Author Topic: Movies & Books Into Movies (Read 591806 times)

maryz · « **Reply #1120 on:** December 01, 2010, 02:34:55 PM »

So many movies – how do you choose what to watch?
Reviews? Recommendations? Actors? Availability?
Do you choose a movie the same way you choose a book?

And where do you like to watch most of your movies?
Do you stream movies from Netflix and other places?
Where’s the strangest place you’ve ever watched a film?

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Join us in an ongoing discussion of your favorite movies right now.
Pull up a chair, take off your shoes, pour yourself a cup of coffee or hot chocolate, and join in!

Your Discussion Leader: pedln

Thanks for the heads-up about Men Who Stare at Goats. I think it's in my queue - I'll remove it.

Babi · « **Reply #1121 on:** December 02, 2010, 08:39:30 AM »

Too late, TOMEREADER. I've already watched that one.

JimNT · « **Reply #1122 on:** December 02, 2010, 09:56:07 AM »

My wife and I saw Stolen last eve and found it very engrossing. We thought that the direction of the paraell events could have been more clearly presented but, nevertheless, the movie was very good. It's available on Netflix. Incidentally, for those of you who prefer a "feel good" movie, this one addresses a disturbing subject and is not uplifting.

pedln · « **Reply #1123 on:** December 04, 2010, 11:48:03 PM »

Guess I'll pass on Goats, but Stolen is now on my Netflix queue. Thanks for the tips.

The new issue of Time Magazine came today with the Arts section talking about several films recently or soon-to-be released films. Have any of you seen Black Swan with Natalie Portman playing the part of a ballerina, or Another Year, starring Jim Broadbest and Ruth Sheen as a happy couple with a not so happy bunch of relatives.

I've just finished watching about half of a streamed Angels and Demons (complete with English subtitles --SDH) on my computer. I was tempted to shut it down after the first 10 minutes -- too much frenzied hokey, but the scenery and shots of Rome are great, so I'll probably watch the rest of it, even though I don't give a hoot about who are the good guys or the bad guys. I happened to like the DaVinci Code, but if you didn't like it, you'll really hate this one.

Gumtree · « **Reply #1124 on:** December 05, 2010, 12:12:58 AM »

We watched Angels and Demons a couple of weeks ago - I thought it was so bad I didn't bother to mention it. Da Vinci Code was much better but still only just OK.

Last night we put on Zulu - have meant to watch it again for ages.Great film made in 1964 - I thought it moved slowly at first but it held our attention all the way - maybe because it was an actual event that was not too over dramatised and they forgot to lay on lashings of blood and gore. A couple of notable actors Stanley Baker & Jack Hawkins did a great job. It was Michael Caine's first film and no wonder his career took off from then on - he was just brilliant in a couple of scenes. And Richard Burton's voice as narrator to start and end the film - and a good Welsh choir for a few minutes as well. Enjoyed it.

marjifay · « **Reply #1125 on:** December 05, 2010, 09:56:05 AM »

We left the theater after about one-half hour of Angels & Demons. Awful movie. And I had really liked the book.

Marj

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #1126 on:** December 05, 2010, 12:11:30 PM »

A friend and I saw "Black Swan" yesterday. It is movie where you'd best take your Xanax before you go. It will pin you to your seat, and leave you catching your breath. Portman gives a bravura performance, and if she doesn't win an Oscar for this role, then there is no justice. A Warning: It is definitely R rated, sex, language, and some violence. A lot of what happens, happens in her mind, but we are subjected to what she perceives. It is NOT for the faint of heart, or the prudish.

roshanarose · « **Reply #1127 on:** December 05, 2010, 09:24:53 PM »

"Black Swan" is definitely on my must-see list.

marcie · « **Reply #1128 on:** December 05, 2010, 11:25:11 PM »

Thanks, Tomereader1, for your review of Black Swan. I've been a fan of Natalie Portman. She chooses unusual roles.

