Miscellaneous Movie Musings

[Alex]

Spielberg also has the screenplay credit for A.I.: Artificial Intelligence but I believe that is mostly a polite fiction.

I'd forgotten he wrote Poltergeist.

[Ghoulish Delight]

2. I believe CE3K remains the only film Spielberg wrote as well as directed.You're not counting Amblin' then?

According to imdb, you appear to be right. The only other thing is that he's got a screenplay credit for AI, but I've always heard he was a late addition to that one, so he probably didn't have much to do with the screenplay.

-OR-

What Alex said.

[mousepod]

And to pick up on Alex's comment, most people see Spielberg's participation in Poltergeist as similar to Orson Welles' in Journey Into Fear. In other words, he's the director in everything but title.

[wendybeth]

For anyone who wants a slightly different look at the behind-the-scenes stuff that happened while filming Close Encounters, read Julia Philips book 'You'll Never Eat Lunch In This Town Again'. Ms. Philips was one of the producers on the film and pulls no punches when describing the chaos, diva-drama and egostraphes that occured during production. Good stuff.

[Alex]

Philips book is very good for the rest of the stuff in it too. So I'll second the recommendation.

[Snowflake]

After Match Point was very excited by Scoop and hoped a Woody Allen rennaissance is underway. Unfortunately the trusted Allen fans I know who have seen it all say it is the worst he has done in a decade.

I'm hoping they're wrong.

I hope so, too. I believe I was in the minority, I came awy from Match Point with a meh, so what. Hints of Crimes and Misdemenors and not the brilliance of C&M to me. I hope Scoop is as promising as it seems to be

[Not Afraid]

I'm not sure if it is a good thing I just saw Manhattan or not.

[€uroMeinke]

If it has Scarlett Johannson, I'll be happy

[Freaky Tiki]

If it has Scarlett Johannson, I'll be happy

I just got done watching Ghost World. I love it so much.

[Alex]

I really enjoyed Match Point. It is by no means near the best of Allen (and Crimes and Misdemeanors is certainly better) but it is the best he's done in more than a decade. I'm hoping that the move to Europe frees him of his baggage (and I was pleased to get an Allen movie without an Allen character and that is definitely not true for Scoop).

But I won't be reading any reviews and I'll probably see it next Wednesday.

[Gemini Cricket]

Loved 'Manhattan'.

The other Woody Allen Films I love are:
'Bullets Over Broadway'
'Crimes and Misdemeanors'
'Annie Hall'
'Husbands and Wives'
'Hannah and Her Sisters'

The one WA film I truly haaaate:
'Shadows and Fog'

[innerSpaceman]

After not having the heart to watch his stuff for so many post-scandal years, I recently rented everything I missed.

The only bright light in the bunch, far as I was concerned, was Deconstructing Harry, which I highly recommend.


Match Point, which was the first Woody film I saw in theaters in decades, was also excellent - imo. But I have no desire to his new one, strongly rumored to be a stinker.



mousepod, thanks for that disturbing link to the Star Wars original crawl discussion. I'll finish reading it later today, but I think my decision to buy the new DVDs is finished.

What is it about 1977 scifi/fantasy films? Star Wars and Close Encounters have been altered from the versions that became megafamous ... and the versions that claim to be restorations are stinking bloody LIES.



Read my forehead - BAH

[Stan4dSteph]

I'm not a Woody fan. However, I have a feeling I will be renting "Scoop" when it comes out on DVD for the Hugh Jackman eye candy. I hear there is a scene with him getting out of a pool... :)

[Gemini Cricket]

After not having the heart to watch his stuff for so many post-scandal years, I recently rented everything I missed.
I guess I just blocked the whole ordeal out of my mind during that period of time. I went to see his films and didn't think about it. Same with Polanski.

[Not Afraid]

I need tore-see all of the Allen films again. It's been much too long. I think we only own one (Hannah and her Sisters - one of my VERY favorites), and that itself is a crime.

Interiors has always been one of my favorites. I think I could relate to the psycho family drama thing at the time. I wonder if I'd like it still?

MousePod is going through all of the Hitchcocks in order. I should do the same with Allen. That sounds like a fun "project".

[Gemini Cricket]

MousePod is going through all of the Hitchcocks in order. I should do the same with Allen. That sounds like a fun "project".
My friends and I did that with Fellini. It was very, very hard to do.

[Not Afraid]

Fellini is another good one. Maybe I'd stay awake through 8 1/2.

[Gemini Cricket]

Fellini is another good one. Maybe I'd stay awake through 8 1/2.
8 1/2's the easy one to stay up for. 'Nights of Cabiria' and 'Juliet of the Spirits' are hard. And I never, ever fall asleep during movies.

[Snowflake]

Okay, so they remade The Pink Panther with Steve Martin and it basically tanked, right? Why remake it anyway, I ask?

So now they're doing a sequel? WTF? :confused:

[Snowflake]

I need tore-see all of the Allen films again. It's been much too long. I think we only own one (Hannah and her Sisters - one of my VERY favorites), and that itself is a crime.

