actually much better than the book, which is not usually the case in books made into movies!

The book was entertaining and fun to read, but not at all realistic. The character of Miranda, was just too outrageous and rude to be believable. I remember discussing it in here, and we all had a hard time believing that anyone would continue to work in that environment!

In the movie, Merle Streep played her much softer and more vulnerable. She was still tough and demanding, but more real, and even just a tiny bit likeable. As usual, Streep did a first class job of acting, and has been nominated for a Golden Globe award.

I bet in the movie Meryl Streep wears some really fancy outfits. Does she? I like Meryl Streep as a person. I see her interviewed. She seems very earthy.

I put the movie on my queue. This time I am going to see the movie. I might not read the book at all.

Oh but I liked the book so much better than the movie!!! Don't get me wrong, I love Meryl Streep and I hope she gets an Oscar but she's nothing like Miranda in the book and the movie ended very strangely I thought.

The person the movie is based on, Anna Wintour, physically looks a lot more like the book describes, is British, young, and looks nothing like Meryl Streep and in the book is a lot nastier....my advice is to read the book!

Ginny, I am going to read the book first. Is Anna Wintour a "real" person??? That's very interesting. I am reminded of the woman, in New York I think, who owned all the hotels? I can't think of her name. She fired a lot of people, etc. I might have seen the movie about her. A senior moment, I can't think of her name.

That's it!!!!!! Mrs. Sherlock, I couldn't think of her name. It was on the tip of my tongue but.... Thanks! I think she was called the Queen of Mean.

Unfortunately, many successful women in our society have been labeled mean, too assertive or some other unkind label.

Is The Painted Veil by Somerset Maugham out yet? I happened to see the preview of the movie on Sunday Morning Show. The movie looks wonderful. I happened to catch The Razor Edge by Somerset Maugham on tv last week.

I don't know, Hats. I got caught up last week with Anna and the King of Siam, the Rex Harrison thing. I had not intended to watch it, but I had at one time seen Yul Brynner touring with the King and I, right before he died actually, and had read the book about her, which was fascinating, just fascinating. I recommend it.

But on TV they had the Anna and the King of Siam version by Jodie Foster, and is it Chow Yun Fat, not sure how to spell his name but boy is HE fabulous (and he's to be in the next Pirates of the Caribbean too, and they really were good, so since I only got to see abour 10 minutes of it, I ordered it from Netflix, and it's here. But there Rex Harrison was, in the SAME thing, and I'm not sure who the woman who played Anna was but Harrison and all his staff looked about as Siamese as I do, and I was about to turn it off when I got caught up in the acting, the wonderful acting of the woman who played Anna Leonowens and Harrison and spent the day bawling my head off hahaaaa It's quite moving.

It's quite different from the book and the two other movies, so I want to see, now, all of the different treatments and will watch the Jodie Foster one next.

The book about her life is likewise very fine, I am thinking (and may be wrong) it's an autobiography.

Whoops! Remember the Gilbert and Sullivan song, Things Are Seldom What They Seem?

SEEMS there's quite a controversy about The Truth About Anna Leonowens but who can you TRUST???

Hi Ginny, I loved The King and I. Yul Brynner and Deborah Kerr together in that movie were unforgettable. Remember the king's children? They were just adorable. I loved every single song in that movie. And her gowns, so pretty.

I love Rex Harrison. I missed that version of The King and I. I haven't read the book either. Thank you for the link.

I remember feeling so sad when Yul Brynner died. He was a great actor.

Yes, I remember that song. Gilbert and Sullivan wrote beautiful music.

When the king said etc, etc, etc, in the movie, that word was new to me. I can still hearing him say those words. Remember the song, "Whenever I'm afraid, I whistle a happy tune?"

So nice to hear Gilbert & Sullivan mentioned here (even if not quite the right section for it). I'm a huge fan.

I have a friend who lived in Siam for a number of years and says she can never see "The King and I" because of the distortions about Anna Leonowens, who was not quite the sweet, helpful woman that she is painted to be in the movie. I don't know that I want to know the truth. I love the fiction!

Ginny, that article about Anna Leonowens is really shocking. It does hurt to learn the truth. Is it the truth? Like Pontius Pilate said "What is truth?"

I've just finished reading Mockingbird, a biography of Harper Lee (To Kill a Mockingbird). It was not a particularly easy read, but it was interesting to read about her life. She certainly had an interesting relationship (both personal and professional) with her life-long friend, Truman Capote.

Have you seen the movie Capote, Mary? Capote was fortunate to have such a good friend.

An interesting article in today's NYT, comparing the movie Children of Men with the P.D. James novel written 14 years ago. Quote and link below.

"As Ms. James said in an interview when the book came out: “The detective novel affirms our belief in a rational universe because, at the end, the mystery is solved. In ‘The Children of Men’ there is no such comforting resolution.” It is comforting for both moviegoers and readers, though, to have Clive and P. D. as the season’s best odd couple."

Contrasting a P. D. James Novel and the Movie It Inspired

pedln, I haven't seen that movie. According to "Mockingbird" (which of course is written about Lee), Capote used her talents to help him get his material for "In Cold Blood", and then gave her no credit for her help. Presumably, because of his abrasive personality, he wouldn't have been able to talk to many of the sources without Lee paving the way for him. She was very hurt by the slight. We'll never know which story is true, I suppose, but I think I'd lean toward that interpretation.

How intriguing that Boris Karloff was related to the (in)famous Anna! Capote just arrived from Netflix; I'll have to read Mockingbird now.

Mrs. Sherlock, I'll be interested to hear Capote's version of Lee's role in the researching of the material for In Cold Blood.

"Night at the Museum" by Milan Trenc was the book that the movie, Night at the Museum, was based on. My grandson said he read the book in 6th grade, but didn't say if the movie followed the book.

I saw Night at the Museum Christmas night. - a funny show with lots of crazy action. A laugh-out-loud thing.

I am watching The Da Vinci Code. This movie is really good. I didn't read the book. I am sidetracked by the beauty of the Louvre. Is that a glass construction? It's beautiful. Ron Howard did a really good job directing this movie. I am tempted to say Opie.

I'm going to see Night at the Museum on Friday, am looking forward to it.

I'm hooked on the Hetty Wainthropp and Rosemary and Thyme series and am burning up my Netflix to accommodate them. I really LOVE Netflix.

I think that Brideshead Revisited was about as GOOD as the book but not superior to it.

I now, having seen The Pursuit of Happyness which I absolutely LOVED, want to get the book about the real person. If Will Smith does not get a best actor nomination for that performance there is no justice, he was magnificent, just wonderful. I'd like to have a copy of that one.

Oh, I really want to see The Pursuit of Happyness. Ginny the little boy in the movie is Will Smith's biological son. The book is checked out at my library. I want to read it badly. I want to see Night at the Museum too.

The new Curious Minds topic is open for discussion.

Curious Minds

Bill H

hello I am a great fan of Jane Austen's novels and I am always thrilled to discover new adaptations in the cinema I recently watched Pride and Prejudice for the 100 time it is very beautiful and it is great to listen to what the director is saying about all the choices he had to make

Welcome, eirini, aren't those DVD's wonderful? I have just spent hours watching the ones on several DVD's, I think it really makes you appreciate film making as an art, don't go anywhere, now, and welcome to the Books Into Movies discussion!

Did you like the movie or the book better?!?

It is good that you have found us. An official welcome is on its way to you. If you have any questions, do not be shy- ask away!

Hi Alf!! I missed you.

How are you?

I just ordered Brideshead revisited and Elizabeth I in my movie queque.

Hi Alf, I am glad you are back. I just finished watching The Da Vinci Code. I really loved it. Can't decide whether to look at Brideshead before reading the book. Any recommendations?

I've got DaVinci on order as well. I don't know which way to go with Brideshead but I'm going to give it a rip next week.

I might give it a "rip" too.

hello concerning pride and prejudice, the BBC production as TV series was the best as the dialogues and characters of Pride and prejudice were remarquably reproduced

as about the Da Vinci Code I think of the film quite a flop really I only read the 200 first pages of the book but it was rather exciting reading it, and very rich with technical details about painting and art history in a general way! but I really wouldn't say it was a good film!

Eirini, my reasons for liking The Da Vinci Code might surprise you. I could follow the plot without totally getting lost. That shocked me. I thought the whisperings about secret societies, flashing from the present to the past would cause dust to fly in my eyes. Plus, I sat through all of Silas' tortures to his flesh almost without a screech, almost. I may become a person who likes wild car chases through the night, etc. I also wanted to remain true to Ron Howard I wanted to go around saying he had done a fine job. Also, the backdrop of the Louvre fascinated me.

A flop???? I wouldn't say you were wrong. You might have your toe on a good argument.

Really, I rarely find a movie better than the book. A movie is picked and pruned and changed to fit our enjoyment in the space of a few hours or less. The author has all the time in the world to jiggle our minds and make us like what he has spent so many years writing.

Welcome eirini. I'll let you know what I think of the DaVinci code after watching it.
I agree, Hats, I can't think of one movie other than Breakfast at Tiffanys that I enjoyed better than the book.

Hello eirini - Last night I watched the 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice, and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a pleasure to watch Keira Knightly, as Elizabeth. She is an incredible actress, and was nominated for the Academy Award for this performance. However, I don't believe she got it? (will have to look it up.)