Babi · « **Reply #1129 on:** December 06, 2010, 08:28:10 AM »

And "Black Swan" is definitely on my 'forget-about-it' list!

pedln · « **Reply #1130 on:** December 06, 2010, 10:34:40 AM »

Thanks tomereader for the good news about Black Swan. It's in my queue for whenever it comes out.

A delightful Christmas film that I used to watch every year, and still have the tape (unfortunately from an era before captions) is Christmas Without Snow starring Michael Learned and that wonderful curmudgeon John Houseman. It's basically a story about a church in San Francisco that wants to perform Handel's Messiah for Christmas. Lots of wonderful music (though many reviewers complain about the quality of the DVDs Amazon has to offer) and much interaction among the various characters.

Amazon has a variety of DVDs for this show, and surprisingly, Netflix has it available for streaming, but does not have the DVD. So, if you're looking for a different kind of holiday feel-good film, this is it.

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #1131 on:** December 06, 2010, 11:07:31 AM »

Now, pedlin, let's don't jump to "good news" about that movie, be sure an re-read my comments/warnings. It is NOT for the faint-at-heart!

marcie · « **Reply #1132 on:** December 06, 2010, 06:17:25 PM »

Thanks to those of you who recommended 84 Charing Cross Road. I borrowed the DVD from my library and enjoyed the film very much. The Anne Bancroft character was funny and Anthony Hopkins was his usual charming self ("usual," that is, when he plays a charming fellow; not a serial killer).

maryz · « **Reply #1133 on:** December 06, 2010, 06:24:58 PM »

Marcie, you should definitely read the book, too.

marcie · « **Reply #1134 on:** December 06, 2010, 10:42:21 PM »

Thanks, maryz. I plan to do that too.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #1135 on:** December 07, 2010, 07:30:03 AM »

Marcie, I agree, the book is good. there is also a sequel I think, when Helene Hanff visited London after 84 Charing Cross Road had been published. One of the people she meets during that stay is Joyce Grenfell, whose books I have mentioned before. I do recommend Grenfell highly - her collections of letters and her diaries are great reading. Her mother came, i think, from your Deep South - ? Virginia (her maiden name was Langhorne), and Joyce's father's family were all Christian Scientists, as was she. Her aunt was Nancy Astor, the first woman to take her seat in the House of Commons - Nancy's husband, Viscount (Waldorf) Astor, owned Cliveden, and Joyce stayed on the estate for a while when first married. There is a biography of her which is good - forgotten who wrote it! - but I think the letters and diaries are best. One volume is called "Darling Ma - Letters to her Mother 1932-44", so it goes through most of the war (during which she carried on doing shows in London, plus "war work", and also travelled widely with her accompanist Viola Tunnard, entertaining troops stationed abroad.

we also have a CD of Joyce performing her own sketches, which is brilliant - very funny but also very moving in parts.

Rosemary

maryz · « **Reply #1136 on:** December 07, 2010, 10:15:20 AM »

You're right, Rosemary - I've just read another of Helene Hanff's books about that time called Q's Legacy. It's another lovely story about her experiences and interactions with the London bookstore.

marcie · « **Reply #1137 on:** December 07, 2010, 10:44:23 AM »

Many thanks, Rosemary and Mary, for those books to add to my reading list. They sound like ones that I will enjoy.

I just found some very funny videos of Joyce Grenfell at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=clOdyzP9fcw

JoanK · « **Reply #1138 on:** December 07, 2010, 03:52:16 PM »

Oh, they're histerical!! I like the "Eng Lit" ones.

marcie · « **Reply #1139 on:** December 07, 2010, 09:29:36 PM »

Yes, I love all of them!

Babi · « **Reply #1140 on:** December 08, 2010, 08:15:54 AM »

I've noted down Joyce Grenfell's name. I do hope I find some of her books; she sounds delightful.