Interiors has always been one of my favorites. I think I could relate to the psycho family drama thing at the time. I wonder if I'd like it still?

MousePod is going through all of the Hitchcocks in order. I should do the same with Allen. That sounds like a fun "project".

Both worthy projects! Many great WA flicks, some no so. Manhattan, Crimes and Misdemenors and I do love his nostalgic comedies, Radio Days is a fav.

I love all Hitchcock films, and even Family Plot holds a special place in my heart. But going through them in chronoligical order, great idea!

Don't think I could that with Altman films, though.

[Snowflake]

Loved 'Manhattan'.

The other Woody Allen Films I love are:
'Bullets Over Broadway'
'Crimes and Misdemeanors'
'Annie Hall'
'Husbands and Wives'
'Hannah and Her Sisters'

The one WA film I truly haaaate:
'Shadows and Fog'

Add Radio Days and Play it Again Sam and I had a very soft spot for Manhattan Murder Mystery. I confess, it's the fils from the last 5 years that I have sort of let slip by without seeing, until Match Point (which was a disspointment to me). Looking forward to Scoop this weekend.

I've never been able to sit through Shadows & Fog

[Gemini Cricket]

Manhattan Murder Mystery
That's a good one, too. Very funny.

The only Altman films I can watch over and over again are 'M*A*S*H' and 'Gosford Park'. I could barely sit through 'Short Cuts' the first time I saw it... (It's not short and nothing is cut.) :D

'The Pink Panther 2'? Ugh.

[mousepod]

Don't think I could that with Altman films, though.

The Altman chronology might be fun - but I'd restrict it to the '68-'88 period...

[Ghoulish Delight]

The Altman chronology might be fun - but I'd restrict it to the '68-'88 period...
And miss The Player?

[mousepod]

And miss The Player?

That's a tough one... I love The Player, but Vincent & Theo is so painful..

[Alex]

If I watched Robert Altman in chronilogical order I'd have to only do the following time periods:

1970-1974
2001-2001

Obviously, since California Split, he hasn't done much that appeals to me. I've yet to successfully sit all the way through Nashville despite many attempts to do so.

[mousepod]

I hear ya, Alex. But what about Secret Honor?

[Gemini Cricket]

I hear ya, Alex. But what about Secret Honor?
At first I thought that said Scout's Honor. And I was trying to picture Alex viewing that Gary Coleman Boy Scout movie...
:D

[Alex]

Havent seen that one yet. I like Philip Baker Hall but must admit that just the idea of watching one person do a Nixon impersonation for 90 minutes wears me out.

[SzczerbiakManiac]

Love and Death is my favorite Woody Allen film. Followed closely by Annie Hall.


corrected spelling

[mousepod]

Long and Death is my favorite Woody Allen film. Followed closely by Annie Hall.

Freudian typo, SM? It's Love and Death.

[Gemini Cricket]

Freudian typo, SM? It's Love and Death.
Maybe it isn't. I hear one of his other favorite films is Edward Penishands...
:D

[Prudence]

I'm not sure I've ever actually seen a Woody Allen movie.

[Freaky Tiki]

I saw one...don't remember what it was, who was in it, or why I watched it.

I just know I saw one.

[Matterhorn Fan]

I liked "What's Up Tiger Lily," but it's been a long time since I've seen it.

[Not Afraid]

I think I will quit housecleaning and watch Suddenly Last Summer for the 45th time.

[JWBear]

I think I will quit housecleaning and watch Suddenly Last Summer for the 45th time.
<Snicker>

[Gemini Cricket]

Holy cow. 'Mother, Jugs and Speed' the Fox Movie Channel right now. That was one of those bad movies I wasn't allowed to watch as a kid!
:D I haven't seen it since I was a kid.

[mousepod]

Holy cow. 'Mother, Jugs and Speed' the Fox Movie Channel right now. That was one of those bad movies I wasn't allowed to watch as a kid!
:D I haven't seen it since I was a kid.

Worth watching. Got it in the Raquel Welch box - along with Myra Breckenridge and the short cut of One Million Years B.C. grrrr. What other movie has Harvey Keitel and Bill Cosby? No other movie!

[Not Afraid]

Now, there's some "six degrees of separation" information that may come indy some day.

[Alex]

Just watched The Cotton Club (1984).

Personally, I generally find Richard Gere pretty annoying and that is true here as well. At least it is tempered by being more of an ensemble piece. I can't say that the movie has immediately latched on to my psyche but it has some of the elements that may dig in there as time goes on.

However, it contains one of the best little character scenes I've seen in a long time. Right after Fred Gwyne (best known as Herman Munster) is released from his kidnapping and gets back to Bob Hoskins office. That little scene is so masterfully done with the dialog and the acting. I don't know what they teach in acting classes but that should be required viewing. A two minute bit completely expains the characters.

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

In the Mood for Love.

Pretty, pretty, lovely, lovely, sad, sad, sad.

[Alex]

The Color Purple

Wow, that's one that redeemed itself. I almost gave up on it about a third of the way through. Another great scene in the periphery of the movie when Shug makes good with her father.