The others were excellent also. Brenda Blethyn as the mother, was suitably hysterical. I remember how good she was in the title role of "Saving Grace". Mr. Bennet was played by Donald Sutherland, who seems to be ending his career playing wise old fathers!

I thought he was also good playing Nicole Kidman's father in "Cold Mountain". I didn't care much for Judy Dench as lady Katherine ... the fright wig was atrocious!

I have mixed feelings about The DaVinci Code. I thought the book was better, because it went into so much historical detail on every aspect of the story. If a person hadn't read the book, I doubt that they would have understood what was going on in the movie?

Speaking of Cold Mountain - that is one of the few movies that I think was BETTER than the book. I've seen it twice now, and enjoyed it even more the second time.

One of the best Movies-better-than-books, for me, was The English Patient. Did read the book first, still thought the movie was outstanding, in an understated way.

ALF ~ Which Elizabeth 1 did you order? The version with Kate Blanchet as Elizabeth was a very good movie. Many great performances in it. I used to be an avid fan of the Elizabethan Renaissance, and still am to a degree, but have been reading fiction lately rather than my nonfiction books.

On BookTV (C-Span2), Sunday evening, 8:40-9 p.m. ET, there will be a short interview with the author of Mockingbird - the biography of Harper Lee.

Thanks for the heads-up on Mockingbird, Mary. Tomorrow will be a rich evening. Did you all see Marcie's announcement about the PBS broadcast of Jane Eyre on Sunday (1/21 and 1/28)?

I'm currently watching the DVD 25th Anniversary of Brideshead Revisited and am thoroughly enjoying it -- only into the second episode. As I watch, I keep thinking, "I can't wait to start reading this book. This film will surely be good background for it." I love the scenery and am glad I'm seeing it before reading the book.

Re: Da Vinci Code. My thoughts on both novel and film -- they were just that -- fiction, nothing more. I liked the book, as a mystery, but think the marketing of it is what kept it on the best seller list for so long. The movie was enjoyable, but kind of slow getting started.

I'm looking forward to seeing the 2005 Pride and Prejudice. Last year I bought the PSB 2006 version of Bleak HOuse -- wonderful. I savored every minute and now it's being passed around the family.

Watched Bee Season a few weeks ago. SeniorNet read a book a few years back. An unhappy book and the same with the movie. Dysfunctional family. If you haven't read the book, you'll think there are some real gaps in the movie.

MaryZ, thank you for telling us. Pedln, Then, I should see it first too. Mippy, I have always wanted to read The English Patient. I haven't seen the movie yet.

Here is a link to the web site for the Jane Eyre program that will be broadcast this evening in many areas: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/masterpiece/janeeyre/

We're suggesting that those who see it, post about it in this discussion.

Cold Mountain was on my TV tonight and I started to watch it, but stopped. Nicole Kidman is just too beautiful and with a phony Southern accent for Ada. In my mind as I read Ada was not ugly, but plain and probably spoke with a mountain twang, not a syrupy Southern accent. I loved the book, couldn't put it down.

I'm impatiently waiting for Masterpiece Theater to start. I'd hoped it would start at 8:00 CST, but had to wait until 9:00. Jane Eyre is one of my favorite novels--and there have been several good films of this book, but uh oh, I hope this desert thing I'm seeing right this minute is not part of the new version. Sue

hello I went to the PBS site to look at the Jane Eyre, of course I think highly of this book, but unfortunately can't watch it as I live abroad

have you read "the tenant of wildfell hall" by Anne Bronte? I watched the BBC mini tv series yesterday and it was quite extraordinary, very very close to the book and the curious thing was that two of the actors from the Jane Eyre show were in this series too, Toby Stephens and Tara Fitzgerald (they were playing the two main caracters.

I am glad some of you liked the Pride and Prejudice, (2005) I think that the actor playing Mr Darcy was really good, I would say he had a way to express his feelings just by not saying things I would say he played better than Keira Kneightly, am I wrong?

You know the pride and prejudice BBC series with Colin Firth made SO many british women (and men propably) stay at home watch the episode where he is swiming in the lake If anyone has read "The bridget Jones Diary" in the book this episode is a big issue

The bridget Jones Diary was entirely and completely influenced by Jane Austen, especially Persuasion and Pride and Prejudice the male caracter IS called Darcy and is played by Colin Firth!

I watched Part I of Jane Eyre last night and thought it was wonderful! It has so many more scenes than in other versions I've seen. I just love Toby Stephens as Rochester. That romantic 19th century haircut and the curls! I've never seen him in anything before. And I think Ruth Wilson as Jane Eyre is very very good although (sorry) her upper lip bothers me. What a stupid thing. But she reminds me of Marge Simpson. (terrible thing for me to say, but I can't help it.) However, Jane Eyre was not supposed to be beautiful, and often the actresses playing her are very beautiful.

Isn't the mansion - castle, actually - and its grounds fabulously magnificent! I think this is the best version I've seen yet. What do you think?

I agree whole-heartedly. Although, I do love that upper lip. She reminds me of Julia Roberts with those gorgeous lips. She is amazingly genteel, gentle and believable as Jane Eyre.

I have never seen Toby Stevens before either but admit that I am quite smitten. Poor lil Jane doesn't have a chance. I can not wait until Part II tonight.

I, also, enjoyed the film last night. Mr. Rochester was a tad handsome for my taste--I loved the George C. Scott Rochester of some years back. He was so deliciously craggy and worn looking and seemed so right for the decadent life he'd led prior to Jane.

I do think the sparks will fly when this Rochester and Jane get together--you could feel the tension between them in last night's episode. I've never seen either before--so I have no knowledge of any other roles they have played.

Alf, you are truly fortunate to see the second half tonight. We won't get it here until next Sunday. It'll be just my luck to forget that it's on! Sue

I taped the Jane Eyre, but probably won't even watch it until tomorrow, as I admit that tonight revolves around the soap-terrorist-opera 24. But I'll be glad to talk about Jane Eyre as soon as I watch it. I read the book so long ago I don't remember any details.

I haven't watched the recording yet either. I may wait and watch the two together.

After watching the PBS Masterpiece Theater production of "Jane Eyre" last night, I just had to find out when it was written. Charlotte Bronte wrote it in 1847, thirteen years before Wilkie Collins wrote Woman in White. So many of the elements in C. Bronte's story we see in Woman in White. How many did you notice?

The look-alike Dent twins. Funny I don't remember reading about them in the novel, but can't believe they were made for TV and I haven't read Jane Eyre in years.

Also, the conversation between Jane and Mr. Rochester regarding Adele's father. Because she didn't LOOK like Mr. R., he couldn't be her father.
How about the after-dinner conversation regarding the novel, "The Beast Within" - remember that discussion on whether someone guilty of a crime can go undetected?

The Ouija Board game - touches of the supernatural. Same with the fortune teller. As Scrawler points out - "we have "feelings" of the supernatural in the gothic romances, but Of course, nothing supernatural is occurring"

I too felt we missed a lot of the book, but we get the plot. "I did think that the "mood" music added very much to the movie which of course no book can ever give you." Scrawler, I think the mood music took the place of the author's words to create the atmosphere. Otherwise, all we get of Charlotte Bronte is plot and dialog. The cinematography did the same thing...created the mood.

I'm looking forward to seeing how Diane Setterfield incorporated the Gothic elements of these novels she grew up loving in her Thirteenth Tale. If you liked Jane Eyre and these big gothic tales, Thirteenth Tale might be to your liking. We begin this discussion on Feb. 1.

ps. Bruce asked me if I thought Ruth Wilson had Botox lips, Marni. You weren't the only one who noticed that.

I thought Mr. Rochester was too cute in a Hugh Grant kind of way. He's supposed to be formidable, unapproachable even. But it's a good story, and as Babi says, it wasn't "oppressive." To me, the more oppressive the story, the better the ending - no where to go, but UP!

I watched "Jane Eyre" last night and thoroughly enjoyed it. It was a little "lighter" than the other productions of "Jane Eyre" that I have seen, but more enjoyable because of it.

Evelyn

Oh well, I believe it will be shown next Sunday night. At least I don't have to compete with a playoff Football game.

It has been many years for me too, Joan but I do not remember any twins in the book--so- this is like a whole different story to me. I was a kid when I read it and as an adult (with kid tendancies of course) I am really enjoying the presentation.

I didn't remember twins in Jane Eyre either. Also I didn't remember the book The Beast Within. I think I'll have to re-read the book.

I absolutely loved the way they filmed the foggy scene when Jane first met Rochester as she walked to mail her letter. The dog came charging out of the gloom like a huge monster and Rochester almost rode her down. I loved the dog. So frightening at first and then such a sweety when she sees him outside of her bedroom door. What kind of dog is it, anyway?

Yes, Marnie, isn't the dog great! I wonder if it took a lot of training to get it to act so perfectly.
I think it's just a well-trained mutt.
The music overlay does not help, IMO, although I think some said they enjoyed it. A bit too much for me.

I also wonder if the twins were added in this version; cannot find my old copy of the book, which I probably loaned to someone years ago.

Hi everyone, I've been absent because of work. Busy, busy. Teaching two new books this semester, ones I've never read. We are just finishing The Known World which we have really enjoyed. I read it along with them, never going ahead. We could all guess which characters (there are many in the novel) would reappear and which wouldn't.

