Author Topic: Movies & Books Into Movies (Read 588778 times)

Mippy · « **Reply #360 on:** October 16, 2009, 08:42:23 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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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

Oh goody, can we rate these movies?
Coen Brothers movies are mixed, for me.

No Country for Old Men (2007) not bad, good acting, weird plot

O Brother, Where Art Thou? (2000) one of the best, laugh riot!

Fargo (1996) The Best. Seen again, still good!

Barton Fink (1991) awful, don't waste your time
that was a surprise because I almost always like John Turratino

I hope the new one is up there with the best ... do tell ...

Babi · « **Reply #361 on:** October 17, 2009, 08:31:21 AM »

I watched "Brother, Where Art Thou" twice. I never thought of myself as a
country music fan, but I really liked the music they used in the movie. The scene
where a large group of people were walking down to the river to be baptized,
singing as a choral group, was truly magical.
'Fargo' was such a departure from the usual country sheriff genre it bordered
on genius.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #362 on:** October 17, 2009, 09:34:48 AM »

Nobody has mentioned Raising Arizona. There are parts in that movie where I laughed til I hurt. Some of it isn't funny but on the whole it is a riot. Fargo, same.

Babi · « **Reply #363 on:** October 18, 2009, 09:33:31 AM »

The title "Raising Arizona" is very familiar, but I honestly can't remember
whether I saw it or not. I may have just seen some of the ads.

Gumtree · « **Reply #364 on:** October 18, 2009, 12:17:39 PM »

Just finished watching latest version of The 39 Steps which was screened locally tonight. Enjoyed it thoroughly - it kept the pace up - though there really wasn't any tension throughout. Wasn't much like I remember from earlier versions. Why do they tamper with the storylines all the time - Penry-Jones is certainly not going to oust Robert Donat or Kenneth More as my favourite Hannay but he was OK.

Also, last night we watched a DVD of the classic Casablanca - it never changes - these days I'm not sure whether the cast and crew were playing it seriously or not . Claude Raines was surely playing for laughs. So many one liners from them all - I'd forgotten what a great actor Paul Henreid was -

PatH · « **Reply #365 on:** October 18, 2009, 10:16:53 PM »

Gumtree, I don't know the latest version of 39 steps,but the original version with Robert Donat was already a total tampering with the book (which is actually a rather slight plot). As you probably remember from Author Author, I am a fan of John Buchan--I'm not quite sure why--he's pretty corny and his politics and world view aren't mine, but he's good at telling a tale and catching you up in what he feels, and I've read pretty much all he's written with pleasure.

Gumtree · « **Reply #366 on:** October 18, 2009, 10:32:50 PM »

PatH Yes, I know - very corny at times. I guess that the Robert Donat version is something of a classic and has become the yardstick we measure others by - and of course, Donat had Hitchcock at the helm. I know it's been a long time and perhaps my memory is not what it was - but I don't recall a suffragette alongside Donat

PatH · « **Reply #367 on:** October 18, 2009, 10:49:45 PM »

Gumtree, I don't recall a suffragette anywhere. Buchan has some powerful women--the villainess in "Greenmantle", and the woman Hannay marries after "Mr. Standfast", but they all fit into the pattern of "powerful in their way, but the world is still run by men's rules".

Babi · « **Reply #368 on:** October 19, 2009, 08:32:46 AM »

You thought so, too, PatH? I remember reading the '39 Steps', and being
disappointed in it. I thought it was supposed to be really good, but
maybe I just got that impression because of the movie publicity. I don't
remember actually seeing the movie, either.

pedln · « **Reply #369 on:** October 24, 2009, 10:59:00 PM »

It seems to me that I've heard of 39 steps since forever, but have never seen nor read it. For some reason I thought it was a religious story, but from the way a few of described it, it sounds like a thriller. Guess I'll have to read it and find out.

I've had The Station Agent here from Netflix since mid-September. Just never felt in the mood. But I finally got a decent DVD player hooked up, so last night was the trial run. It was great, I loved it -- about a dwarf (played by Peter Dinklage) who loves trains. More than people. It was very much a film about the ways we shut people out, as well as how we open doors. Thomas McCarthy was the director, and I believe also wrote the screenplay. The film itself has received a variety of awards.

Has anyone seen Amelia? The NYT reviewer really panned it, but other than that I know nothing.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #370 on:** October 24, 2009, 11:41:13 PM »

Richard Gere and Hilary Swank are not my dream couple. I'll pass.