That's also two movies in a row with "Larry" Fishburne in minor parts. He certainly was a handsome man before he started getting all jowly.

[Gemini Cricket]

The Color Purple

I love this pic, although I would have loved to see an African American director at the helm. But it is a good flick. It has some of the best scene transitions in it.
The scene where Mister is separating the sisters is a tear-fest for me. Very, very sad.

I don't know if you noticed but Oprah couldn't help looking into the camera in one scene. She's obssessed with that.

[scaeagles]

I love my kids. I like being a dad. I hate being a dad when a stupid kids movie comes out.

I took them the see The Barnyard this afternoon. Because they wanted to.

It was a 15 minute cartoon with 60 minutes of music videos thrown in as filler.

$23 and 1.5 hours of my life I will never have back.

[Alex]

Any explanation for male udders?

[scaeagles]

I just tried to pretend I didn't notice.

[Not Afraid]

That's udderly unacceptable!



Sorry. I just got off the phone with the punmaster.

[scaeagles]

The movie is udderly unacceptable. And I'm not even a picky movie goer.

[innerSpaceman]

From what I saw from the previews stuffed down my face before Cars, male udders were the least of this film's problems. I've never before been made so pre-aware of a film release by its anticipated suckitude.

[Freaky Tiki]

I just saw Talladega Nights...

though it wasn't the best thing since sliced Wonderbread (get it? He's sponsored by Wonderbread!! Ha!) I accepted it for what it was, and took it in as my own.

If you like Anchorman, you'll enjoy it.

[RStar]

Marcello, wearing only a tiger skin, crawling around on the floor, demanding "Tame me!" to a whip-bearing Sydne Rome.

Marcello taking an almost-naked Sydne to an empty beach, where he digs up a buried chest, out of which he takes a policeman's uniform. He cuffs her wrists and ankles together and "interrogates" her with a switch.

That's not to mention scenes like a couple who make love under a furry blanket shouting "Take it!" "Give it!" "Take it!" "Give it!" ad nauseum.

A very odd movie.

Did I mention that Polanski plays a character called Mosquito?

...and according to the New York Times review:

Oh, well, okay. Sounds interesting! But, leave the pigs out of it please....

[Ghoulish Delight]

If you like Anchorman, you'll enjoy it.What if I thoughht Anchorman was just kinda okay, quite annoying in parts.

[Freaky Tiki]

What if I thoughht Anchorman was just kinda okay, quite annoying in parts.
Chances are you'll find Talladega Nights to be just kinda okay, but quite annoying in parts. The styles are exactly the same. Though I think Anchorman did a better job of presenting itself.

Talladega just jumps around a lot and it feels as though you are watching a montage rather than an actual movie. I knew not to expect some complex dramatic masterpiece, but the movie seemed to go out of its way to avoid in subplots. There were parts that had the potential to be very touching scenes, but they chose the slapstick option instead persuing the emotion.

[Gemini Cricket]

'Angels with Dirty Faces' is such a good movie. The actor they found to play a young Cagney was absolutely perfect. The Dead End Kids were awesome, too.

'Taps' - Haven't seen this one in ages. Love Timothy Hutton.

[scaeagles]

I watched First Blood last night when I couldn't sleep. I love that movie.

[CoasterMatt]

Hey, I watched some of that too!

[scaeagles]

I think it was on Spike or TNT maybe? Don't recall. It's one of the only Stallone movies I like.

[RStar]

I saw some of it too, and it was my first time. Not bad, actually. I liked how Stalone had a bit of humor, those are the parts I like to see him in. The jail break part was good, and the part with his partner and his sister on the couch!:D

I just got back from the movies at DTD. Saw Night Listener. Not that good. I wouldn't call it a Hitckocian thriller at all like some have. In fact it is was a plot I've seen on CSI (they claim this was based on real events from 14 years ago, so CSI was based on this, if they are at all connected). The end was a bit of a let down as well. It had the feeling of Good Will Hunting, but a lot less interesting. The woman is a little weird, but that's the extent of the "thriller" part.

I don't want to spoil anything for anyone so it's in spoiler tags. But beware, I give away most of the ending of the movie here. Only look if you don't plan to see it, or don't mind knowing.

They deliberatly misslead you at the begining, and then at the end you keep thinking Robin Williams will find this kid, but he doesn't. While this is the truth, it still makes a weak ending.

[scaeagles]

I saw some of it too, and it was my first time. Not bad, actually. I liked how Stalone had a bit of humor, those are the parts I like to see him in. The jail break part was good, and the part with his partner and his sister on the couch!

Ummm...I don't think that's First Blood. Not much funny with Stallone in First Blood. First Blood is about a Vietnam vet green beret Congressional Medal of Honor winner, home and drifting in Oregon, gets pushed around by the cops and goes commando on them. He escapes into the forest, they try to hunt him down, and he pretty much injures everyone after him and destroys the whole town. His former commander comes and gets him to stop.

When his former commander first communicates with him via radio, Stallone tells him "They drew first blood, not me", thus the title.

