Author Topic: Movies & Books Into Movies (Read 591794 times)

Frybabe · « **Reply #1560 on:** April 26, 2011, 05:44:24 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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Your Discussion Leader: pedln

I don't believe we are getting that on my local PBS station. I'll have to keep an eye out.

roshanarose · « **Reply #1561 on:** April 27, 2011, 12:06:06 AM »

Tomereader - Yes, I agree, Doc Martin is wonderful. And quite addictive. I especially like where the cafe/restaurant is situated - looking out over the water. Reminds me of Greece. Martin Clunes who plays the Doc has also done a couple of documentaries and is barely recognisable as the ever so grumpy Doc Martin. His true self (well as true as a doco can depict) seems very gentle and sweet. He loves horses so that is definitely a plus.

I was even more addicted to "Hamish Macbeth". Ex-hub and I would be glued to the screen when that was on. The repeats are on too late for me now of Hamish - starts at 11.30pm. Is it on in the U S of A?

I haven't seen a movie for ages. I must make an effort to go out more.

Rosemary - I am rather curious as to why your relative turned William down?

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #1562 on:** April 27, 2011, 01:57:41 AM »

Yes, Roshanarose - and Martin Clunes also loves dogs, so all in all he's nearly perfect

According to her father - my husband's cousin - daughter turned William down "because he was boring". Ooops - it will probably be off with my head now...

Rosemary

Gumtree · « **Reply #1563 on:** April 27, 2011, 04:37:40 AM »

I enjoyed Doc Martin too - the repeat of the umpteenth series of it just finished screening here last weekend... Must admit the Cornish scenery is lovely - it's always summertime and the sea is always calm - maybe not quite the reality ...

Watched a couple of films - the McKellen Richard III which I loved first time around but on reviewing found it less than I thought it was... maybe my mood at the time.

Also watched Amadeus which I hated first time but this time enjoyed thoroughly and thought some parts were brilliant.

Babi · « **Reply #1564 on:** April 27, 2011, 08:32:23 AM »

I'll have to look that up, TOME. Some British series I love, others are a bit too 'broad'
for my taste. I prefer my humor a bit more subtle.

As to the young lady's indictment of Prince William, I would imaging being raised in the torpidity of royal protocol would make one rather stiff, socially. Pity. I do think....hope...that the infusion of fresh blood from the very activist Diana is doing the royal line a world of good.

Frybabe · « **Reply #1565 on:** April 27, 2011, 08:35:52 AM »

I think my PBS station ran a few Hamish MacBeth stories several years ago. I may have watched one or two.

Once again, I watched The Importance of Being Ernest. I just adore that play. My sister watched The King's Speech the other night and is raving about it.

MaryPage · « **Reply #1566 on:** April 27, 2011, 09:40:10 AM »

I adore Doc Martin as well. Seldom get to watch an episode, as it usually conflicts with something else in its time slot; but love it when I can tune it in.

And The Importance of Being Earnest is one I've never tired of. Have seen so very many different versions of it. One of the most modern and funniest starred Colin Firth, he of The King's Speech, some years back. Do look it up and see it, and, as is often a trick they play on us these days, DO NOT turn it off when the credits begin to run, because some of the very funniest scenes occur then.

PatH · « **Reply #1567 on:** April 27, 2011, 09:42:59 PM »

Yes, the Colin Firth "Earnest" is really good.

My favorite memory about the play occurred when I was watching it done by a summer stock theater at a vacation resort. In a scene (I think in the country, when "Bunbury" and Earnest are talking at tea) a cat wandered on stage. Without missing a beat, Bunbury waited until it got in reach, went on talking while he scooped it up, and rang for the butler (due to be rung for shortly) and handed him the cat. The butler looked pretty startled, but gamely went off with the cat and reappeared later on cue. The cat did not take a curtain call afterward.

roshanarose · « **Reply #1568 on:** April 27, 2011, 11:42:16 PM »

Interesting re how many stories, TV programs and plays we enjoy together.

It's also interesting about how plays etc that you study at University influence you, quite often due to the lecturer.

We used to have a different lecturer/prof for each different author/playwright. My favourite lecturer was a man called Dr Jim Sait. Jim was a gorgeous languid man, and his lectures were by far the most popular. Considering George Eliot was his specialty, this was no mean feat. When we got to "Middlemarch", Jim acted out the part of the tragic hero who couldn't have the married Dorothea. Big sighs were quite audible throughout the lecture theatre when Jim lay seductively on a chaise longue he had brought specifically to lay "seductively on". It was only the year after that we found that Jim was gay, but we all adored him, and it was admitted that he did seem a bit unattainable. I tried and tried to read Middlemarch, but for me, at least, it was not easy reading. But I did see an excellent TV adaptation of it and thought of the languid Jim.