But I came in to speak of the Jane Eyre series on PBS. That huge dog is, I think, an Irish wolfhound. Maybe not, but looks like one. I liked the scene where it's the dog at the door (he's apparently taken a liking to Jane) and Jane sends him back to his master.

I also recommend Pan's Labyrinth for those of you who are not squeamish. It's a wonderful movie, but it is dark and there's a lot of violence in it, none of it gratuitous.

Bless your heart, there you are. Come tell us, Professor, were there twins in the Jane Eyre novel or not?

Hi Professor Deems, glad you are back. Goody gumdrops!

Deems! I think you're right! I looked up photos of Irish wolfhounds and the Jane Eyre dog does look like that. Here's a good one - scroll down to see the painting:

http://www.hoflin.com/B/IrishWolfhound.html

I read here that the Irish Wolfhound is the world's tallest breed of dog. Scroll down to see "Ruby."

http://www.irishwolfhounds.org/

I went to the library today and checked out Jane Eyre. I hope I can get it read before Sunday, but I have several meetings and a dinner/dance to attend. Unfortunately the print is very small which may slow down the reading.

I also checked out Anne Bronte's The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. Didn't someone here mention this book recently? I've never read it. Sue

Boy was I shocked yesterday. I requested 6 books. It usually takes any where from 1 to 6 weeks to get the books I want and I have all four of them at once. I'm in hog heaven!

Here's one you will not believe, fans of Brideshead Revisited?

I have become obsessed on Netflix with the Rosemary and Thyme series from PBS, where two gardening women go about and solve mysteries, very very good series. I'm hooked, like it better than Hetty Wainthropp which I'm also enjoying. Last night we went to a posh private school to redo the gardens and the CLASSICS instructor (

) sounded familiar. The set of his head, the way he carried himself and spoke, everything about him looked familiar, very posh accent. I could not place him and suddenly it hit! COULD IT BE?

And I had to stop the movie and see the credits and YES it IS!! Anthony Andrews! Sebastian!!! Older, wiser and with sort of dark reddish brown hair but Sebastian in the flesh and he's just the same? He's just the same, but now "he's" teaching Classics, it's marvelous.

So if you get thru Brideshead and are suffering Sebastian withdrawal you can see him again in the 2004 series of Rosemary and Thyme (the one which starts out with the episode "They Understand Me in Paris," which is an absolute HOOT and so funny I have ordered the series to own.

I've always felt the monks in BR did a wonderful thing when they took him in. And restored him to life.

I like the idea of the rehabilitated Sebastian much better than the dying and dead golden boy that Waugh leaves us with.

Ginny, I have never heard of Rosemary and Thyme. I just added the first one to the top of my queue. I love gardening mixed with a mystery.

I just finished watching Must Love Dogs. I didn't read the book. The movie is soooo funny. You can't stop laughing.

Oh Hats, you must get the episode called They Understand Me in Paris, I think it's series 2, it's absolutely the funniest thing, I'm working my way thru the series slowly.

Jonathan, hahaah that's one of the criticisms of the movie actually, according to the extra stuff and interviews, they wanted to sew up Sebastian, even if it was the sister talking about him, I hope we vote to discuss that book but I think it's way over my head.

Of course it's NOT Sebastian resurrected but what did interest me was how many of the mannerisms of Anthony Andrews we think of AS Sebastian, they're HIS not Sebastian's. Interesting.

Now Hats, when the Rosemary and Thyme comes? I want you to GUESS how old both those women are? Guess? But DON'T look it up! Guess!!!

Several of us mentioned that the new Mr. Rochester is much too handsome. I've read about 1/4 of the Jane Eyre I checked out yesterday. Here's what Jane had to say (on 2 different pages):

...but I traced the general points of middle height, and considerable breadth of chest. He had a dark face, with stern features and a heavy brow; his eyes and gathered eyebrows looked ireful and thwarted just now; he was past youth, but had not reached middle age: perhaps he might be thirty-five. I felt no fear of him, and but little shyness. Had he been a handsome, heroic-looking young gentleman, I should not have dared to stand thus questioning him against his will...

...I knew my traveller with his broad and jetty eyebrows; his square forehead, made squarer by the horizontal sweep of his black hair. I recognized his decisive nose, more remarkable for character than beauty; his full nostrils, denoting, I thought, choler; his grim mouth, chin and jaw---yes, all three were very gri, and no mistake. His shape, now divested of cloak, I perceived harmonized in squareness with his physiognomy: I suppose it was a good figure in the athletic sense of the term--broad chested and think flanked; though neighter tall nor graceful...

These descriptions come from Jane's first encounters with Rochester. Don't you love Bronte's descriptive passages? Sue

Ginnie, I noticed that my library has many of the PBS and BBC series on DVD. I have seen some Rosemary and Thyme programs, but didn't know about Hetty Wainthropp. I'll go back when I have time to watch and check out a series at a time. Thanks for the information about both.

Hats, I was looking for "Must Love Dogs" when I was looking at the library. They have very few new movies, mostly classics and those from PBS and BBC. So I'm going to the video store when I have some free time. I really want to see that movie. It sounds like a cute, funny, chick flick. Sue

Ginny, I will remember to do it. I will guess. Sue, you will love it.

Thank you, Sue, and Hats. The most interesting thing to me this time around with the Hetty Wainthropp series, which I never really saw a lot of in the first place, is the interview, I think it's in the first series DVD, which Patricia Routledge gives about the character.

I now notice things I did not. For instance this area where it's filmed, the North of England, she says she knows that area and she grew up there and she knows the people. I now see a lot of broken windows and definitely a lack of money, some of the people's accents in the 3rd series I can't understand, and I see that she's deliberately taken on the appearance of a sort of middle class pensioner.

I was expecting Hyacinth Bouquet, and was disappointed, initially, but but I like her, now: she has dignity, Routledge is dead serious about her character and the need to portray her with integrity, and I like the character she's made and the relationship between her and her husband, Robert, and the young man who now is quite a star himself (and still ugly, Pat) hahahaa He got his start in that series before moving on to... is it.. what famous series is he in Lord of the Rings? They literally picked him off the street.

This series, I think, is harder to get used to than Rosemary and Thyme, whose second series is SOOO superior to the first that if I were recommending one, I'd say start with the 2nd. The first series, you see Hats, if you don't agree, of Rosemary and Thyme, focuses too much on Rosemary's obvious face work, plastic surgery for Felicity Kendall and wrinkles. You don't see them in the second, see if you all don't agree if you watch them, and don't give up on the series because of the first set, the second is vastly superior, and I love the beautiful gardens we're in.

The Hetty Wainthropp reminds me of a "new" author I've found, Ann Purser, who I guess is hardly new, and one of her detectives, very much. I want to mention that in the Book Nook.

Hello to everyone, I fancy ery much Patricia's Wentworth detective stories with her main caracter Miss Silver, do you know these books? Miss Silver is SO much like Miss Marple but the stories were written long before miss Marple made her appearance. This author is supposed (that is what I read on the book, but is it true?) to have created the "armchair detective" typical english victorian old lady whom evrybody loves do you know if there have been any tv adaptations?

Did anyone read the tenant of wildfell hall or bridget jones?

Hello, eirini, I like Miss Silver too. Welcome to SeniorNet.

Eirini, I have heard of Miss Silver and never read one but I sure am in the mood, will you recommend the one you think would be best to start with? I don't know of any film adaptations, but I'd love to read her, myself now that you describe it so well!

Eirini--I've read the Tenant of Wildfell Hall, but it was years ago. Let us know what you think.

Maryal

hello again I am glad to see some of you know miss Silver I do really think all of the books by Patricia Wentworth are great but I will check for some titles for you some of her books are with a man chief inspector I can't really remember his name right now what makes miss Silver so nice is that she is really interested in helping others

Are you the person who mentioned Anne Bronte's The Tenant of Wildfell Hall a week or so ago? I checked it out of the library this week, but am still reading C. Bronte's Jane Eyre.

For those who were wondering about the twins at the Thornfield houseparty, there are 2 rather vapid sisters, but they are not twins. The director/screenwriter has taken a little liberty with the script, I suppose because of the visual effect.

I'm eager to see the conclusion. I've come to the part in the book where Jane has returned to Thornfield after going to Aunt Reid's for the final goodbyes. Mr Rochester has just proposed.Sue

hello I have several times thought of the talent and imagination the Bronte sisters had. I have also thought about the strange environment they were living in, in order to be inspired in this way. The tenant of Wildfell hall choses a faraway austere place to live in and doesn't wish for people's friendship. I believe the Bronte lives (that were all brief) were nourished by their isolation, mutual company and a superb but strange landscape. When they were young one of their games was to invent litterature and theatre games. But the most awkward thing is how Emily Bronte (and you can read about this in George Bataille essay about her) who died without ever meeting a lover but who was completely capable of writing such a great noel about a dark and tormented love story

for those who have not read The tenant of Wildfell hall I really recommend it, it is beautiful to see how this woman tries to find peace in isolation with the help of her little boy's love.

I forgot to say that the Bronte sisters hated Jane Austen's novels speak to you soon eirini

I didn't realize that the Bronte sisters hated Jane Austen's novels, but that makes sense. The Bronte's wrote dark, brooding novels and Austen's depicted a more conventional "mannered" England. I have read and loved all of Austen's and several of the Bronte novels. Sue

I do love both Jane Austen and the Bronte sisters, of course, just that I do see different things in the two novels, they found different ways to torment the female caracters, Jane Austen is a lot about society while the Bronte is more about isolation in the end tough they both write about the soul and love now do you think men appreciate Jane Austen as much as women do? I have no idea really, my husband likes very much the BBC production of pride and prejudice with Colin Firth!