[CoasterMatt]

I just finished watching 'The Shining' in HD - absolutely wonderful.

Up next? A Clockwork Orange (I love HDMV) I think I'll go drink some milk

[katiesue]

I'm watching The Carebears - Big Wish Movie.

Again - woo hooooo

[wendybeth]

I'm watching The Carebears - Big Wish Movie.

Again - woo hooooo


Ouch.

We just watched Sabrina in Rome- that was bad enough, but I'm feeling pretty darned privileged now.

[katiesue]

We watched Sabrina in Rome last night.

[wendybeth]

You know, I'm getting worried. I actually kind of like Phil of the Future. I need to get out once in a while.

[scaeagles]

It's the best of those shows. Some of them kill brain cells, but that one actually can make me laugh.

[katiesue]

I do quite like Phil of the Future, but Unfabulous is my favorite.

[wendybeth]

It's the best of those shows. Some of them kill brain cells, but that one actually can make me laugh.

I love Pim! She is so unashamedly evil. Curtis is fun, too.


Scaeagles, the Girl and I were watching Kim Possible the other night and when Ron said "Booyah", I thought of you. Sort of in a random, 'oh, yeah- that's where he gets that from' way, but now I think of you as a freckle-faced hapless sidekick with a naked mole rat in your pocket. I may need therapy.

[wendybeth]

I do quite like Phil of the Future, but Unfabulous is my favorite.

That's the one with Emma Roberts, right? She's very cute, but her singing gets on my nerves.

[Alex]

I just got back from the movies at DTD. Saw Night Listener. Not that good.

I saw it a couple weeks ago and definitely not good.

What the movie is based on is a telephone relationsihp Amistead Maupin had with a teenager way back when and then it turned out they couldn't confirm the kids existence. Most of the stuff in the movie is just an extension of that but not based on any real events.

The CSI episode (and a similar Law & Order episode) is most likely based on the Kaycee Nicole scam a few years ago in which a woman posed online as a teenager dieing of cancer. Blogged the whole thing, got a lot of support, both emotional and financial.

Shortly after her death it came to light that Kaycee Nicole never existed.

[Gemini Cricket]

'To Kill a Mockingbird'
What a great film. Gregory Peck is amazing. Powerful flick.
:)

[Snowflake]

'To Kill a Mockingbird'
What a great film. Gregory Peck is amazing. Powerful flick.
:)

Hear Hear! Peck is Atticus Finch.

[scaeagles]

I think of you as a freckle-faced hapless sidekick with a naked mole rat in your pocket. I may need therapy.

I'm more along the lines of a Draken. Except I'm not blue.

Actually, my hero is Plankton from Spongebob. I hope to be like him some day.

[katiesue]

Actually, my hero is Plankton from Spongebob. I hope to be like him some day.

Somehow this does seem to fit you.:D

[RStar]

I saw it a couple weeks ago and definitely not good.

What the movie is based on is a telephone relationsihp Amistead Maupin had with a teenager way back when and then it turned out they couldn't confirm the kids existence. Most of the stuff in the movie is just an extension of that but not based on any real events.

The CSI episode (and a similar Law & Order episode) is most likely based on the Kaycee Nicole scam a few years ago in which a woman posed online as a teenager dieing of cancer. Blogged the whole thing, got a lot of support, both emotional and financial.

Shortly after her death it came to light that Kaycee Nicole never existed. Thanks Alex!
Yes, the show I saw was a teenage girl. It may have been Law & Order, I don't recall. And it was on the internet and phone calls. She was about to get a big life insurance check when they found she wasn't real. Whichever show that was.

Strange how much emotional support these people can get from strangers who never even meet them. They will do anything to protect them in some cases.

[wendybeth]

Whew! Thanks, Scaeagles- I can totally see you as Plankton!

I like Patrick.:D

[RStar]

I saw some of it too, and it was my first time. Not bad, actually. I liked how Stalone had a bit of humor, those are the parts I like to see him in. The jail break part was good, and the part with his partner and his sister on the couch!:D

Oops, sorry. That was Tango And Cash. My bad.

[Gemini Cricket]

I think 'Kim Possible' is the only good show on the Disney Channel...
:)

[Alex]

She was about to get a big life insurance check when they found she wasn't real. Whichever show that was.

Strange how much emotional support these people can get from strangers who never even meet them. They will do anything to protect them in some cases.

That was the Law & Order episode then and definitely inspired by the Kaycee Nicole incident.

I was only on the fringe of Kaycee but in my too many long years in online communities I've seen it on a smaller scale so many times. If you ever want to express doubt about someones story you might as well save it unless you have absolute proof because until then you are just a cruel heartless bastard.

Some of you here are also familiar with SDMB so are familiar with the debate over whether Wally ever existed, and if he did whether he really died.

[Gemini Cricket]

'I'm Gonna Git You Sucka'
Hysterical.
:)

[CoasterMatt]

My toe hurts, just thinking of that one, GC :)

[Prudence]

Finally saw Batman Begins. On the whole I liked it. I didn't dislike Ms. TomKat as much as most seemed to. And the Dr. Rocked. Loved him.

