Author Topic: Movies & Books Into Movies (Read 591741 times)

MaryPage · « **Reply #1320 on:** February 06, 2011, 09:24:22 AM »

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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Your Discussion Leader: pedln

I too loved the movie and agree it was a story taken from a number of the books. There were things I enjoyed in the books that had to be left out, however; so would have preferred more movies. Especially enjoyed the life he lived with his wife and children when back in England. He certainly was not home much, but when he was I found it interesting.

marjifay · « **Reply #1321 on:** February 08, 2011, 11:19:13 AM »

I just watched a very good film from Netflix, IN BRUGES, a 2008 UK film with some great actors including Colin Farrell. Funny, poignant, and suspenseful.

I just found that you can watch Netflix films with subtitles. Wonderful! I have a terrible time with British accents, and even some American films where they mumble.

Speaking of mumbling American films, there is a very funny parody of True Grit (I couldn't understand Jeff Bridges at all in that one), at YouTube, entitled "True Grit with Subtitles."

Marj

MaryPage · « **Reply #1322 on:** February 08, 2011, 11:41:00 AM »

I bought the DVD of IN BRUGES because that is one of my favorite places on the planet. The scenery was beautiful, but I hated the film itself. Too much violence. I loaned it to one daughter who has visited Bruges several times, and she agreed with me: loved seeing the city, hated the plot.

jeriron · « **Reply #1323 on:** February 08, 2011, 05:21:45 PM »

I checked Netflix and realized I had seen In Burges and gave it 4 stars.

pedln · « **Reply #1324 on:** February 08, 2011, 06:27:59 PM »

MaryPage, it's been a few years since I've seen In Bruges, but I felt much as you did. Loved the scenery, but did not really care for the film itself. Maybe on a different day I'd feel differently. A lot depends on mood sometimes.

I saw Sideways when it first came out on DVD and didn't like it all, but so many people were raving about it, even my generation, that when it showed up in Walmart's bargain barrel I snapped it up, but haven't rewatched it yet. The plan is that I will study it to see what everyone is raving about.

I did watch over the weekend the first part of a delightful mini-series -- Dance to the Music of Time -- from Anthony Powell's books -- thoroughly enjoyed it. There are flashbacks, but this first disc is set among the British upper-class a few years after WWI. There are three more segments and I'm looking forward to them.

PatH · « **Reply #1325 on:** February 08, 2011, 10:22:02 PM »

Pedln, I'm so glad you are enjoying Dance to the Music of Time. You don't say if you have read the twelve books on which it's based. If you have, you know what a good job they are doing of accurately getting the spirit of the books. If not, it doesn't matter, it's still a really good story. The remaining discs are just as good.

I'm an Anthony Powell nut, and have read the twelve books more than once. You could quibble about details, but I think they did a remarkable job both of boiling down the plot into something intelligible and of appropriate casting. Have fun watching.

roshanarose · « **Reply #1326 on:** February 08, 2011, 11:00:28 PM »

Has anyone seen "Hereafter"? I do adore Mark Damon. He achieved adoration status because of his performance in "The Talented Mr Ripley". I didn't want that movie to end.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #1327 on:** February 09, 2011, 02:19:57 AM »

Oh yes Pedln and PatH - A Dance to the Music of Time is one of my very top favourites. I have read all of the books, and also watched the series, and I loved them both. Simon Russell Beale, who plays Widmerpool throughout, is a genius IMO - and seems such a nice man too whenever he is interviewed. Lucky you Pedln, still 3 more DVDs to go and all of them wonderful.

Rosemary

Babi · « **Reply #1328 on:** February 09, 2011, 09:00:36 AM »

Your WalMart has a bargain barrel, PEDLN? I've not seen anything
like that in mine. If fact, several months ago they moved so much
around in the store that I'm only now beginning to know my way
around again. I kept telling them they should at least put out a
floor plan for the new arrangements so we could find things, but
my very sensible suggestion was ignored.

I haven't seen any of the films mentioned this morning. I need to find
out a bit more about them and see if I should add to our queue. (That
list is longer than my tbr list.)