This next story is a bit risque - if you are easily offended please do not read.

That same year I was reintroduced to Oscar Wilde. My mother had read me the "Happy Prince" when I was small and I loved it. I can't remember the lecturer's name for Oscar; but I can remember his appearance. He bounded on to the stage in full academic regalia. He had curly grey hair in profusion and a very ruddy complexion. The first thing he said sent a sharp intake of breath throughout the lecture hall. He said, "Always remember that Oscar Wilde lived by one maxim. Buggers can't be choosers". After that everyone used to attend the Wilde lectures - naughty kiddies that we were.

So impressed were we with "The Importance of Being Ernest" that we used to play act it at home with friends. I, of course, was Lady Bracknell.

MaryPage · « **Reply #1569 on:** April 28, 2011, 07:28:55 AM »

My favorite Oscar Wilde fairy tale was (is) The Selfish Giant. Made sure my children loved it and my grandchildren and now the great grands.

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #1570 on:** April 29, 2011, 12:40:05 PM »

I understand that "The Firm" which was made into a movie with Tom Cruise several years ago, is going to be made into a TV Series. I liked the movie and the book by John Grisham.

marcie · « **Reply #1571 on:** April 29, 2011, 08:13:02 PM »

That's interesting, Tomereader. I wonder if the series would closely follow the book? I liked the movie version. There is a little info about the proposed series at http://www.cnn.com/2011/SHOWBIZ/TV/04/28/the.firm.tv.series.ew/index.html

pedln · « **Reply #1572 on:** April 30, 2011, 04:01:17 PM »

Thanks for that info, Tomereader and Marcie. I think there'll be a lot of folks interested in that.

Lots of goodies coming up tomorrow night -- Another episode of The Killing on AMC, and then two new shows on PBS -- South Riding -- a three part series about a headmistress in Yorkshire, and a documentary about Irena Sendler, a Polish social-worker credited with saving over 2000 children from the Warsaw ghetto during the Holocaust.

maryz · « **Reply #1573 on:** April 30, 2011, 05:04:23 PM »

Roshandrose, the Hamish MacBeth series is available from Netflix. We LOVED the books, and have watched all the episodes on Netflix. And, we already have them back in our queue to watch them again. When we were in Scotland on an Elderhostel a few years ago, one of our stops was in the village where the series was filmed.

MaryPage · « **Reply #1574 on:** April 30, 2011, 07:44:49 PM »

I am quite addicted to The Killing. It has been interesting to me to read what the critics are saying about this 13 part film, as they all seem to be using the word addicted, as well.

pedln · « **Reply #1575 on:** April 30, 2011, 08:02:02 PM »

MaryPage, are you saying we won't know "who dunit" until the 13th episode? Oh dear, will poor Sarah Linden ever get to California?

roshanarose · « **Reply #1576 on:** April 30, 2011, 10:18:51 PM »

Maryz - Och! Aye! Was it Loch Dubh you ken?

I am not sure what Netflix is or if we have it in Australia. Strange thing about Robert Carlisle, he also makes a very convincing baddie. All round talent that lad has.

maryz · « **Reply #1577 on:** April 30, 2011, 10:24:00 PM »

Neflix is a mail-order movie rental. Order online. They have an incredible library of movies, documentaries, TV series, educational films, etc. Anyhow, here's what I found about the location of Loch Dubh..

The BBC Television series Hamish Macbeth was filmed over a large area of the North West Highlands of Scotland although most of the filming took place near the village of Plockton in Wester Ross.

Gumtree · « **Reply #1578 on:** May 01, 2011, 03:34:37 AM »

Roshanarose: Netflix - I use Bigpond DVD rentals - much the same as Netflix although not as many titles available. They're cheap enough and turn around time is excellent - We've used them for a few years and I've no real complaints -

Last night we watched Me and Orson Welles -It was OK - DH was rivetted by it - me not so much.