I know it's supposed to be part of the character, but by the end of the movie I was thoroughly fed up with the whisper growl from the batman.

The story wasn't bad. I prefer superhero movies that are based on plausible technology, rather than mutant powers or radioactive spiders. So that was a plus. Wasn't buying the whole Shadow fraternity destroying civilizations thing, though. That just seemed stretched and bothered me, particularly since I think it was unnecessary.

Oh, and no one delivers a sarcastic line like Morgan Freeman.

Different worlds moment: when Liam Neeson hit the screen I said, "Hey, is that..." and BT's answer was "yeah, Qui-Gon Jinn" when my thought had been Rob Roy.

[Alex]

Batman Begins was almost ruined for me by the technology in question and the overlooked, obvious, gaping flaw in how it worked.

But in the end I was able to overlook that and like it anyway.

[mousepod]

Oh, and no one delivers a sarcastic line like Morgan Freeman.

Then you really need to see Lucky Number Slevin. He plays The Boss.

Slevin: Anything else you want to tell me?
The Boss: I suppose I don't need to say anything as terribly cliche as "go to the police and you're a dead man".
Slevin: I think you just did.
The Boss: I guess I did.

[RStar]

That was the Law & Order episode then and definitely inspired by the Kaycee Nicole incident.

I was only on the fringe of Kaycee but in my too many long years in online communities I've seen it on a smaller scale so many times. If you ever want to express doubt about someones story you might as well save it unless you have absolute proof because until then you are just a cruel heartless bastard.

Some of you here are also familiar with SDMB so are familiar with the debate over whether Wally ever existed, and if he did whether he really died.
That's what I thought. The more I tried to picture the detectives in the story, the more I came up with those faces. I watch both CSI and Law & Order little enough to not be sure. I'm more of a Sci-Fi guy when it comes to TV. That and Smallville, Supernatural, and Whose Line. And, of course Star Trek.

[Prudence]

Batman Begins was almost ruined for me by the technology in question and the overlooked, obvious, gaping flaw in how it worked.

But in the end I was able to overlook that and like it anyway.

For me, it's easier for me to overlook any sort of pseudo technology than the other things I listed. Must have been the steady childhood diet of Star Trek.

[€uroMeinke]

Just saw Dr. Caliari (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0097228/)- no not that one, the 1989 version. It will definately be in the queue for the next movies till dawn extravaganza - Monotone actors delivering bizare lines choreographed like Abba impersenators, Canibalism, transvesitism, brain fluid transfers, giant tongues, sheep trotters, and auto-eroticism. Not sure what I can compare this film too, maybe the more abstract portion of early Lynch?

Thank you MousePod.

[mousepod]

Happy to share it, €uro.

Chinchilla, chinchilla, chinchilla.

[Gemini Cricket]

Sunday was definitely movie day. While I folded laundry and worked on some other things I watched:

'To Kill a Mockingbird'
'I'm Gonna Git You Sucka'
'Mildred Pierce'
'Oliver'

Saturday it was:
'Taps'
'Angels with Dirty Faces'

:) It was a good weekend.

[RStar]

Happy to share it, €uro.

Chinchilla, chinchilla, chinchilla.

You mean "Chinchilla, chinchilla, chin chin cheree!"

[Stan4dSteph]

I finally saw Pirates 2!

[Gemini Cricket]

Sunday was definitely movie day. While I folded laundry and worked on some other things I watched:

'To Kill a Mockingbird'
'I'm Gonna Git You Sucka'
'Mildred Pierce'
'Oliver'

Saturday it was:
'Taps'
'Angels with Dirty Faces'

:) It was a good weekend.

I forgot to also add that I watched 'The Godfather' last night...

Yeah, I'm a loser.
:D

[Nephythys]

so....
I got Suddenly Last Summer through NetFlix thanks to comments on LoT.

Guess I know where to come for movie suggestions.

[mousepod]

GC - You're the good kind of loser, as far as I'm concerned.

I'm still on my Hitchcock kick - watched Rear Window this weekend. Next up: To Catch A Thief. I'm also going to be watching the TV shows he directed (just got a 5 DVD set from Amazon France that has all 17 episodes of 'Alfred Hitchcock Presents' he directed plus the single episodes of 'Suspicion,' 'Ford Startime,' and 'The Alfred Hitchcock Hour') over the next few days as well.

I guess I'm a loser too.

[Gemini Cricket]

Ooh! Ooh! Mr. Kotter! I love 'Rear Window'! It's my favorite Hitchcock film. I don't know why I don't own it. Grace Kelly is beautiful in this one.
:)

[Capt Jack]

I finally saw Pirates 2!

:blush: :(

sad and embarassed to say, I have not.

[mousepod]

Ooh! Ooh! Mr. Kotter! I love 'Rear Window'! It's my favorite Hitchcock film. I don't know why I don't own it. Grace Kelly is beautiful in this one.
:)

http://faculty.cua.edu/johnsong/hitchcock/images/stills/rearwindow/kelly-intro-4.jpg

[Gemini Cricket]

http://faculty.cua.edu/johnsong/hitchcock/images/stills/rearwindow/kelly-intro-4.jpg

Yep. Gorgeous. Sigh...
Princesses should not ride in cars. Ever.