Me, too, eirini. Colin Firth is quite a dish. I loved his Darcy in "Bridget Jones Diary", the movie. I haven't read that book, but think I would enjoy it. Sue

hi there if you haven't read the bridget jones diary and the edge of reason you should definitely do it,, especially if you liked the film because the books are really brilliant, they are both rich with ridicule and exaggeration, really!

they are also written like diaries and you can see that the girl counts the cigarettes she smokes everyday, the pounds she looses and the amount of alcohol she drinks - really funny and absurd

We had a wonderful marathon of mysteries recently on one of the PBS stations & I indulged myself and finished a couple of embroidery projects that had been hanging around for while..there were a couple of those R&T plus other stuff Miss Marple as well. I can't say that I was particularly thrilled with the new Jane Eyre the gal is comely,the fellow particularly brooding (and annoying) atmosphere good.......seen it all before...I was not interested enough to want to see last Sunday's offering, except in passing. Colkots

hello I am also looking for good adaptations of the Jules Verne books for the family, does anyone have any ideas? thank you eirini

Colkot, I've been trying to get back in here forever to say I'm enjoying a mini marathon of Rosemary and Thyme, too and I like it so much I've ordered Series Three from 2006, which is supposedly not ready till the 20th but which came on Thursday, I have promised myself a long wonderful set of evenings before the fire, I wish they had made a million of them.

Since I'm running out of them, I'm enjoying Jeeves and Wooster from Netflix as well as the new Hetty Wainthropp, just having a ball.

eirini, I don't know of any adaptations of Jules Verne for the whole family, have you tried just the original? I'd hate to see somebody fool with Jules Verne! He's super!

There WAS a book which had a sort of illustration on the right like a large black and white illustration and the text on the left, but I can't recall, seems it was for younger readers, but I can'r recall which one it was!

Have you checked something like Amazon for Jules Verne for Young Readers? (I don't know if that would help or not?)

OK Pedln reports she has finished with Brideshead and loved every second of it and strongly recommends it before reading the book, if any of you would like it, she can ship it to you for viewing, just holler.

I don't know how young the children in your family are, but my DIL bought a few children's classics editions for her sons--ages 9 and 7--and they had poor quality paper, were condensed and IMO not motivating or interesting. This is just my opinion, but I'd go to a bookstore and take a good look at this type of book before buying.

I think children as young as 10-12 who are good readers might be interested in reading the originals--especially if a Granny read a bit with them or to them at first. Sue

Yes, I surely did love every minute of Brideshead, the film, and am now looking forward to reading the book. I wouldn't exactly call it background material, but a bit of preparation. There's such lavish visual detail and depictions of the lifestyles of the aristocracy. And of course the acting is superb. I'm not saying any more. Just -- don't miss it.

Last night I watched a very powerful film -- Sophie Scholl: the final days -- a true story about a young woman arrested for her involvement in a German anti-Nazi resistance group, The White Rose. Last year it received an Academy Award nomination as one of the best Foreign Langauge films.

I don't know anything about the books -- Amazon lists a few --
The Short Life of Sophie School and Sophie Scholl and the White Rose While the film focuses on Sophie, her brother Hans and another young man are also brought to trial. This is a very tense film as one watches this young woman so steadfastly defend her views. Highly recommended.

Yesterday I received a new DVD which I had preordered. I watched it last night. It is "Marie Antoinette". I missed the movie when it was playing here. Friends had told me that it was such a beautiful film and they could not believe I had not seen it. I was even told that it would not be good on DVD. These friend s said it must be seen on the big screen. They were so wrong!. It is just beautiful right here on my computer screen.

It is based on the the biography of Marie Antoinette by Antonia Fraser,"Marie Antoinette, The Journey". I really want to read this book now. I had thought that I knew all there was to know about Marie Antoinette since I have an advanced degree in history as well as a degree in French. The movie is truly wonderful. The scenery is beautiful. The costuming is outstanding. The portrayal of Marie Antoinette is in my opinion very good. I have always had a soft spot in my heart for this tragic, much maligned, and much misunderstood lady.

I just cannot say enough about how visually stunning this film is. I will be watching it again very soon.

Joan Grimes

A few months ago I read one of John Grisham's most powerful novels: "The Chamber." This novel was also made into a movie, staring Gene Hackman, Faye Dunaway, and Chris O'Donnel. The movie received poor reviews from the critics. Why am I not surprised! Not many movies from books are worthwhile. However, Grisham's novel is outstanding.

The title of the book refers to the gas chamber used in the state of Mississippi in the early '50s and '70s. At first, I believed the story would depress me but Grisham writes the tale in an extraordinary way and sprinkles it with a bit of humor. The bit of humor and suspense of the story soon removed that thought from my mind.

I was toying with the idea of proposing "The Chamber" as book discussion at a later time. I hesitate to do so because some members of the African-American community and some members of the Jewish faith may find it not quite politically correct. As I stated before, the core of the story takes place in Mississippi from the '50s through the '70s. The crimes deal with the members of these two communities. Need I say more! But, again, John Grisham writes this book in such a way that, in this enlightened age, minority members may not find it offensive. However, not being a member of these two societies, I'm not in a position to say this with any certainty.

I suppose I'm putting out feelers to find out what the members of these two communities think about discussing this novel.

In any event, if you have not already done so, please read "The Chamber." It an immensely suspenseful story, a real page turner, and there are several interesting subplots (if that is the correct terminology) woven throughout the story. But lurking in the background, always lurking throughout the story is The Chamber.

You will find it great reading entertainment and you will learn a lot about the criminal justice system as it pertains to capitol punishment. Grisham is very good about teaching us the law.

I thought it may be a good idea to discuss the novel and the movie together, however, after reading the poor reviews the movie received, I no longer believe this to be so. I did not see the movie but I can't picture Gene Hackman as Sam Cayhall.

Bill H

Bill, our high school students were fans of John Grisham and we had most of his books in our school library. The sociology teacher gave a lot of leeway in the book reports he allowed for his classes. The Chamber was acceptable because its depiction of the processes involved with capital punishment. The size of the book did not deter the better students. It's been a long time since I read and I don't remember too many of the details.

Bill H I have not read The Chamber. I am never put off a book because of racial differences. Surely, the book would lead to new understandings we could hash out together. I haven't seen the movie. Of course, seeing the word KKK does make my stomach churn.

Still, I would like to read the book. Reading a book doesn't always lead me to see the movie. In this case, I would have no interest in seeing the movie. I do want to read the book.

Bill: We can't change history. The events which occurred in the past must be examined in the light of their context, not by applying present standards. It sounds as if this would make a very lively discussion with many contributors. We all lived through those times.

I think one of the hardest things to do, is 'to see the past through today's glasses'. Revisonist history is so wrong, IMO.

Bill H, my opinions change back and forth lately. Now, after sleeping, I feel as though my mind could not handle thinking of the KKK. I can where other posters might want to read about that time. Mrs. Sherlock makes a good point. I have to admit that GinnyAnn's words do make sense.

Hi, Hats. I would rather not undertake a discussion that would cause pain to someone, myself included. But there must be a conscious effort to get past the past. South Africa has made remarkable progress in getting over its past. I'm sure that there are pockets of reactionaries left, but we can hope that attrition will take care of the worst of them. Psychologists say that pain must be talked out, not allowed to scab over; the wounds don't heal without air. In other words, I am ambivalent, too.

Mrs. Sherlock, maybe we are leaning to a yes more than a no. What is stopping us from just saying "yes?" If you say yes, I say yes. I respect your opinion.

What the H---. Let's go for it.

I agree. Let's go for it.

Mrs. Sherlock, I love your spirit. Let's roll with the punches. Hmmmm. I have used that word twice today.

Pedlin,Hats, MrsSherlock,and gaj

Thank you for posting your thoughts.

MrsSherlock

Yes, it would make for a lively discussion.

However, Hats pointed out that after thinking it over it may not be to her liking. I can understand this, and the same thought may be experienced by other SN members of these two communities. Perhaps it may be wise for you folks to read this story and then post your thoughts here if you still think I should propose The Chamber for discussion.

I can never truly know the hurt the members of the African-American community or the members of the Jewish faith endured throughout history. But I can say with certainty I never wish to have the stigma of racism or bigotry associated with my name or with SeniorNet. I was a higher level supervisor in the US Postal Service and I pride myself on never using unfair treatment of a person or group on the basis of prejudice. In fact, if one is a bigot, one does not achieve promotions in the US Postal Service.

Bill H

Bill H, I am sure no one here thinks of you in such horrible terms. I have always thought of you as a very kind man. You would make an excellent Discussion Leader for The Chamber. Is there a possibility you might change your mind???

Bill: I'll read it and get back. How about you, Hats, will you read it too? Although I do not represent any opinion but my own, I was born in the south; and family tradition has it that my German immigrant great-grandfather's Creek wife had black blood, too.

I must correct myself because when I wrote 'to see the past through today's glasses',I meant to say to 'NOT see the past through today's glasses'. This is difficult but necessary to understand the time being studied.