PatH · « **Reply #371 on:** October 25, 2009, 12:30:18 AM »

Pedln, 39 Steps is a pre-WWI spy thriller. Although I'm a fan of the author, this book is rather slight, though it reads along OK. I don't care much for the movie.

ginny · « **Reply #372 on:** October 25, 2009, 09:17:51 AM »

No I'm going to pass on the Swank/ Gere thing too. I hear a lot of people are planning the same, shame really, I guess.

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I'm still on a Valentino kick and yesterday thought it might be nice to read a book about him, so I went to Amazon and yes, there's one with interviews, etc., but I thought that looks like a coffee table book, I don't' need one that big, and looked at the price in passing. And looked at the price? And stared at the price! GUESS what the price of that book was?

Don't look it up, guess?

Slick glossy looking book, guess at the price?

Perhaps we should give a prize to the person who comes closest? I would say without going over, but there's no fear of that.

_________________________

So I won't be reading about him.

I first saw O Brother Where Art Thou in a class on the Odyssey, believe it or not and was immediately hooked on the music and the cleverness of it. A local musician was also in it. I got the sound track and still play it in the car, fabulous thing.

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Has anybody seen September Issue? It came here but left before I could get to see it, another documentary, this time on Anna Wintour, would love to see it, but maybe it will come out on DVD, I'm beginning to enjoy that experience more than the movie theater.

You can stop the action or fast forward it and see something as many times as you like, a different kind of experience. Which do you prefer, really? The theater or the DVD? I like the little players, mine has a 9 inch screen (do they make bigger ones? ) and sits in the lap, for all but a few movies it's perfect.

pedln · « **Reply #373 on:** October 25, 2009, 01:14:32 PM »

I wouldn't buy that book. You don't even get FREE SHIPPING!!

But now I know Valentino's last name.

I love seeing movies on a big screen, but the DVDs offer so many more choices, in additon to providing subtitles and/or captions. And it's a great way to watch some of those TV shows that were missed in previous years. Right now I"m working my way through Desperate Housewives and Boston Legal. Up until last week I really didn't know who people were talking about when they'd mention Jon and Kate -- plus 8. Reality TV. And Netflix has their first two seasons available, but I doubt I'll put them in my queue at #169.

But isn't it amazing how much is now available to us, in so many different ways, all because of technology.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #374 on:** October 25, 2009, 01:39:40 PM »

DVDs by a mile. The other features mentioned plus the biggie IMHO is the commentary. watching Waiting for Guffman on DVD and then listening to the commentary by Christopher Guest and Eugene Levy, the movie became memorable in a new way. Love the extras on DVDs.

marjifay · « **Reply #375 on:** October 26, 2009, 12:08:05 AM »

Pedln said: But isn't it amazing how much is now available to us, in so many different ways, all because of technology.

I love the way you can get repeats on the internet of programs you missed via UTube, et al. And I've found old television programs, like Jack Benny and other really old ones on UTube. And now CSpan's BookTV website is set up so you can watch programs you've missed.
Wonderful!

Marj

mrssherlock · « **Reply #376 on:** October 28, 2009, 01:05:27 PM »

Somehow I missed Marley and Me. When I saw the movie recently I loved it. How do the book and movie compare? The author has a new book out http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/g/john-grogan/longest-trip-home.htm by John Grogan.

Babi · « **Reply #377 on:** October 29, 2009, 08:07:21 AM »

I wonder if I have C-Spans Book TV? I'll have to go check my listings.
I'd like to know what that's about.

maryz · « **Reply #378 on:** October 29, 2009, 09:27:16 AM »

Babi, in our system, BookTV is on CSpan-2, generally only on weekends. Look online at booktv.org for the schedule.

Babi · « **Reply #379 on:** October 30, 2009, 08:06:48 AM »

Thanks, MARYZ. I do have C-Span 2; I'll check the schedule for this
weekend.

joyous · « **Reply #380 on:** November 01, 2009, 10:48:16 PM »

Joy

fairanna · « **Reply #381 on:** November 17, 2009, 02:59:21 AM »

Since we had a week of RAIN AND WIND ETC from the nor'easter aided and abetted via hurricane Ida ...I had to go out one day for some dr tests and thank goodness I had a warm jacket with a hood and longer length, The wind pushed rain sideways and it hurt to have it hit a bare spot,,anyway I had time (although I did lose power one evening ) to read a book from front to back Has anyone read The Time Traveler's Wife? I understand it is or will be coming out soon and is called a MAJOR MOTION PICTURE...