[SzczerbiakManiac]

Batman Begins was almost ruined for me by the technology in question and the overlooked, obvious, gaping flaw in how it worked.Which tech/flaw in particular were you thinking of?

I saw (for the first time) Donnie Darko last week. Interesting flick. I'd like to see it again and then again with a director's commentary. I saw it on cable, so a commentary wasn't an option.

[Alex]

It is essentially a microwave gun and boils the water in the sewers but apparently has no effect all all the other water between it and the sewers, particularly the other people and also ignoring the large amounts of metal between the microwave and the targetted water.

Also causing problems is the fact that the chemical had been in the water for quite a while and wasn't causing an epidemic of craziness from people taking hot showers and such. Most people will inhale vaporized city water once a day, if not more.

If it had been a movie in the mold of the previous Batman movies (or especially the TV show) I wouldn't have minded at all, but this one took things more seriously so such obvious problems bothered me more. Not enough to ruin the movie, though.

[scaeagles]

With me what made Batman Begins so good was that how he became Batman was so believable. I've never bought into radioactive spiders mutating someone (though I like the Spiderman movies just fine).

Battling superevil bad guys in superhero movies is never very realistic, so I don't really think about what's happening too much.

[Ghoulish Delight]

With me what made Batman Begins so good was that how he became Batman was so believable. I've never bought into radioactive spiders mutating someone (though I like the Spiderman movies just fine). There was virtually no way I could dislike this movie. It involved my 2 favorite Batman storylines/villains: R'as Al Gul and The Scarecrow. And the implication that the Scarecrow will figure prominantly in at least the next installment makes me happy. It was an added bonus that it was a relatively well put together movie.

I didn't have a problem with the voodoo technology, but the chick making it into the quarantined area so easily kinda bugged.

[Not Afraid]

Ooh! Grace Kelly is beautiful in this one.
:)

As opposed to all of those other movies where she is horrendously ugly. ;)

[Prudence]

Just watched Bend it like Beckham. (Vacation = catching up on my movie watching.)

It was great. Or, perhaps I should say brilliant.

I wish I could be more descriptive and analytical but right now I'm still basking in this "that was such an excellent movie" glow and I can't really manage that.

[wendybeth]

Just watched Bend it like Beckham. (Vacation = catching up on my movie watching.)

It was great. Or, perhaps I should say brilliant.

I wish I could be more descriptive and analytical but right now I'm still basking in this "that was such an excellent movie" glow and I can't really manage that.

I love that movie! Isn't the Indian music great?

[Not Afraid]

I love that movie! Isn't the Indian music great?

The soundtrack is wonderful! It features a couple of songs by the great Indian (but lives in London) DJ, Bally Sagoo as well as Packstani artist Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Punjabi singer Malkit Singh. Good stuff all around. I recommend all of the artists on the soundtrak with the exception of Victoria Beckham. I especally LOVE Bally Sagoo.

[Gemini Cricket]

I like 'Jaan Pehechaan Ho' from 'Ghost World'. It's groovy.

A friend also got me hooked on 'Maahi Vei' from the film 'Kal Ho Naa Ho'.

:)

[Freaky Tiki]

I like 'Jaan Pehechaan Ho' from 'Ghost World'. It's groovy.

A friend also got me hooked on 'Maahi Vei' from the film 'Kal Ho Naa Ho'.

:)

I LOVE Ghost World! Great soundtrack to that film.

I really do like Devil Got My Woman.

[€uroMeinke]

We watched the Last Wave tonight- hadn't seen it in years, but wow it was an interesting reminder of what Peter Wier was doing before he came to Hollywood. Seeing it again I see where David Lynch picked up some of his ability to make the ordinary distrubing.

[RStar]

Yep. Gorgeous. Sigh...
Princesses should not ride in cars. Ever.

Yes, Alfred did have a thing for blond bombshells!

[Gemini Cricket]

Yes, Alfred did have a thing for blond bombshells!
Bad things seem to happen to them, too.

Although there was Suzanne Pleshett in 'The Birds'. She was a brunette...

:D

[mousepod]

Yep. Gorgeous. Sigh...
Princesses should not ride in cars. Ever.

Too creepy. Last night's film was To Catch A Thief. The road where Francie (Grace Kelly) outruns the police in a wild chase is the same road where Princess Grace actually had her fatal accident.

[Matterhorn Fan]

I went DVD shopping today. I probably should have watched the stuff I own that I haven't seen yet, but why would I do something like that?

[Gemini Cricket]

Everytime I see the trailer for 'World Trade Center' I cringe. Not because of the subject matter, but just seeing Nicholas Cage does that to me. Ugh.

[katiesue]

Everytime I see the trailer for 'World Trade Center' I cringe. Not because of the subject matter, but just seeing Nicholas Cage does that to me. Ugh.

I agree, he hasn't aged very well.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

I like Nick Cage, even though I never found him attractive. That mustache he's sporting for WTC is definitely cringe-worthy though!