PatH · « **Reply #1329 on:** February 09, 2011, 11:47:39 AM »

I think some stores deliberately make it hard to get around and find things. The idea is that if you go through a lot of departments you will make impulse purchases, but it doesn't work that way for me, it just makes me cross and tired.

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #1330 on:** February 09, 2011, 01:07:16 PM »

Just a couple comments on prev. posts: "In Bruges" - beautiful scenery, but the violence and cursing totally turned me off.

"Hereafter" with Matt Damon, saw it and enjoyed it. I think it's one that should be seen at least twice.

Got "The Talented Mr. Ripley" from Netflix. It actually was my first time to see the movie from beginning to end. I had seen parts of it, but I am kind of silly, if a movie is on, and is "in the middle" so to speak, I won't watch the rest of it. So I had seen several of the middle parts. Matt was wonderful in that, so much so that I just hated him! (translates into great acting)

Sideways - yes it was hyped hyped hyped. But it didn't do a thing for me, and one viewing was plenty.

I have never heard of "Dance to the Music of Time" but you all are making it sound so interesting, I may have to get it from Netflix (do they have it?)

Mippy · « **Reply #1331 on:** February 09, 2011, 01:45:20 PM »

Well done, PatH, on comparing the movie to the O'Brien books as a mish-mash! My opinion, too! Not only have I read all his books more than once, but they remain at hand. Some nights my late-evening reading is too ... crime-solving-ish ... to get to sleep with, so P. O'Brien comes to hand again.
But despite all that, I enjoyed the movie Master and Commander!

MaryPage · « **Reply #1332 on:** February 09, 2011, 02:36:59 PM »

I own a boxed, 4 volume set of DVDs for A Dance to the Music of Time, and truth to tell, I don't remember a thing about it. Will have to pull it down and watch it again, unless I have not watched it at all. Thing is, it was on a shelf in my bookcase that holds all of my DVDs that is only for films I have already viewed. Maybe I haven't? Maybe I am suffering from short-term memory loss! Bummer! Will take a look at it soon.

joyous · « **Reply #1333 on:** February 09, 2011, 02:43:33 PM »

I consider In Bruges one of the worst movies I have ever seen.
JOY

pedln · « **Reply #1334 on:** February 09, 2011, 03:08:15 PM »

Quote

Your WalMart has a bargain barrel, PEDLN?

They did, Babi, just a big wire mesh thing piled three or four feet high with DVDs. When it first caught my eye we had just been discussing the film The Emperor's Club, and there is was in the barrel and I didn't get it. And of course the next time I couldn't find it -- just stood there digging like a squirrel looking for nuts in a snowstorm. But I have picked up some others that way and now it's kind of a game -- what will I want to watch more than once, and how cheap will it be. My real bargain was a $4 number with Casablanca, Gigi, and two other films. Amazon, too, sometimes has great markdowns and I usually keep some in my cart there, just in case. If they're in your cart and the price goes down, they let you know. Likewise if they go up. Right now I'm keeping an eye on The Bourne Trilogy, but it has to drop a little more for old tight wad here.

PatH, I haven't read any of the Anthony Powell or Patrick O'Brian books and may have to let those pass me by. There's only so much time, right.

The Social Network just came out on DVD and is no 1 in my netflix queue. The note beside it says Very Long Wait -- I wonder how long.

marjifay · « **Reply #1335 on:** February 09, 2011, 03:28:18 PM »

Pat said, "I think some stores deliberately make it hard to get around and find things. The idea is that if you go through a lot of departments you will make impulse purchases, but it doesn't work that way for me, it just makes me cross and tired. "

I'm with you, Pat. I'm not a "shopper," and when I do go to a store I know exactly what I want. If I can't find it quickly, or find someone to help me, I leave.

Marge

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #1336 on:** February 09, 2011, 05:54:05 PM »

Yes Pat - the ones that drive me nuts are those that have one "up" escalator, then you have to walk round to the other end to get the up escalator to the next floor. I'm sure they think you will pass things that you will then buy, whereas of course I just get cross and hot and more likely to walk out with nothing.