Wellllll, I hate to read it before the discussion. I want my feelings to be new and raw while reading with the group. We can trust Bill H's opinion as a Seniornet Discussion Leader. So, why not just take the plunge. Let's not open the book until we read it together that's what I say. After all, we aren't reading x-rated material. We are reading about our American History. I would say after fifty and beyond we are strong enough to take a dose of anything and learn from it. Only by coming together and looking at our past can we come to a deeper understanding of one another.

Also, I trust John Grisham. I have seen him on tv interviews. He is an honorable and upright man. He is a man who believes in justice. So, I definitely want to read "The Chamber."

For sure, you all know about the Bookmarks Magazine article about SeniorNet Books, written and submitted by Ginny and Jane. I subscribe and am hopefully waiting for my copy. Besides its wonderful articles and reviews of books, it also, in each issue, has a heads-up on Movies from Books. From last month's issue . . . .

And happiness happiness, opening in March is The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri. Also, The Nanny Diaries, and opening this month, Hannibal Rising, and from the 1978 Newbery Award winner by Katherine Paterson, Bridge to Terabitha.

Pedln, I loved The Namesake. I can't believe it's going to be a movie. Great news. And Bridge to Terebitha too? I read that to my grandchildren, I think. I read at least part of it I know. What a wonderful story.

Hats, thank you for those very kind remarks. They are greatly appreciated. Now that it has been met with approval, I will be going through with the discussion of The Chamber (date to be set at a later date).

It is a dramatic story and one that would definetly make for a fine discussion.

Bill H

Great! Mrs. Sherlock, isn't this good news?

Bill and Hats: I look forward to reading the booik and the discussion that results. I would not have read this book without your mentioning it, Bill. But I'm glad you did.

Hats and MrsSherlock, thanks again

Bill H

How many of the Academy Award nominees (and the films they represent) are from books? Until this morning's CNN broadcast I was unaware about the film for which Will SMith has been nominated best actor -- The Pursuit of Happiness. This morning CNN interviewed the former homeless man, ? Gardner?, who wrote the book of the same title. It sounds like a very motivating film and is definitely going on my Netflix que.

Not exactly books, but we will be getting the first season of BBC programs based on the Hamish MacBeth books by M. C. Beaton. Last year, we got to visit the village in Scotland where the series was filmed. I'll report on how we liked the programs.

Pedln, yes, I am looking forward to reading the book, The Pursuit of Happyness and seeing the movie on Netflix. Surely, Will Smith will win an Oscar. How in the world did that Homeless man become a millionaire? It's amazing. Will Smith's little boy plays in the movie too.

Hats, thanks for reminding me to put Happyness on our Netflix list.

Mary Z, you are welcome!

Will Smith's son is so cute!

I just finished reading Possession by A.S.Byatt and loved it. Has anyone seen the movie which came out some years ago. I looked at the reviews on Netflix and they were mixed (most viewers particularly did not like the actors playing the younger couple). Anyway, I put it on my Netflix queue, then took it off because I did not want my good memories of the book tarnished if the movie was not good.

Glencora Thanks for reminding me of Byatt's best book. I read it when it first came out and just loved it. Couldn't wait to see what they did with the movie but was somewhat disappointed. Right now I can hardly remember anything of the film but much of the novel is right there in my mind. Maybe the film didn't work for me because so much of the novel relied on the different voices, the poetry and the underlying paperchase - mind games if you like - and they don't always succeed in movies. I think you'll find there was a discussion on Possession here at SN - If you're interesting in reading it just scroll down to Archived Discussions.

I think Da Vinci Code didn't really succeed as a film for much the same reasons - but then IMO it didn't succeed as a novel either.

Have just had a feast of TV - First, the final of the Bronte Sisters two-part documentary. I thought it was extremely well done even though it glossed over some parts which I'd have like to have seen developed a little more and I didn't much like Patricia Routledge's narrative style. Old Patrick Bronte was played by the fellow who played Casuabon in Middlemarch - what is his name? He was brilliant. I might have to find the DVD

Following straight on was the Laurence Olivier's -Henry the Fifth I haven't seen it in years and years. It's getting to be a period piece these days but even so it still has the old magic and it's interesting to see some of the actors in their prime and others as youngsters. Max Adrian was superb as the Dauphin - others Robert Newton, Leo Genn, Felix Aylmer - cast of stars. Easy to see parts of the Olivier performance and direction which influenced Branagh in his version. Also interesting for what Olivier chose to leave out but then he was making it as propaganda for the war effort so anything which underlined the futility of war was cut. Great Film though.

Watched the mini-series of Balzac's Cousin Bette last night. The 1971 BBC version with a young Helen Mirren in the cast. It was really enjoyable - the actress playing Bette was so deliciously evil. It is a 2 disc (approx. 4 hours) mini-series available from Netflix. I was wondering how many of those who post on this site have Netflix - I just discovered it about six months ago and love it.

Several of us have NetFlix. It is really fine, getting to see mew movies and old faithfuls. I've been watching The Sandbaggers DVD of the first season. Since I have trouble with my DVD player I've been watching them on my monitor. It is very satisfying to be so intimately involved with the films.

I would love to read Possession. Then, I would like to see the movie. I have the book. I just have never read it yet.

Hats Possession - I'd like to read it again, so much so that I get it out now and again and put in on my immediate pile - somehow eventually it goes back on the shelves unread and neglected. Why are there only 24 hours each day?

Gumtree, I feel the same way. Each day seems shorter and shorter. My thought is I'm moving too slowly. There is just not enough time in a day. You have inspired me to pull out Possession and put it on top of my reading pile. If you want to reread it, I need to get busy reading it for the first time.

Have any of you seen All the King's Men?" The movie is really good starring Sean Penn. I read the book a long time ago. This is one I would like to reread. I feel the plot went over my head. It's really a good book by Robert Penn Warren. There is far more in the book than in the movie.

I loved the DaVinci Code as a novel. Perhaps it was because we discussed it here in SeniorNet Books. Everybody had such insightful comments, I garnered more knowledge and enjoyment than I had expected. I just saw the movie (Netflix) last week and I did not enjoy it one-half as much as I enjoyed reading and discussing it.

Hats, I just r/c an email from Netflix telling me that All the King's Men is on its way.

Hats: The 1949 version of All the King's Men, starring Broderick Crawford, is much more everything according to reviews I've read. Check it out, it is really powerful.

Mrs. Sherlock, I didn't know about that one. I will put it on my Netflix list.

ALF Sure the Da Vinci book was fine but not as good as it was hyped up to be. I plan to look at the discussion one day as I know I will learn heaps from the posters.

Gumtree, I plan to look at the discussion too. I liked the movie. I know the book is always better than the movie.

You're right, Gumtree. My daughter absolutely refused to read the book or see the movie just because of all the hype it received.

I also thought the Da Vinci book was overrated. However, I read it when it first came out without paying any attention to the hype.
Should I bother to rent the movie?

Hats - I saw All the Kings Men, and liked it very much! I thought Sean Penn was wonderful, as were all the others. I thought maybe he would be nominated for Best Actor Academy Award, but obviously he wasn't. I know the movie was a box office flop, but I don't know why? I guess because it was a fictionalized story about the life of Huey Long, and most people don't know who he was. I know the book was fiction, but it was based on Long's life and contained true facts.

Marilyne, I can't understand why it was a flop either. I knew the movie was based on Huey Long's life. I know nothing about Huey Long. Still, I thought the movie was terrific. I think it's a good movie to watch as we head in to the Election of 2008. Robert Penn Warren's book is a classic. His book, his heroes, Willie Starks and Jack Burden have a story that fits our political world today. As usual, the book is more meaty, filled with details not shown in the movie.

I wish we could read the book here at Seniornet. The book is full of symbols and nuggets you have to dig to obtain. I admit not understanding all of the book on a first reading. I really want to reread it. Then, see that earlier movie mentioned by Mrs. Sherlock.

gumtree

hello, I live abroad and therefore cannot follow on tv what you see, and all the commentaries are great, I want to read everything! You talked about a bronte sisters documentary, can you give me some more information? I started watching a film about their life once with Isabelle Hupert and Isabelle Adjani, but it was not that good really

thank you all for all the ideas I am going to start reading John Grisham again eirini

eirini I live abroad too - Australia - so our programmes are never in synch with the states - either ahead or behind. Sorry I don't know the details of the show I watched on Sunday but will try to find out for you. I think the documentary with Isabelle Hupert and Isabelle Adjani was a French production, all black dresses and large white aprons... Was that the one where they claimed that all the Brontes had been murdered?

Which is your favourite of all the novels? I think Wuthering Heights is the greatest - nothing like it before or since. Jane Eyre gains in stature all the time and Villette has its own charm. To my mind the most underrated and arguably the best is The Tenant of Wildfell Hall. What say you?

Hats: Great idea - "Kings Men" would be a good book to read here in SN before the next election. Even though the story takes place back in the 1930's and 40's, it does mirror lots of todays politics and political figures. I read the book way back in the 50's, so don't remember much about it, and I doubt if I understood it then? I also don't recall ever seeing the 1949 movie, but I have read that the new movie follows the book more closely than the old one did.

I can't figure out why no one went to see it, but I guess it is not the style of film that young people like to watch. But that doesn't explain why the critics disliked it? I know that there were lots of complaints about Sean Penn waving his arms around too much when he talked or gave speeches. But supposedly that physical trait of Willie Stark was written in the book, and was also a known characteristic of Huey Long. I also remember reading complaints about the fact that three of the main actors were British, and many Southerners felt that the casting should have been American actors.