JimNT · « **Reply #1141 on:** December 09, 2010, 10:21:50 AM »

I saw The Next Three Days yesterday and found it entertaining. It's a Russel Crowe movie although Liam Neesom, et al, find their way into the credits. I wouldn't think this one will receive any special mention among the so called critics but it isn't a waste of time. I don't recall any blatant sex, violence or language scenes. The latter moments are tense and maybe a bit overdone but I left feeling I got my money's worth.

pedln · « **Reply #1142 on:** December 10, 2010, 02:15:52 PM »

The Next Three Days is on my queue, Jim.

I thought I kept up with films pretty well, but was really surprised yesterday to read - somewhere -- about a film that will undoubtedly, the review said, get an Oscar nomination. The King's Speech, with Colin Firth. About King George VI. Did he really stutter? The review referred to his wife as Elizabeth. I thought the Queen Mum was Mary. Was she Elizabeth, also?

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #1143 on:** December 10, 2010, 04:35:03 PM »

Pedln. the Queen Mother was Elizabeth, but being only a queen consort she doesn't count as a number, hence the current queen is Elizabeth II. Queen Mary was alive when my mother was a child, so I think she must have been the mother of the current queen's father - whenever you see a picture of her she is very tall, erect and sombre, always dressed in black - mourning I suppose.

Rosemary

marcie · « **Reply #1144 on:** December 10, 2010, 06:16:33 PM »

THanks for mentioning the film, pedln. I had not heard of it. I love Colin Firth.

There is some info about The King's Speech in a Wiki article at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_King%27s_Speech_%28film%29

The film applies the self-discovery trope as evinced by the play on words of the title, the idiom "The King's English", as a Throne Speech, and as the speech of the protagonist who would have to deliver one.

After the death of his father King George V and the scandalous abdication of his older brother King Edward VIII, Bertie (Colin Firth) who has suffered from a debilitating speech impediment all his life, is suddenly crowned King George VI of England. With his country on the brink of war and in desperate need of a leader, his wife, Elizabeth, the future Queen Mother, arranges for her husband to see an eccentric speech therapist, Lionel Logue. After a rough start, the two delve into an unorthodox course of treatment and eventually form an unbreakable bond. With the support of Logue, his family, his government and Winston Churchill (Timothy Spall), the King will overcome his stammer and deliver a radio-address that inspires his people and unites them in battle.[3]

Gumtree · « **Reply #1145 on:** December 10, 2010, 11:55:00 PM »

The King's Speech - looks interesting. It will open here shortly - in fact only yesterday I saw something about 'advance screenings' . Aussie Geoffrey Rush plays the speech therapist and I think another Aussie Guy Pearce plays Edward VIII who abdicated. Can't quite see Colin firth as King George VI though... The King really did have a speech impediment which at one time was quite severe.

His mother, Queen Mary was born Princess Mary of Teck - she lived at least until after Queen Elizabeth's (her granddaughter) coronation in 1952 or thereabouts. I remember seeing photographs of her with the rest of the Royals on the balcony of Buck Palace after the ceremony. She was just as Rosemary describes - tall and very erect, but I don't recall her wearing black. My memory of her has her always dressed in very elegant cream or ivory embroidered gowns - but she was often unsmiling. My mother admired her very much - I think the present Queen either takes after her naturally or has tried to emulate her behaviour. Queen Mary was originally engaged to marry the heir to the throne, Prince Albert who died from influenza or pneumonia - after his death she married his brother who became King George V.

For a time after Queen Elizabeth II ascended the throne there were three women known as " Queen" - Queen Mary who was often referred to as the 'Dowager Queen' - then the former Queen Consort, Queen Elizabeth known as the "Queen Mother" and finally the present queen herself - Queen Elizabeth II.

roshanarose · « **Reply #1146 on:** December 11, 2010, 06:58:49 AM »

What I most recall about Queen Mary was the magnificent pearl chokers she wore. The chokers appeared to comprise of at least eight strands. Only a certain kind of woman could carry off wearing pearls, rather than the pearls wearing her.

Geoffrey Rush is a favourite of mine. He grew up and went to school in Brisbane, the city in which I now reside. To see him at his best imho please watch "Shine". A true story about a rather remarkable and most definitely unconventional Australian pianist. You won't regret the experience. Gum will help me here - was it Rachmaninov that his character played so brilliantly?