I recall my MIL telling me years ago that she could no longer be bothered with the queues in supermarkets and just got her groceries from the local (expensive) petrol station. At the time I thought she was mad - and needless to say I now think along very similar lines - it's all too much trouble ! Do you think we spend so many years running about like headless chickens when our children are little, that when they have grown up we just think "no more! now it's time for me!"?

Rosemary

Babi · « **Reply #1337 on:** February 10, 2011, 08:40:10 AM »

Amen, PATH. I do most of my grocery shopping at the smallest store
around. It may not have the variety of the bigger stores, but it
doesn't tire me out, either.

Quote

My real bargain was a $4 number with Casablanca, Gigi,and two other films.

Oh, wow! That was a great find.

roshanarose · « **Reply #1338 on:** February 10, 2011, 10:07:58 AM »

Tomereader - Thanks for that info about "Hereafter". I agree that one couln't help but hate Matt Damon in "The Talented Mr Ripley", but, oh! that killer smile and that coltish awkwardness (and those glasses!). I can see how the other characters could have been fooled.

MaryPage · « **Reply #1339 on:** February 11, 2011, 12:45:54 PM »

A great day in History! A great day for Egypt! People dancing in the streets all over that country and many other nations of the Middle East. Reminds me of V-J Day!

A reminder of what I hope will go down in the History books, though I feel doubtful: this was all begun by a YOUNG WOMAN with college degrees. She has generaled the whole peaceful protest. Hope she gets the credit, but, men being what they are, I doubt it. One can but hope!

pedln · « **Reply #1340 on:** February 11, 2011, 10:38:54 PM »

Did you notice all the children there -- waving flags, riding on shoulders, some in cars. Even if the very little ones won't remember the day, their parents want them to know that they witnessed history being made. So they can tell their children , "I was there when . . . .. ."

roshanarose · « **Reply #1341 on:** February 12, 2011, 08:19:55 AM »

MaryPage - there was a comprehensive coverage on the International TV channel this evening about the change of the guard in Egypt. The cynic in me tells me that the Egyptians have and long and rocky road to "Democracy" Western style. No young woman was mentioned.

pedln · « **Reply #1342 on:** February 12, 2011, 04:20:08 PM »

In every Friday Wall Street Journal Joe Morganstern has a column about current or upcoming films. I don't always get to it, but did read todays, and was happy to pick up on this excerpt.

Quote

Several weeks before it opened, I had a conversation with Rupert Murdoch, who popped a question familiar to movie critics: What should he see?

I suggested "The King's Speech," and, not wanting to spoil it with too many details, gave a shorthand description: Colin Firth as King George VI, who has a terrible stutter, and Geoffrey Rush as a raffish Australian speech therapist.

Yes, he replied, Lionel Logue.

"So you know the story."

Not the story of the movie, he said. "Lionel Logue saved my father's life."

When I responded with speechlessness, he explained that his father, as a young man, wanted passionately to be a newspaper reporter, but couldn't interview people because he stuttered. Then he met Lionel Logue, who cured him in less than a year.

Gumtree · « **Reply #1343 on:** February 13, 2011, 01:42:08 AM »

In his early days Lionel Logue taught elocution at a private school here in Perth, West. Aust. Needless to say, after his first address to the school assembly his classes were mobbed by eager students wanting to take his classes.

mabel1015j · « **Reply #1344 on:** February 14, 2011, 03:02:21 PM »

Re:large vs small grocery stores, for 30 yrs Acme had a nice moderately sized store in the downtown section of our town. On my way home from work, i cld stop, park next to the store, run in and get something for supper, and, if i didn't run into and chat w/an acquaintance, i cld be out in 10-15 mins. About 10 yrs ago they opened a huuuge store outside of town, near a new Wegman's, and in a few yrs, closed "the little Acme" as everyone called it. Now there is no grocery store that can be easily walked to, or close to several small senior housing areas in town. So, the drug stores have begun to sell non-perishables, both of them are on Main Street and can be walked to. Three weeks ago Acme closed the " big" store on the edge of town!!! Anybody who was willing to fight the crowds and the loooong aisles, were going to Wegman's, which had better prices on regular products and all the exotic products you want..........since i was an Acme customer and i'm not a fan of those features of Wegman's, i've got to find a new store. So much for customer service, or chatting to tour customer's abt what they want. Nobody i knew wanted to see the "little Acme" closed.