Babi · « **Reply #1579 on:** May 01, 2011, 08:08:49 AM »

I can't really explain it, but I'm looking forward to the end of The
Killing. Every episode seems uniformly gray...I suppose that's fairly
typical of Seattle....but I find it all depressing.

jeriron · « **Reply #1580 on:** May 01, 2011, 10:08:37 AM »

The Killing is an American remake of a Danish movie/tv show. If you've watched any Danish films you find that a lot of them are dark and dreary and slow moving.
It's supposed to be Seattle but was filmed mostly in Vancouver.

MaryPage · « **Reply #1581 on:** May 01, 2011, 02:38:31 PM »

Yes, the outside scans of a city are of Seattle, but everything with the acting is Vancover. It is just make believe that it is Seattle.

Once upon a time, sometime in the last decade, they made a movie about Annapolis and titled it "Annapolis."

It was not filmed here. Not even for a minute! Philadelphia, I think they said it was. I refused flat out to ever see it, and never have.

I find The Killing an outstanding film, and confess I googled the Danish film and spoiler and found out who done it. Easier on my nerves!

roshanarose · « **Reply #1582 on:** May 01, 2011, 11:18:47 PM »

Many Thanks MaryZ and Gumtree.

It is cooling down over there yet, Gum?

Babi · « **Reply #1583 on:** May 02, 2011, 09:32:43 AM »

That's been my experience with Scandinavian films in general, JERIRON. It
also explains why I usually don't enjoy them and tend to avoid them. I can well
believe that living in so northern a climate, with so little sun, tends to make
one melancholy. 'Dreary' is the word.

pedln · « **Reply #1584 on:** May 02, 2011, 01:20:42 PM »

Well, Babi, I just heard today that my Seattle granddaughter, a graduating HS senior, will be spending her next four years in your neck of the woods, attending Rice University. She's serious, but not dreary

, but will no doubt enjoy the change of scene.

Gumtree · « **Reply #1585 on:** May 02, 2011, 01:30:04 PM »

Quote

believe that living in so northern a climate, with so little sun, tends to make one melancholy. 'Dreary' is the word

Babi - you're so right! Just think of Ibsen

Roshanarose : yes days are a little cooler - night's too - had to unearth a cardigan this evening...

I'm not a fan of Gilbert & Sullivan but we watched the G & S movie - Topsy Turvy - almost 3 hours and it held us all the way as it did when we saw it in the theatre - interesting how they set the scene of the period with reference to electic doorbells, the telephone located within a special cupboard, death of General Gordon at Khartoum, a Japanese exhibition seen as something of an oddity ... Jim Broadbent and Timothy Spall were brilliant as was the actor who played Sir Arthur Sullivan.

maryz · « **Reply #1586 on:** May 02, 2011, 06:58:09 PM »

pedln, Congratulations to your granddaughter. John and I are both Rice alumni (classes of 1956 and '57). Neither of us are actual graduates, but we consider Rice our "official" college home. It's a gorgeous campus, and Houston is a huge, bustling city. She'll have trouble adjusting to the climate, but most folks do okay.

Babi, where is it that you live? We grew up in Houston, but left for Tennessee in 1962. (well, I just looked at your profile, and it says you're in Houston. How long have you lived there? The house I grew up is in Bellaire, almost at the corner of what is now Bellaire Blvd. and the #610 loop.)

Babi · « **Reply #1587 on:** May 03, 2011, 09:04:30 AM »

PEDLN, RICE U. has an excellent reputation. My daughter Sally graduated there.
A lovely campus, too, and close to many places of interest. It is fortunate
that your granddaughter will begin her sojourn here in the fall, tho'. It
will give her Seattle bones time to adjust to the climate change gradually.
I always feel sorry for anyone coming from up North to Texas in the summer.
They have no idea!

MARYZ, while I was born in Houston, I've mostly lived in small towns on
the edges. The best of both a big city and a small town. Deer Park, where I
am now, is on the southeast edge.

pedln · « **Reply #1588 on:** May 14, 2011, 11:23:47 AM »

My goodness, it's been a while. Where is everyone?

Have you been watching The Killing -- Sunday nights on AMC.

I've been following it and was really disappointed when I somehow goofed up the VCR recording of it last Sunday. But, low and behold,I found out by chance that they repeat the latest showing (Sunday) several times during the week, so was finally able to catch it.

I've had Wall Street Never Sleeps here from Netflilx for over a week, but have just not been in the mood for it. Has anyone seen it?