I think I'd see Flight 93 before I'd see the WTC movie.

[Freaky Tiki]

I liked Nicholas Cage in The Weatherman, that was a good movie.

[innerSpaceman]

Hmmm, I hated that movie (though I admired what I think it was trying to say). That's when I knew that Pirates 2 would suck, and Gore Verbinski had only one good film in him.

I like Nicolas Cage in almost everything he's been in. Oooh, what's that one where he's the ambulance driver? Haven't seen it and should Netflix it.

I didnt' care for nasty trash like Con Air, but surprisingly enjoyed fluffy trash like National Treasure. I would be seeing World Trade Center whether he was in it or not, so having an actor that I've enjoyed all but one performance of his does nothing but add to the attraction of the film for me.


Oh, and what's that one where he's the arms dealer? Gosh, that was a great movie, out in theaters for all of two seconds and well worth a Netflix rent that I am hereby highly recommending (but you have to come up with the title yourself - - Dogs of War, Lords of War, something like that).

[Snowflake]

I LOVE books and I LOVE movies. Just revisted a wonderful film about books and love of books, 84 Charing Cross Road. I hate pan and scan, but this film is so intimate, it's okay, I dealt with it.

A nice script, no, a beautiful script and wonderful performances and I had forgotten Judi Dench was in it! Adore Antony Hopkins and Anne Bancroft.

If you've not seen it, do rent it via Netflix, it's a lovely film.:D

[RStar]

Everytime I see the trailer for 'World Trade Center' I cringe.
I'm riding the fence on these. Does anyone else think we shouldn't capitalize on this subject? Or are we just putting it on film to remember for future generations? The movies seem to be more "hero" oriented, and remembering those people is cool and all. I'm just having a hard time deciding weather it's right or not, and weather I'll see them.

[innerSpaceman]

Capitalize? Remember? I don't see what any of that's got to do with it. It is simply one of the most dramatic and historic moments - - and as such, perfectly legitimate inspiration for storytelling ... whether or not money is made from the telling.

United 93, in particular, used most of the actual living persons to play themselves - thus arguing very strongly for that story being told while such casting was still possible.

But I don't think that touch of uber-honesty is necessary to "allow" for a story to be told of events so naturally dramatic. If the technology existed for James Cameron to make Titanic in 1919, would it have been too soon?

[Matterhorn Fan]

I'm riding the fence on these. Does anyone else think we shouldn't capitalize on this subject? Or are we just putting it on film to remember for future generations?There's a documentary called "9-11" that fits the "put onto film to remember for future generations" category. It's very well done, but I found it very difficult to watch.

I don't know enough about this new movie to know whether this is crossing a line or not, but if Nick Cage is reenacting, that seems a little hokey to me (esp. given that there is already a lot of genuine footage). If he's a fictional character inserted into the events in a historical fiction kinda way, well, I think it's too soon for that, and that might count as "capitalizing."

[Ghoulish Delight]

Steve, the ambulance movie is Bringing Out the Dead, and we loved it.

[Matterhorn Fan]

Did they obnoxiously quote Monty Python anywhere in that one?

[Ghoulish Delight]

Did they obnoxiously quote Monty Python anywhere in that one?
No. Despite the very familiar title, I don't recall them referencing it in the movie.

[Prudence]

Tonight we watched The Producers - the recent version.

I really really really wanted to like it. Really. I like many of the people who are in it. The plot sounds very funny, and usually I'm fairly fond of award-winning musicals.

But, I kind of didn't. I didn't hate it, but if someone else was watching it I'd probably leave the room.

I periodically stopped paying attention during the musical numbers, which is so not like me. I didn't buy Nathan Lane in the lead, which was a little bit of a shock. I think I've seen so much of him doing sort of his stock personna that it's now hard for me to forget that it's him in the role and see the character. And there was a whole lot of "now what was s/he in?" during the movie that was a bit distracting.

It just seemed to be one set-up after another with some very boring filler in between. Which isn't really a good musical in my book.

[Ghoulish Delight]

See, Prudence's description is exactly how I feared I'd view it, based on the advertising I saw. I'm glad I haven't seen it.

I was pleasantly surprised that Jason Alexander managed to get me past the "Great, Jason Alexander's doing his schtick again" trap on stage. He really made the character his own, doing neither a Zero Mostel inpersonation (heavily inspired, obviously, but not imitated) nor George.

[Gemini Cricket]

I think I know why Cage made me cringe in the trailer. It's because he's a big movie star type. It ruins my suspension of disbelief to see him in this role. If the movie starred actors that weren't easily recognized, like Pena, then it would work better for me. Cage takes me out of the situation at hand. (Like product placement does...)


I like Cage in the following movies:
'Raising Arizona'
'Moonstruck'
'Honeymoon in Vegas'
'Valley Girl'
and maybe 'Leaving Las Vegas'
:)

[innerSpaceman]

Yeah, but you can't always have unknowns. I agree it works better in many situations, but you'd have to have a fresh supply of unknows for every single movie.