MaryPage · « **Reply #1345 on:** February 14, 2011, 04:11:48 PM »

Isn't that the way of things, though. Sigh! I feel your frustration.

Here in Annapolis, I have no complaints; but picturesque and beautiful though it is, I would not live in one of the million dollar plus homes in our Historic District for anything. Yes, I would adore to live in one of those wonderful old houses, and yes I would love to be able to walk down to City Dock or the restaurants or little shoppes. But there is no grocery store whatsoever, not a mini convenience or 7/11 or you-name-it for miles and miles. You simply have to drive, and what is more, there is NO parking to be had anywhere downtown. Even a homeowner, except for the very rare driveway, has no quarantee of a space in front of their own (did I mention multi-million dollar?) home! It takes a special kind of person, and I am not one of those. But then again, I would not qualify for one financially. Sigh!

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #1346 on:** February 14, 2011, 05:57:26 PM »

Jean - the same thing is happening here. First all the big supermarket chains - Tesco, Sainsbury's, Asda, - all opened huge superstores to which you need to drive; now, they have all started buying up shops in the city centre and making them into "Tesco Metro", etc - ie the replacements for the corner shops they put out of business in the first place. Whilst it's handy having them locally, they do not have the personal service that the old corner shops had - they don't know their customers, and would never respond to a particular customer's request for a certain product - it's all distributed from a centralised depot. What's more, they charge more for the same item in one of these shops than they do in their out of town stores; I am fine with small independent shops charging more, but why should Sainsbury's need to do so?

R

mabel1015j · « **Reply #1347 on:** February 14, 2011, 06:42:21 PM »

One time when i went to the " little Acme" for my big shopping trip, when i got to the cash register, i realized i didn't have my check book, and i had already been "checked out". I had been shopping there for at least ten yrs and it was small enough and had a stable enough staff that they did know their customers. When i went to the manager and asked if i could just leave my cart of groceries while i went home for my checkbook - i lived less than 10 blocks away, she said "take it with you, i know you will be back." Even tho i knew she knew me, even i was surprised. ..... Jean

Babi · « **Reply #1348 on:** February 15, 2011, 08:28:55 AM »

Something similar happened to me, JEAN, many years ago. I stopped
for gas a few blocks from my home, filled my tank, and then with my
mind on other things, drove away. I hadn't gone far before it registered
on me what I had done. I whipped the car around and returned, red-faced, to the gas station. The guy in charge just grinned and said, "I
knew you'd be back." Made me feel so much better.

pedln · « **Reply #1349 on:** February 15, 2011, 12:42:33 PM »

Babi, you were lucky. If you had not been a familiar face, they probably would have had your license number and then the sirens chasing you.

Wegman's -- I have heard of that many times, but have never seen one. Some authors have mentioned it in their books -- Margaret Maron, maybe? It is mainly a southern store, or eastern?

I have seen part 2 of Dance to the Music of Time. Still enjoying it and looking forward to part 3.

Did you all see Masterpiece Sunday night -- part 1, Any Human Heart? Based on a novel by Scottish writer William Boyd. Three actors portray the protagonist, Jim Broadbent his later years.

Last night I watched part of A Time to Kill. I think the book is one of Grisham's best, and it will be interesting to see how closely the movie follows it. I've seen several Grisham films, but not that one.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #1350 on:** February 15, 2011, 12:47:48 PM »

I wrote a post this morning and it seems to have disappeared - however, I am so frazzled and fragile today (first day of packers, real start of big move) that I could easily have cancelled it myself

Anyway, what I think I said was - a few months ago my son had to visit a physiotherapist in Fort William (ie the Highlands, a long way from here) - needless to say he had no money. I called the physio and said I would put a cheque in the post but it might not arrive till after the appointment, especially considering the weather we were having at the time. The physio said "No problem - it'll turn up; we trust people in the Highlands". So it does still happen - but it wouldn't happen here, let alone in London, etc.