Gumtree · « **Reply #1147 on:** December 11, 2010, 11:29:29 AM »

Roshanarose~ Yep David Helfgott was a mean hand on the piano In the movie ShineThey focussed on the Rachmaninov Piano Concerto No 2. and Geoffrey Rush was brilliant in the role. I happen to think Rush is brilliant and at his best in every role he plays. On occasion, Helfgott still plays piano at a pub in the Perth hills but these days he is far from his prime and still psychologically damaged. He grew up a mile or so from where I lived as a child. We heard him play in his heyday when he showed such promise and have always been saddened that he was just not strong enough.

And Yes, Queen Mary's pearl chokers and ropes were part of her persona. I doubt I've ever seen a photo of her without them - She collected jewellery like there was no tomorrow - more or less obliging people to give them to her or buying at ridiculously low prices. She had jewels set into magnificent brooches and tiaras. Most are now part of the Crown jewels but some are the personal property of the present Queen. There are also stories about her reappropriating collections of valuable items and returning them to the Royal collections. Of course, the great ocean liners we know as Queen Mary and Queen Mary II were named for her as was Queen Mary Land in Antarctica and I daresay other places as well.

MaryPage · « **Reply #1148 on:** December 11, 2010, 01:58:13 PM »

I am very close in age, I think a year or two younger, to Queen Elizabeth. I had a fascination as a small child with the then Princess Elizabeth and her little sister, Margaret Rose. They were often featured in LIFE magazine photographs and in the news reels in the movie theatres. Also often dressed alike.

Queen Mary, who was of royal blood, took it upon herself to personally train Elizabeth to be queen from 1936 on. There were a lot of little anecdotes about this relationship back then.

Elizabeth and Margaret Rose's mother, later the Queen Mother, was indeed also Elizabeth. She was Scottish and born Bowes-Lyon. Not royal. Her marriage to the second son, Bertie (later George VI) was a love match, and no one ever expected him to become king! And yes, he had a perfectly dreadful speech impediment.

The first born, whom the family called David, chose the name Edward when George V (husband to Queen Mary) died. Edward VIII. He was known and admired world over: handsome, charming beyond belief, rich, dashing, and Prince of Wales. Oh, and a womanizing bachelor. He literally traveled the world on behalf of his country.

In this country, our newspapers were FULL of the scandal of his preferring a twice-divorced American nobody from Baltimore. Much speculation as to what would happen. Important Brits quoted as saying he could not remain king if he married her.

But, except for royal and government circles in the know, the public in Great Britain knew NOTHING! The newspapers loved their king, and agreed to keep it quiet. So you can imagine the shock and disbelief when the king abdicated with his famous "The Woman I Love" speech! I can remember listening to it on the radio with my family. Americans were dying to know how it would all play out, and, while we felt the same way then about the scandal of divorce, we also felt a bit miffed that our American was considered unfit to be Queen!

It was all brand new, however, in Great Britain; and very upsetting. The new king was an unknown quality; though the little princesses were well known and loved.

MaryPage · « **Reply #1149 on:** December 11, 2010, 02:07:36 PM »

By the way, the film The King's Speech, is not about King Edward's famous abdication speech. Edward VIII had no speech impediment. It is all about his brother, Bertie, known as George VI. Except for his inability to speak well and his frail health, George VI was a hundred times the man his brother was; and his subjects came to realize and appreciate this truth. Especially during and after WWII. He died a much loved man.

JoanK · « **Reply #1150 on:** December 14, 2010, 06:18:34 PM »

I remember reading the comment somewhere that having to be king ruined George V life (I assume he was ubhappy with the role). Have any of you heard that?

roshanarose · « **Reply #1151 on:** December 14, 2010, 07:46:30 PM »

JoanK - Yes I have heard that. Evidently he was painfully shy and the thought of appearing in public so often, terrified him. That's probably why he had Geoffrey Rush come in to work on his stammer.