King's Men won the Pulitzer and the 1949 movie won best actor, best supporting actress,(nominated for best director) and best movie. Netflix has it. Should make for a great discussion; we could tie in the two movies, too.

Now, we need Ginny a higher power to make a final decision.

I read The Tenant of Wildfell Hall recently after someone (you?) mentioned it here or in Book Nook. I enjoyed it, but was able to put it down and come back later, just reading small bits at a time. I still think Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights are better reads--at least I have a hard time putting them down. I am not familiar with Villette, but will check with my library and try to read it soon. Sue

Eirini The film I mentioned was 'In Search of the Brontes' it's in two parts Narrated by Patricia Routledge Producer Samira Osman on DVD a BBC/Opus Arte production. Don't have the catalogue number. There are a great many films available about the Brontes.

Sue It many have been Eirini who mentioned Wildfell Hall some time back. I guess I was overstating the case saying it was the best but it certainly is the most under-rated and under-valued of all the B. books. I admit it has flaws but it does deserve a better press. I am impressed by its relevance today.

hello again I was away for some days the tenant of wildfell hall is really a great book, and the BBC production was quite good, representing very well the need of that woman to be independent free of gossip and judgment although through the entire book we feel the urgent need to do the right thing which is SO important in all the bronte books but really I would say there are few books as great as Jane Eyre It is a book I could not stop reading as you say

Wuthering Heights, I read too long ago, but I have read an essay by Georges Bataille about Emily Bronte and her story compared to the Wuthering Heights and it is really very interesting to read, I hope an English translation exists)

To speak of the film adaptations, the film I watched about the bronte sisters was indeed a French production and I didn't even watch it till the end, I will check the info you gave me gumtree there was one good adaptation of the wuthering heights with Juliette Binoche and one of Jane Eyre with Charlotte Gainsbourg and William Hurt (an actor I admire a lot) I haven't seen any other adaptations yet, but to tell you the truth I think Wuthering Heights is better pictured in our mind than on the screen,

Villette is a very good book but it ends a bit awkwardly

I've brought this discussion to the attention of our Books DL's to see if anybody would like to lead one of the books you've mentioned in it so stay tuned, for the future, you never know what will strike us all from one day to the next; thank you for your wonderful discussion here.

I swore I would not, I said I would not, but I got back in the mail Brideshead from Pedln and I said I would not look at it again and I just put the first part on, thought gee this is dated and was hooked. HOOKED. I am now watching all 13 is it hours again, listening to the overvoice commentaries, sigh sigh. The FILM is a masterpiece, I haven't read the book as I am saving that should the House group vote it in, but film wise it's a glory. Filmmaking is an art too, and they constantly talk about how they all read the book, they all had copies OF the book, how faithful it is TO the book and that first editions of the book were given as gifts to the company for years afterwards.

Waugh himself appears a bit of a reprobate, filmed interviews with him and a bio in this set of films, not the greatest character in person and that seems true of a lot of our authors, how to reconcile a work of artistic genius with a rotten origin? What can you say? We can take this up as well in our discussions to come!

I can't put it down. ahahaha

Ginny: How do you watch, one hour at a time? I started that way with Sandbaggers, there are two episodes on each DVD, but that didn't last. Now I gobble up the whole DVD when it arrives and send it backi the next day.

Maybe we should think about having a book and its movie/TV discussion. There are many fine movies made from books.

Oh good idea, Mrs. Sherlock, and maybe two of the previously discussed contenders may well be that.

Brideshead would fit well in this category, too.

How do I do it? I don't. aaahha I sit steadfastly with my one video, episode 1 of Brideshead and then that music starts and the thing gets going and I'll just watch a little of 2 just a little more, well I'll finish 2 and go on to 3 and before I know it I've sat up half the night, watched them all again and they are something like 13 hours of movie and a lot of special interviews and features and THEN you can't get that music out of your head, it just follows you around like a hot soak in the tub.

And since we've mentioned Rosemary and Thyme here in connection with the author Peter Lovesey I think that's the spelling, I'll just say the series was abruptly cancelled and I really think the further it went the better it got, it's priceless, do watch the 2 and 3rd season if you can, it's wonderful.

Hello have some of you watched the film "Girl with a pearl earing" I just watched it, (colin Firth and Scarlet Johanson) it is about the painter Vermeer and his model Grete it was a very beautiful film, moving by its simplicity and the wonderful photography I haven't read the book although I heard a lot of good things about the author, have some of you read it? Eirini

Yes and I am pretty sure they discussed it here, Eirini, you might enjoy the comparison between the book and the movie. If you do decide to read it, let us know what you thought of the two approaches!! I have not read the book but I do love Vermeer. I saw his milkmaid I think it is, in Amsterdam and the thing just blew me away, it seemed to glow from across the room, never saw anything like it. I had forgotten that till you mentioned it, maybe I'll look for that book also!

eirini and Ginny - I'm a great Vermeer fan, too. I've both read the book and seen the movie - enjoyed both. I was very impressed with the visual quality of the movie, how they really worked at reproducing the feel of a Vermeer painting with lighting, etc.

I read the book before going to Brussels, Paris, and Amsterdam and hoped to see the painting while in Amsterdam, but it was in a museum in The Haag. I thought the book was wonderful, very engaging. The movie was beautiful--I didn't see it until after reading the book and the trip. I'm a big fan of Colin Firth, but Johannsen was perfect for Grete and the film seemed to follow the theme/plot closely. No disappointment in the film as I've had with other books I've read first. Sue

I have seen the movie and read the book, The Girl in a Pearl Earring. Finally, I am looking at Breakfast at Tiffany's. All of these years hearing about it and never seeing it. I haven't read the book either. I do intend to read the book soon. It's a small book by Truman Capote. I love the lady's name Holly Golightly. Her name isn't without significance.

I would love to peek in Tiffany's windows. Have any of you peeked in the windows, even better have you gone inside of Tiffany's?

Breakfast At Tiffany's has always been my favorite book. Of course I am also a staunch Capote fan. I read the book sometime in the early 60s and was hooked. The movie with Audrey Hepburn was superb.

Alf, I just finished the movie, Breakfast at Tiffany's. Wonderful! Now, I want to read the book. I got tired of everyone talking about the movie. Finally, I had to give in and get it. I'm glad. It's great.

Hats, thank you for inquiring about me. My arthritis is killing me. I now have it in my back lumbar muscle. Believe me, it takes the fun out of everything. I still plan on doing The Chamber but it won't be until after I receive physical therapy.

Bill H

Oh, I know you are in a heap of pain. I am hoping for your improvement through physical therapy. Take it easy.

Hats- er I mean Holly. Wasn't that so much fun watching the Breakfast At Tiffany's movie? Of course I fell in love to Moon River so that has always held a special place in my heart.

Oh Bill - I am so sorry that your arthritis is acting up. Damn! I hate it when quality of life is abruptly altered due to pain. Feel better real soon.

Bill: You probably have tried this but glucosamine has been a big help to my arthritis. You just take care of getting better. We'll be here when you can get to us.

hello everyone

breakfast at tiffany's IS one of the best films ever and Moon River is such a wonderful song I have been recording it for friends for 2-3 years now, every christmas Wonderful wonderful book

lots of courage to Bill H and all those who are not well keep reading last week I was at the hospital and the lady next to me was in quite a bad state and I gave her my book, she was so happy!

Thanks to all of you for the get well wishes.

MrsSherlock, no, I haven't tried glucosamine but I think I will.

Bill H

Bill: You will not notice any inprovement right away. I think it takes a week or so. After a while I get to feeling so much better I forget to take it (I take a liquid form) and then the pain starts in again.

Oh I hope you feel better, Bill! Arthritis is no fun!!!!

I came in to say I have just watched the entire Brideshead Revisited yet again, once you watch a little of it you just get hooked into all the rest: there's only a small deviation from the book right at the end. What a sumptuous film that was, it's almost perfect, just glorious.

They shot the scenes on deck ON the Queen Elizabeth II during a real storm at sea, but the interior shots on a sound stage, and they look real too, very impressive.

I also listened to the commentary again too. hahaha May as well get my money's worth. What IS it about some movies and some books you can revisit them again and again and always see something new?

Oh boy! Today I watched the first CD of Queen Elizabeth the Ist. It was a Homebox presentation and very impressive. Helen Miren is better than she was as Elizabeth which she recently portrayed at the cinema. What a life, yikes. I can't wait until the 2nd CD is sent. Netflix, hurry up.

When I was in New York last week, I took my daughters to see DreamGirls. I thought it was OK and Jennifer Hudson has a wonderful voice, but an Oscar-- nope! I don't know how they vote and choose some of these stars. I also just watched Running With Scissors. Holy smokes, was that weird and a true story, as well. Did any one see that movie? Annette Benning was brilliant in that role.

No but I read that book (Running with scissors) and it was an absolute horror I can't imagine a movie of it!

I just finished the book ("Running with Scissors") too. It adds a totally new dimension to "dysfunctional"!!

I was looking up Helen Mirren movies on NetFlix and found that she was in The Long Good Friday, starring the fantastic actor Bob Hoskins.