Rosemary

roshanarose · « **Reply #1351 on:** February 15, 2011, 08:49:42 PM »

Rosemary - We have all been there and know what a ghastly process it is. Even worse when no husband is around to help; mine - divorced; yours - at work. Shares the burden. Please take care, one step at a time and the heavy part will be over. Think of the adventures you will have in the beautiful city of Edinburgh when it is all over. Your own Scottish Odyssey waiting for you. Oh! I forgot - also your first battered haggis waiting for you

Babi · « **Reply #1352 on:** February 16, 2011, 08:15:58 AM »

Oh, no fear of that, PEDLN. I realized my mistake and was back at
the station before the guy could have finished that call.
I did start "Any Human Heart", but didn't stay with it long. I
really didn't care for it and decided I could find something better
to do with my time.

MaryPage · « **Reply #1353 on:** February 16, 2011, 10:11:47 AM »

Pedln, I have been watching Masterpiece for over 40 years, but I just could not like ANY HUMAN HEART. To tell the truth, I suspect strongly it was more the way it was filmed rather than the story itself. I gave up halfway through and, just like Babi, turned to something else: the book I am currently reading.

After you mentioned A Dance To The Music Of Time in here, I got my boxed DVD set out and last weekend watched it all. Four DVDs. Hours and hours. I had pretty much forgotten it, so I must have viewed it the first time not long after my husband died. What I saw and heard and read during that period is quite blurred in my memory cells.

jeriron · « **Reply #1354 on:** February 16, 2011, 10:27:08 AM »

I ordered "Dance to the Music of Time" from Netflix. I haven't started watching them yet. They sent me the first two and then skipped over 3 and 4 to another movie. That makes me so mad. None of them were on wait so there was no reason to do that. I'm not sure I want to start them if I don't get the other two for awhile.

pedln · « **Reply #1355 on:** February 16, 2011, 10:36:40 AM »

jeriron, I think if you had them in order in your queue that they would send them that way. I have No. 3 here, and No. 4 is now first in my queue. Social Network has been first in my queue, designated "very long wait," then "long wait" and I see that they are now shipping it today. I just kept thinking they'd skip over it forever.

As soon as I finish A Time to Kill I'll watch no. 3 and send it back so Netflix can send it on to you -- though I'm sure they have more than one copy.

jeriron · « **Reply #1356 on:** February 16, 2011, 10:48:45 AM »

I had them in order. Blockbuster would put a lock on a series and wouldn't send any of them if they didn't have all of them to send.

PatH · « **Reply #1357 on:** February 16, 2011, 04:12:40 PM »

I had a similar experience with Netflix and Dance to the Music of Time. They may not have very many copies. I didn't mind that much, since I'm so familiar with the books that a gap didn't matter.

jeriron · « **Reply #1358 on:** February 22, 2011, 08:35:26 AM »

I finally started "Dancing to the Music of Time". I'm enjoying it a lot. I sent one DVD back and am going to watch the second one this morning. Hopfully they won't take to long to get the next two out to me. I read that some people were'nt happy that they changed the main actors in the last disc instead of just making them look older like they did with the other cast members. Does anyone remember that?

pedln · « **Reply #1359 on:** February 22, 2011, 09:57:01 AM »

jeriron, I'm glad you're enjoying Dance to the Music of Time. I sent Disc3 back this weekend, and Disc4 is on its way. Wouldn't you know my disc3 had some bad spots on it. I tried wiping and then washing it to no avail, but it wasn't enough of a problem to make me want to reorder. I sent it back with a note and an email message.

I did not know that they changed actors on disc 4. Hopefully I'll know who is who.

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Author Topic: Movies & Books Into Movies (Read 591741 times)