Gumtree · « **Reply #1152 on:** December 15, 2010, 12:47:46 AM »

Yes, George VI really didn't want to be King - but he was true blue and I doubt anyone else could have done a better job in such difficult wartime circumstances. MaryPage put it so succinctly:

George VI was a hundred times the man his brother was; and his subjects came to realize and appreciate this truth

King George's wife, Elizabeth, the late Queen Mum once said of Wallis Simpson that 'that woman killed my husband' which perhaps refers to the stress being King placed on her 'Bertie' although in actual fact George died of lung cancer caused by heavy smoking. He was only 56 years of age.

Babi · « **Reply #1153 on:** December 15, 2010, 09:09:10 AM »

Heavy smoking is often indicative of a high level of stress, so... Maybe
there was a link between the two. It's easier to blame someone else
than to be angry with your loved one for a habit that took them away
from you so soon.

pedln · « **Reply #1154 on:** December 15, 2010, 10:04:57 AM »

And now The King's Speech is up for Golden Globe Best Drama. It's on my queue, as is The Social Network. And how about Mark Zucherberg being Time's Person of the Year.

Does anyone else feel like they're almost forced into becoming a Facebook member?

Have you seen any of the GG nominees?

MOVIES
Best Picture - Drama
"Black Swan"
"The Fighter"
"Inception"
"The King's Speech"
"The Social Network"

Best Picture - Musical or Comedy
"Alice in Wonderland"
"Burlesque"
"The Kids are All Right"
"Red"
"The Tourist"

maryz · « **Reply #1155 on:** December 15, 2010, 11:17:14 AM »

pedln, RED is the only one of those movies I've seen - and it's wonderful!

Did you know that True Grit was a book before John Wayne made the movie? I didn't until I read about it in the current Newsweek. That writer says the book is ever so much better than Wayne's movie. He also says that the new True Grit movie with Jeff Bridges is better than the first one. I'm looking forward to seeing that one (love Jeff Bridges), and have ordered the book from Amazon.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #1156 on:** December 15, 2010, 01:58:53 PM »

Pedln - Alice In Wonderland is the only one I have seen and I thought it was pretty mediocre, but my daughter loved it and has asked for the DVD for Christmas.

Yes, I feel I have been forced into joining Facebook to find out what my son (who is away for a year) is up to - although my daughter says that no-one puts anything "real" on their "wall" - all the personal stuff is done by private messaging, which makes you wonder why they can't just use e-mail. I loathe Facebook - the public messages are so inane and pointless. I am amazed to see some people of my age being so active on it - they seem to have bought into this whole culture that assumes that people want to know what you thought of last night's X-factor, what you had for breakfast, etc.

R

Babi · « **Reply #1157 on:** December 16, 2010, 08:24:47 AM »

Didn't know that, MARYZ. It seems sacrilege against our beloved John Wayne, but I can believe the book is better, ..and possibly the Jeff Bridges version, too.
I'm with you, ROSEMARY. So many people seem to be desperate to make any kind of contact
at all, when it seems to me they avoid personal contact by spending all their time focusing on
the little pods in their hands. We are becoming more and more isolated. You see people everywhere with their attention focused on their little message machines while ignoring everyone
around them.

roshanarose · « **Reply #1158 on:** December 18, 2010, 12:07:53 AM »

Deviating from the theme, sorry but according to NYT there is a TV series called "Eagle Four". About four Afghan police, it looks quite interesting. I don't know the TV channel to tell you.

pedln · « **Reply #1159 on:** December 18, 2010, 01:10:32 PM »

Thanks for that Roshanarose. Very interesting. It’s partly US funded, TV techniques are taught by a TV crew from Australia. And it surprised me to learn that there is no Internet available in Afghanistan. I think the show is available only in Afghanistan.

Eagle Four -- NY Times

Slilde show

Eagle Four -- hubpages

News:

Author Topic: Movies & Books Into Movies (Read 591806 times)