BUT- it was a true story. I could not believe it. You're right Bev, it gives the name dysfunctional an added puch, doesn't it?

The Long Good Friday oh thank you, thank you. I just love her. She's a wonderful actress and I am just so impressed with her portrayl of Eliz. I.

I saw the guy who wrote it interviewed recently and he looked amazingly "normal."

The Long Good Friday is quite violent, about a London crime boss (Hoskins) who has suffered some setback, can't remember what. I don't remember Mirren in it; I was so surprised to see her name.

hello

I remember watching a very good film with Helen Mirren, Bob Hoskins and Michael Caine where she was the wife of Michael Caine who was a butcher. I can't really remember the title but it was nice and touching

A few years ago, Helen Mirren also appeared in a PBS series presentation. I'm not sure but I believe she played Scotland Yard Det. Supt. Jane Tennison in The Last Witness (2003) (TV)

Bill H

Bill: There were seven seasons of Prime Suspect, the story of Jane Tennison's battles with her own frailty, her superiors at Scotland Yard, and murderers. NetFlix has them on DVD. What a woman Jane was! Warts and all.

Bill H and Mrs Sherlock; I have used glucosamine, and also ginko biloba, and have had a lot of success with them. The glocosamine helps with arthritis, and the ginko biloba makes me feel energized and able to be a lot more "together" in the morning. I'd stopped taking them, but now am back at it and glad to recall how helpful the combination had been, to me, at least. isak

isak: Thanks for the info about gingko biloba. I really need that kick in the fanny in the mornings. BTW, I tried that new Fiber-sure in my coffee this morning and couldn't taste it plus it dissolved readily, just a little stir.

Yes I take both of those too and I have started to take Move Free which I find very useful indeed, and it seems to have made a difference.

I am watching again for the third time Brideshead Revisited and am very excited to tell you all that the Houseboat Reading group which reads books with "House" in the title, has voted Brideshead Revisited as its May 1 read! Brideshead is a fabulous book as well as a wonderful movie and we will probably add a section at the end of the discussion where we compare the movie and the book. I hope that you will join us.

I really liked this book very much! I havn't seen the movie yet but Kate Winslett was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress. She didn't get it, but she's a great actress and I'm sure she did a good job with the part of the main female character. It was a fascinating story, and definitely a book that was hard to put down. Too bad the title, "Little Children" is so misleading. But after you read the book, you understand that the title is a metaphor. The movie was not a hit - probably because it was only in limited release in art theaters. I'm really anxious for the DVD to come out, which should be soon!

Was it here we were talking about Anatomy of a Murder? The movie is being shown this afternoon at 5:15 EDT on Turner Classic Movies.

From today's NYT. . . .

" ASK a healthy sampling of American women under 100 about Nancy Drew and chances are they will remember three things: the girl detective’s titian hair, her chums Bess and George and her blue roadster."

Being released June 15. Shades of Streetemyer!

But another, blurb seen on CBS Charles Osgood show this am -- "Away from Her," starring Julie Christie -- about a woman with Alzheimers. Based on a short story by Alice Munro. Does anyone know which Alice Munro collection that might be in?

I remember that she was always "leaping into her blue roaster", her boy friend was Ned, her father was a lawyer, and she had no mother. But I thought that her hair was blond, not "titian"? I still have a couple of books with pictures on the colored jackets, that show her with blond hair? (Important details here!)

I'm with you, Marilyne - I remembered Nancy as having blonde hair.

Away from Her...."Sarah Polley adapted the short story "The Bear Came Over the Mountain" specifically for Julie Christie" according to IMDb.

Thanks Ginny Ann. Here's a link to the ENTIRE story (by Alice Munro) from New Yorker archives. I didn't know there was such a thing. There's also a video clip from "Away from Her." The Bear Came Over the Mountain

THE PAINTED VEIL comes out on DVD today, with Naomi Watts and Edward Norton in this adaptation of W. Somerset Maugham’s novel of infidelity and epidemic illness, set in 1920s China. John Curran directs. I've seen some of the ads TV. Didn't realize is was from Somerset Maugham.

Pedln, I am looking forward to seeing The Painted Veil by Maugham. I have just seen The Pursuit of Happyness. It is wonderful, wonderful. I loved it.

Pedlin: I agree w/you re: these two books being "murdered" when they were made into movies (I don't remember Altars as a movie, though) I loved the Ya-Ya book especially since I live in Louisiana, the scene of the books. JOY

Ginny: I was taking Move Free, but found that it did not help. I want to add that my doc said if I was going to try Glucosamine/Chon, to ONLY BUY MOVE FREE. Joy

Joy, as I remember, they brought in some of the material from Alters and included it with the Ya-Yas. Now there is a new book out in this series?

Pedln: Yes, this is her newest book, which carries on w/the characters, but not "up to" her other two (IMO). It is copyright 2005 and was written after she was stricken w/a debilitating illness, Lyme disease.(bacteria transmitted by ticks).

See-----www.ya-ya.com JOY

Every Tuesday we can rent DVDs or Videos for $1 and keep them for one week. There is a limit of around 10 per family I think. They call it $1 Tuesday. The video store is 5 mins drive from my home. On weekends you can rent 5 for $10. Thats pretty cheap movie viewing and there are so many to choose from also. I find usually I would only watch one or two DVDs a week and some weeks none at all. Winter would probably be the time I would watch two a week.

I did not realise this discussion existed! I must be going blind!

Tonight the Grands and I are watching a childrens novel made into a movie. Its called "Toms Midnight Garden" by Philippa Pearce. I am looking forward to the childrens reaction. Brooke and Grace are getting more sophisticated now in their viewing.

Carolyn

Pedln, thank you. I really loved the DVD, The Painted Veil. I had never heard of the book by Somerset Maugham.

I am looking forward to reading and seeing "A Mighty Heart" about the wife of Daniel Pearl's experience.

I have just gotten Mr. and Mrs. Bridge with Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman. Have any of you read the book, seen the movie?

I have The Legend of Baggar Vance in my queue. I am just realizing it's a book. I am really enjoying Will Smith ever since seeing The Pursuit of Happyness. Have any of you read the book?

Carolyn had an idea some time back of doing a discussion of a movie which had come from a book. I talked to Bill who is not able to take it on at this time but who thinks it's a great idea, as do I, and so we'll give it a liminted try in August.

The idea is to vote on a movie which we'll then all get from a rental, or the library or Netflix, etc., and then discuss it for one week: the last week of August. The discussion will not take place here but in its own area and the only criteria will be that it is the film version of a book. Those who have read the book or would like to can also talk about that aspect.

It's a clever innovation and one I am excited to try for 2007, thank you Carolyn, and stay tuned, we'll begin nominating in August.

Ginny and Carolyn, that sounds exciting!

I am enjoying books that have become movies so much. I have just put Out of Africa on my queue and also, Antowne Fisher, Finding Fish. I have seen Antowne Fisher, I think. I loved Mr. and Mrs. Bridge too. There are so many we could talk about.

Ginny, I remember you doing "Bee Season." I missed that discussion. I still intend to read the book.

It will be difficult to pick only one.

Mrs. Sherlock, I agree.

So true! But if it catches on and IF is the big word we might do a series, it seems innocuous enough? And enjoyable too. Let's see how it goes, I'm quite excited about it because I love new things.

Hopefully nobody will choose Bee Season. Hhahaa, but maybe the movie would be better than the book?

Now Out of Africa, THERE'S a nomination, it WILL be hard to choose just one!

Bee Season? Hopefully not. The movie is not any better.

Sounds good to me too. I love to read a book and then watch the movie when it comes out. Sometimes a disappointment, but other times the film is actually better! I agree with everyone so far - please NOT "Bee Season"! How did that book ever make the Best Seller list, and WHY was it made into movie? (I heard the movie was a box office flop?)

Oh good Marilyne, I was going to write you anyway, and I agree Pedln and Marilyne, Bee Season is the pits, and I am so glad to see others say so, since I hated it. hahahaa

But you know what? Another time I might not have.

Everybody come on over to our discussion of Brideshead Revisited the Movie. It's got to be one of the most perfect movies ever made, or maybe you don't think so? We just finished discussing the book, but you need not have read the book to participate, come on down and enliven our discussion!

Ginny: Don't be so bashful, tell us what you really think about BR.

love it love it loved it, why pretend otherwise? That's what we're about, opinions, and I've got lots of them, but those who did NOT like it, come on down and let's discuss. Love it!

I'd never heard of Zoe Heller or her book What Was She Thinking -- subtitled "Notes on a Scandal." Which I saw last night --Judi Dench in a very different role from those I've seen recently. The focus is. on two teachers, Dench and Cate Blanchett. My emotions ran from "she's pathetic, she's evil, poor soul." Which one? I don't want to give anything away. I think both were nominated for awards for this. Highly recommended. I'll give it four netflix stars.

Now I want to read the book, just to see how closely or not the movie follows it, if it evokes the same feelings or reactions.

Pedln, thank you for another recommendation. I think Judi Dench is a wonderful actress.

Hi all,

Just thought I'd drop in and see what was going on. I am not a big movie goer but I do have a few comments on two books I have read and seen as movies.

The one I am now reading is "Under the Tuscan Sun". It has very little resemblence to the movie. A little disappointing in some ways but the book has merits of its own, including recipes.