I wish I had a concise opinion but I kept changing my mind about how I viewed it ..There were parts I loved and other ones I just wasnt sure what the author was thinking ..BUT I want to see the movie because I have to know how they DID it! I would love to hear what those who read it has to say..anyone? annafair

Babi · « **Reply #382 on:** November 17, 2009, 08:36:58 AM »

Hi, ANNA. I've been seeing quite a bit of ads and talk about "The Time
Traveler's Wife". I'm not sure if I want to read the book/see the movie
or not. What little I know about it leaves me ambivalent.
When you see the movie, let me know what you think of it. I'll probably need a strong recommendation from people with tastes similar
to mine before I tackle the book.

fairanna · « **Reply #383 on:** November 17, 2009, 08:46:10 AM »

It is a clever book but ......I can tell when a book captures me ...I dont peek at the ending to make sure it would be worth my time ....I peeked but still felt hmmmm which is why I am anxious to hear what other readers think,,,,I have some other new books to read but time seems to be moving FAST hugs to all

Babi · « **Reply #384 on:** November 17, 2009, 09:08:15 AM »

Oh, my, doesn't it!! It seems I've hardly turned around each year before it's holiday season again. What happened to those endless days of childhood, when the next event took forever to get here?
Oh, I know. Then, I was just waiting for it. Now, I've got to get ready for them....all of them!

I guess I'll wait and see the movie. What I've heard about the book
makes me suspect it would only irritate me. $:-\$

pedln · « **Reply #385 on:** November 17, 2009, 09:47:27 AM »

Anna, how nice to see you here. Like Babi, I've heard about the Time-travellers Wife, but have never put it on my To Read list. Perhaps the movie, when it comes out on DVD, but I've never really been drawn to books about the strange or impossible. However, your comments sent me looking for more, and Audrey Niffenegger, the author sounds most interesting. T-T W was her first novel, her second has either recently been published or is due out soon. But she is also an artist and will exhibit sometime this coming year in her hometown of Chicago. She's also created a visual series, The Night Bookmobile, for the UK's Guardian, and it will be published in book form next year. Here's her website Audrey Niffenegger

salan · « **Reply #386 on:** November 17, 2009, 12:20:16 PM »

My ftf book club read The Time Traveler's Wife last year. It got mixed reviews from the group. I did not care for it much. My SIL really loved it and she and I usually agree; so maybe it was the mood I was in. I'll probably wait to see the movie until it comes to TV.
Sally

fairanna · « **Reply #387 on:** November 17, 2009, 12:32:31 PM »

Pedlin thanks for the link and after viewing her paintings the book I read is more understandable.....I know over the years I have written short stories and one was published in a works by the seniornet writers group and another won a first place at a writers conference...all of mine are on a disk but I have never tried to do anything with them...it would seem her mind is always busy and she has done something with it...and I have to admit my mind seems to be like hers...lol Strange ...I am glad I followed through on the email about the books discussions ...

My life has changed considerably since my companion of 8 years passed away Easter this year...he was ill most of those years and I could have suggested he return to his daughters in Iowa,,,but taking care of him gave my life a purpose and I felt God had sent him here to give him another 8 years of life and asked me to care for him..

Now my mind has become very active and I may write some more stories ..they come to me when I am ready for bed,,,,AUGH

My two HUGE Goldens keep me busy and awake since they will bark at me to let me know they need attention .I think I prefer a human at least they speak human and it is hard to converse with dogs they dont speak human and I dont speak woof.....I am glad to be here ....and enjoy reading everyones comments ...I SEE US IN MY MIND sitting around my dining table ,,yellow pads full of ink scratches of our thoughts...tea cups empty or still full of a delicious tea, crumbs from the home made cookied I have offered tomorrow I am baking wonderful chocolate chip cookies with pecan and walnut pieces....( I dont keep them but send them to friends from on line or neighborhood children ,,,baking cookies is a soothing way to help a day go bye and I often think of a story or a poem when I am doing so,, the aroma from the cookies and having a cup of tea with some oven warm cookies is my idea if bliss ...God Bless all :-)

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #388 on:** November 17, 2009, 12:32:45 PM »

Audrey Niffenegger's latest is "Her Fearful Symmetry". I read it and enjoyed it much more than TTW. It, too, is filled with oddity. I read it right around Halloween time, and found that it fit right into that time period. A ghost story, to simplify. The locale is England and set near the "cemetary" where some famous people are buried. It made me want to visit England and see this burial ground.