South Riding concludes tomorrow. I messed that recording up too, got it again in the middle of the night, but the tape was bad. I don't know what I'll do when my ancient VCR breaks down.

marjifay · « **Reply #1589 on:** May 14, 2011, 03:44:13 PM »

I haven't seen the film Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps with Michael Douglas, and after looking at the poor reviews on Internet Movie Data Base, I won't bother. One reviewer says
"A dull, boring excuse for a movie. I watched it for free from BB express and it wasn't even worth the time... Oliver Stone has reduced himself to trying to take a canned script, throwing in a pop star (Shia LaBeouf) and selling it for a serious movie. This joke of a movie is the pathetic result. Even from a pure entertainment value, the movie was terrible - I've seriously had more entertainment getting my tooth filled at the dentists' office."

I just watched a good Austrian film, Revanche, on Netflix. Next up on my queue is My House in Umbria with Maggie Smith.

The very best film I've watched recently was The Station Agent.

marj

MaryPage · « **Reply #1590 on:** May 14, 2011, 06:11:40 PM »

I have been watching THE KILLING. Top notch excellence.

salan · « **Reply #1591 on:** May 14, 2011, 07:02:08 PM »

I've been watching The Killing. Haven't quite made up my mind about it; but it is keeping me guessing. "Who dun it"

?
Sally

jeriron · « **Reply #1592 on:** May 15, 2011, 08:37:33 AM »

I am really enjoying "The Killing"

pedln · « **Reply #1593 on:** May 15, 2011, 12:49:07 PM »

Marjifay, I loved My House in Umbria and it's based on a book (same title) by William Trevor. Has anyone read him?

Loved the Station Agent, too. Revanche? Will have to think about that one. Whenever I say "I don't want a book/film about a (in this case) prostitute" it turns out that it is really very good.

Babi · « **Reply #1594 on:** May 15, 2011, 12:50:23 PM »

Val and I started watching 'The Killing', PEDLN, but I'm going to let her
finish without me. The whole thing has been so dreary; it seems as though
everything is filmed in shades of gray. When I realized how reluctant I was
to see the next episode, I decided there was really no need to at all.

I think VCR's are pretty inexpensive now. Can't you get one for about $20.00
or so? I could be way off, here. Valerie does most of the tech. shopping now
and we're actually pretty low tech.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #1595 on:** May 15, 2011, 02:36:33 PM »

My mother also recommended "My House in Umbria", she absolutely loved it - I was going to borrow it from the library, and at that very point the evil council stopped all of our subscriptions. As a result, their DVD borrowing revenue has plummeted. This is so typical of Aberdeen City Council that it no longer surprises us. I have not yet tried borrowing DVDs from my new library system here in Edinburgh.

Rosemary

marcie · « **Reply #1596 on:** May 15, 2011, 11:45:01 PM »

I've been watching The Killing also. I understand that it's supposed to focus on how the killing of the girl affects her family and everyone around her....the police, people who become suspects, community leaders and others in the community. It's more about how they react and how the killing impacts them than the revelation of the killer. That does make for a sad and tense atmosphere.

I'm looking forward to seeing the last episode of South Riding tonight too.

rosemarykaye · « **Reply #1597 on:** May 16, 2011, 02:26:51 AM »

Last night I watched part of the third Narnia film - Voyage of The Dawn Treader - with my daughter. She quite liked it, but even she balked at the over-use of special effects. It seems to me that the director of every children's film these days feels it essential to have protracted computer animated battle scenes, etc. I don't think the Narnia books should have been made into films!

Rosemary

Tomereader1 · « **Reply #1598 on:** May 16, 2011, 12:08:59 PM »

Marcie, I don't know how you felt about South Riding, but I must share my feelings. I saw the first episode and thought it well-acted, but kind of splintered in the telling of two stories at the same time. It was confusing to me. Unfortunately, I missed Episode 2. After last night, I was wishing I had seen it. They seemed to have flung bits and pieces of the story together, and ended it in a rush, which was not at all satisfying to me. I believe I was able, in my mind, to piece together what may have happened in Part2. But, gee whiz, for such a wonderful tale, why hack it up, then rush to a finish. Again, the acting was excellent, loved the scenery. Was this from a book? If so, I'd like to readit.

marjifay · « **Reply #1599 on:** May 16, 2011, 12:32:25 PM »

Pedln, re your hesitancy in watching REVANCHE because of the prostitute, the part about the young prostitute takes up only a small part of the movie. Alex's feelings for her, and hers for him, are very poignant.

Marj

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Author Topic: Movies & Books Into Movies (Read 591794 times)