Long ago, when I was a teenager. I saw "Lawrence of Arabia". One day, in the town library, I discovered an old volume (I believe the pub. date was 1926) of "Seven Pillars of Wisdom" upon which the movie was based. Dad could not believe I would actually get through it. I did - I couldn't put it down. Peter O'Toole did an admirable job of capturing Lawrence's character. He really should have gotten an Oscar for it. The movie was and still is one of the few that I can say stuck very closely to the book.

A third book, still waiting to be read, is "All's Quiet on the Western Front". I think I have the title right. Anyhow, I happened to run across the volume in a used book store shortly after my Dad passed away. I read the first line before buying and was hooked. This was his favorite silent movie and one he let me stay up late as a child to watch with him.

I have tons of reading lined up for the summer. About half of my new purchases are books I saw recommended/discussed here on SeniorNet.

RE: Notes on a Scandal. Judi Dench looks positively wicked in the movie trailers. Will have to check out the movie soon.

Margie

Frybabe welcome! I looked at a preview of Notes of a Scandal. I didn't think Judi Dench could play a part like that. I haven't seen the movie yet.

Frybabe: You sure are right about Peter O'Toole deserving an Oscar for his portrayal of Lawrence of Arabia. That was a brilliant film and rates up there with the best. It was one of David Lean's productions. I have 'The Seven Pillars of Wisdom' in a modern edition, 1986, large format and easy to read, It's interesting that Lawrence wrote Seven Pillars intending it for a small private circulation of just a few hundred whereas it has become something of a classic.

Also have a copy of 'Lawrence and the Arabs' by Robert Graves which is a 1927 edition bought secondhand. Inside the front cover are a couple of newspaper cuttings dealing with Lawrence and dated 1928 and 1930. One shows Lawrence in his persona of Pte Shaw in uniform and on his motorbike. He was a man who captured the imagination of his generation. I guess he would have been difficult to live with...

Years and years ago I picked up a PB edited by Hemingway titled Men at War. It was an anthology of writings on war. Lawrence's raid on a train was included, from 7 Pillars, and it was riveting. Over time I read all the items. H's taste was impeccable; every story was memorable.

There is also a book called "Revolt in the Desert" by T.E. Lawrence, that I had for years, but can't seem to locate. (I hope I didn't loan it or give it away!) It belonged to my mother, so must have been dated around the early 1930's? I had always thought that the movie was based on "Revolt", but I guess it wasn't? I've never read "Seven Pillars", but plan to get it at the library this week ... the LARGE print edition sounds great! (The problem is, once you start reading the large print books, it's hard to go back to the regular.)

Marilyne: Revolt in the Desert was an abridged version of the Seven Pillars. Lawrence produced this cut down version in order to cover debts arising from the publication of Seven Pillars. I have paperback copy of the Revolt, an edition from the 1980s.He left out vast amounts of the text of Seven Pillars - I don't know whether it reads any better or is just shorter.

I know this has been discussed ad nauseum, but we're always a little slow getting around to things. We watched The DaVinci Code tonight. We had liked the book when we first read it years ago, and we liked the movie. It's a good yarn, and we enjoyed the movie.

Mary Z, glad I'm not the only one who likes DaVinci Code. I loved the book and could hardly wait till the movie came out. I did go see that in the theatre, and as soon as it moved to DVD, I bought a copy. The "extras" on the DVD were worth the price of the movie. Loved every minute of that, too. I think they did a wonderful job of staying close enough to the book that the story was recognizable, and that's not always the case with "Books Into Movies". In fact, usually NOT.

tome, I think people got all caught up in whether or not any of it was true. To us, it was just a good, suspenseful yarn, told by a good storyteller. John usually complains when a movie is over 2 hours long, but not this one. Glad you liked it, too.

I got that from Netflix, and was completely absorbed. Not a pleasant story, but Judi Dench defies description. A remarkable actress.

We've just watched Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont. What a delightful movie that is. And, according to the credits, it was based on a book by the same name.

MaryZ, I loved Mrs. Palfrey at the Claremont. It's a winner!

I like Mrs Palfrey at the Claremont also. I bought the DVD.

Joan Grimes

Sounds interesting, what's it about?

Ginny, this is the synopsis given on Netflix....

Joan Plowright takes the title role in this heartwarming drama, based on the best-selling novel by the same name. After traveling to London to be closer to her 26-year-old grandson (Lorcan O'Toole), the recently widowed Mrs. Palfrey moves into a local hotel while she waits -- and waits -- for him to return her calls. But when fate introduces her to a kindly young writer (Rupert Friend), she finds the family she's always wanted.

They have made a movie of "Evening" by Susan Minot. It has a host of wonderful actresses: Toni Collette, Vanessa Redgrave, Natasha Richardson, Meryl Streep, Glenn Close. After watching an interview with the author on the "Borders Book Club" website, rushed right out and bought a copy of the book. The movie just starts today, and I plan to see it this weekend, if possible. The book was published in 1998.

That looks really good, Mary and I LOVE Joan Plowright, I had never heard of it. When I get back I'll send for it, thank you.

Tomereader, that's quite a cast, let us know what you think of it, (how could it be bad?) I have not read the book.

Last night I sat for hours, I bet it was 11:30 when I finally gave up, watching something called The Prize Winner of Despair, Ohio or something, have you all seen it? They said it was based on the book by somebody named Ryan as a last name if I caught that on the info thing. It's got Woody Harrelson as the father of 8 or so and he's got a drinking problem and so squanders their money and his wife enters contests to get by, (I think it MAY be a true story but am not sure), it's quite dramatic. I could not see the end but I think I'll get it from Netflix, takes a strange position on that sort of life. STrange movie, all around. Woody Harrelson has quite a range playing this truly strange character. The actress who played his wife was fabulous.

Ginny, I watched The Prize Winner.... a couple of weeks ago. Didn't that woman keep her family going? She was the strong one of the family. I loved, loved the movie. I haven't read the book. Did you see the part where she wins the contest for the groceries. She raced around that store. Then, she told her friends to get the most exotic foods they could get their hands on. Before this, she won the freezer.

hats and Ginny - I LOVED the book The Prizewinner of Defiance Ohio. It is a true story, written by the daughter of the prizewinner. My daughter-in-law gave me the book for my birthday, and I in turn, gave her the DVD for her birthday! I haven't seen the movie yet, but I'm looking forward to it. Julianne Moore is my favorite of the newer actresses. I like every movie she has been in.

Wow, I had no idea.

Hats, yes she certainly was a tower of strength, I am not sure I could have done the same. How many children WERE there?

Yes she was fantastic, I did not see her in the store, I came in with the milk bottles crashing all over and could not keep my eyes open after the winning of the big one.

Defiance, I knew it was something with a D, and you have read the book, too, Marilyne! I wonder if we might want to consider IT for our first Books Into Movies movie discussion (is there, do you think stuff to discuss? I left when the daughter was saying he will never change and the mother agreed).

She had a lot of dignity. I had no idea that people did contests for a living but I liked the club. Well! We might want to nomianate it then. I need to see it again.

Yes, it was a wonderful book. True story. I have not yet seen the movie. They should have renamed the town "Perserverance" Ohio after her. She was a wonderfully dedicated mom (and wife) even though her hubby was such a dork. It is very uplifting to read something like that. I remember contests, although I was not old enough at the time to enter any!

I will always remember the milk bottle scene. I felt so sorry for her at that point. Her oldest daughter loved her so deeply. This daughter was so aware of how the father was destroying her mother's life. What she could not understand was that her mother really loved him. I think he loved her too.

He was an alcoholic. Something about him seemed childlike and lost. I felt sorry for him too. He didn't seem able to fit in with his family. He was always on the outside looking in. I do think he felt badly about being unable to support his wife and so many children. There were a lot of children. I can't remember the exact number.

I remember contests too, funny jingles about Tide or some other product.

hats,

There were 10 children.

Jeanlock, thanks! I couldn't remember the exact number. In my head I just saw a bunch of kids.

Good News from today's NY Times (in the Arts, Briefly section):

No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency by Alexander McCall Smith, is to be adapted by the award-winning director Anthony Minghella (The English Patient) ... with the American R&B singer Jill Scott to play the detective. The film is being shot in Botswana with the backing of (that) government, and ... is designed as a television movie. No release date was mentioned.

I thought English Patient was one of the greatest books-into-movies I've ever seen, so I'm hopeful that this new movie will be good, too. Do post here if you ever see it announced to be on TV.

This November 1st, if I get a quorum, I plan on leading a discussion of "The Picture of Dorian Gray"–Oscar Wilde. It will be moved out to "Proposed" September 1st for readers to express their desire to join the discussion. AFTER the novel is discussed, I would like to compare it to the movie of the same name.

And that is the reason I bring it to your attention at this time. You see, TCM ( Turner Classic Movies) will air the movie September 8th at 11:30 P.M. and October 9th at 2:30 A.M. If you are interested, this will give you an opportunity to record the movie. However, the times I listed are for my time zone (Eastern Standard Time) yours may differ. Here is a link to the TMC site.

http://www.tcmdb.com/title/title.jsp?stid=2821

Please check your TV schedule for the airing of the movie in your time zone.

By the way, this novel is one of Barnes and Noble's classics and carries the great introduction associated with their classics along with a mini biography of Oscar Wilde. I purchased my copy at the local Barnes and Noble book store for $4. 95. It can also be purchased on line at the B&N site for the same price.

Bill H