Babi · « **Reply #389 on:** November 18, 2009, 08:41:15 AM »

Interesting, PEDLN. I enjoy the strange, but have a lifted eyebrow for
the impossible. The proposition should be at least within the dim range of
possibility so I can relax and let my imagination roam.

Okay, Niffenegger's drawings are definitely weird. For some reason I
clicked on a pendant(?) held by a woman in one drawing and Surprise!!,
another drawing came up whose symbolism equally escapes me. A raven with a crown, a leash around it's neck held by a skeleton smaller than the raven.
Does anybody have a clue? FAIRANNA?

Frybabe · « **Reply #390 on:** November 18, 2009, 09:47:37 AM »

Babi regarding your description of a drawing in Niffenegger's book: Could the raven with a crown reference the British crown? Remember they keep ravens at the Tower of London, wings clipped so they can't fly away. The myth is that if they fly away England will fall. That may explain the leash. Is it possible that the skeleton represents the Empire a mere skeleton of what it once was? Well, that is my interpretation without seeing it or reading the book.

pedln · « **Reply #391 on:** November 18, 2009, 10:49:19 PM »

You are invited to a

HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE for Book and Food Lovers

December 1 - 20

Guests will be YOU and authors of your favorite books that combine a good story with good tips on food. Do drop in and tell us about your favorite foodies, real and otherwise, be it Rachel Ray or Kate Jacobs or Tyler Florence or Joanne Harris. Who's your favorite cook?

Babi · « **Reply #392 on:** November 19, 2009, 08:04:30 AM »

A very imaginative interpretation, FRYBABE. Who knows? I found it by
accident, clicking on an object in another drawing. I had no idea there
was anything there, nor do I know why I had an impulse to click. The mind can do very strange things.

PatH · « **Reply #393 on:** November 19, 2009, 12:22:34 PM »

Babi, maybe there were subliminal clues in the painting urging you to click.

Babi · « **Reply #394 on:** November 20, 2009, 08:03:06 AM »

Hmm, interesting thought, PAT. It was a medallion or pendant, being
dangled by a woman sort of hanging in air. Perhaps that made me
curious, but who would have thought to click on something inside a
painting?
I'm wondering now if perhaps other paintings I've viewed on-line could
have been seen in more detail by clicking inside the picture.

pedln · « **Reply #395 on:** November 27, 2009, 03:32:32 PM »

Brace yourselves. This weekend's Wall Street Personal Journal calls it the time for Serious Movies for Grownups, that period at the end of the year when studios release the last of their Oscar ( and other award) hopefuls. And this year's selection sounds good.

Up in The Air starring George Clooney, due for release Dec. 4, loosely based on a novel of the same name by Walter Kirn. About a guy who goes from city to city firing people. That's his job. But when the economy tanked, the director had to make changes, including having real people who were really fired, incorporated into the script.

The Lovely Bones, based on Alice Sebold's novel, long-awaited, is due out Dec. 11.

And also on Dec. 4, The Last Station, about Tolstoy's final days, starring Helen Mirren and Christopher Plummer. That sounds like a lineup hard to beat.

mrssherlock · « **Reply #396 on:** November 27, 2009, 04:27:07 PM »

We have Cormac McCarthy's The Road, as well. We discussed this on SeniorNet. http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/hr/film-reviews/the-road-film-review-1004009191.story

pedln · « **Reply #397 on:** November 27, 2009, 09:17:23 PM »

That's right, Jackie, though I think I will pass on that one for a while. I know both book and film have received a lot of attention, but post-apocalypse dramas are not my cup of tea.

ginny · « **Reply #398 on:** November 30, 2009, 08:27:18 PM »

I just read that! Isn't it amazing how much older Helen Mirren looks in that get up than she does normally?

At any rate that looks good. I came in to say that I have finally viewed Outsourced, recommended here, it's cute. I enjoyed it, thanks for the recommendation.

One not mentioned here (yet) is Berkeley Square, I think it is, about 4 nannies in England, in 1902. I saw it for sale in one of the PBS catalogs and thought I'd rent it from Netflix and loved it. Very much like Upstairs Downstairs if the first two are anything to go by (there are 10).

JoanK · « **Reply #399 on:** November 30, 2009, 09:47:05 PM »

We're looking forward to seeing you at the

Holiday Open House

December 1 - 20

News:

Author Topic: Movies & Books Into Movies (Read 588778 times)