Did the same apply with oldtime studio fare? Does the presence of bona-fide movie stars in every single film make it impossible for you to escape into the story?

It doesn't work that way with me. To each his own, but I won't hold today's films to a standard that I never held yesterday's to.

[Gemini Cricket]

Yeah, but you can't always have unknowns. I agree it works better in many situations, but you'd have to have a fresh supply of unknows for every single movie.
Unknowns have to start somewhere. Before you're discovered you're an unknown. And I don't mean every single movie. I'm talking about historical films like this one. The credibility seems to go when you cast Ben Affleck in a film about Pearl Harbor.
Did the same apply with oldtime studio fare? Does the presence of bona-fide movie stars in every single film make it impossible for you to escape into the story?
Nope. It depends on the movie. ie. It was hard for me to buy Bette Davis as Queen Elizabeth I. I think it depends on the degree of stardom. I'd cringe if Angelina Jolie dyed her hair blonde and tried to play Princess Diana in a film about her death. It would be too distracting. You wouldn't see Princess Di, you'd see Jolie with a dye job.

Cage is an A-List star. The movie wants to come across as being historically accurate. Seeing Cage removes you from that accuracy.

[tracilicious]

Speaking of Cage, we just saw The Weatherman. We loved it. Hilariously dry, with just a touch of slapstick. Michael Caine was brilliant in it.

I also loved Cage in The Family Man. Hated him in Face Off.

[innerSpaceman]

Eh, I take historical dramas case-by-case. In another dramatic disaster re-telling, I totally bought Kate Winslet as a Titanic passenger, but Leo DiCaprio kept bringing me right back to the present.

I'll have to see what Nick Cage does to me, playing an actual person (albeit one who is not famously recognizable). I'm not sure, in fact, if the "stunt" casting in United 93 of having the actual people play themselves wasn't too far in the other direction, and distracting in its own way.

I usually don't have trouble with people playing Abraham Lincoln or Queen Elizabeth. Perhaps someone who lived in media times might be more difficult to convincingly portray, but I don't know either of these Port Authority cops in World Trade Center from Adam, so I really don't see how I can't buy an actor, even a very famous actor, in the role.

I'll let you know in a couple of days, though. From what I'm hearing, the presense of Nicholas Cage is hardly the big problem with this movie.

[Alex]

Watched two movies yesterday: Lost in America and The Falcon and the Snowman.

I must admit to a small filmmaking fetish. No matter how bad a movie otherwise is, if it does one small thing right I'll always have a soft spot for it. And that thing is perfectly capturing the way married people (or a couple that has been together for a long time) fight. The way something starts with "could you please close the dryer door when you empty it?" a few minutes later has turned into an all out verbal brawl that slowly subsides and flares up again and what is said is never what it is about.

Lots of films try to capture this and, in my opinion, most of them fail. The cadence is off. But every once in a while I'm watching a movie and halfway through such a scene I realize that the screenwriter and the director nailed it perfectly. As an example, consider The Real Blonde, a small indie film starring Matt Modine and Catherine Keener from back in the mid-90s. I have zero recall as to what this movie was about, what its story was. Anything at all except that halfway through Modine and Keener have a "couple's fight" that was perhaps the best I've ever seen.

This was the first time I've seen Lost in America since high school. I found it funny then and have always been a huge Albert Brooks fan. Well, let me just say that from my current perspective it is all the more brilliant. The argument between Brooks and Julie Hagerty at Hoover Dam is near perfection. It plays more comedically but it has the cadence perfectly as well as the ebb and flow.

Glad I watched it again.

I was "meh" on The Falcon and the Snowman the story of a kid who ends up working with classified information at a sattelite communications company in 1974 and decides to start selling the information to the Russians. It was ok but nothing particularly interesting and it proved that Sean Penn was just as annoying 20 years ago as he is today.

Looking up the real story after watching it I was disappointed (but not surprised) that the movie whitewashed much of the guy's motivations and cleaned up his capture to make him look much more noble. Also, once I did that I realized I knew someone who had connections to the company in question at the time in question. So I was able to have an interesting conversation with someone on the fringe of the incident.

[katiesue]

Flash Gordon (1980)

Love this movie. I know it's total crap but still love it. Queen soundtrack, bad special effects, questionable plot, ahh the costumes. Brings back memories of 8th grade. I thought Sam J. Jones was just the hottest ever.

In watching last night I decided I need one of Ming's orgasm ring thingies. This didn't really occur to me in 8th grade.

[Gemini Cricket]

I thought Sam J. Jones was just the hottest ever.
So, did I.
"Why do I like this movie so much?" Young GC asked himself at age 9.
:D

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Saw Midnight Cowboy for the first time last night. Great 60's stuff, Hoffman is amazing, fun with dream sequences and jump cuts.

When the bus pulls into Florida and Joe buys the fresh, light, easy-wear clothing, and everything is sunshine and suburbs, I am again resolved to never live anywhere that's anything like New York City. <shudder> I think being a bum in NYC has got to be a high-ranking hellish life. It's bad enough enduring the weather when you've got a warm home to go to.

[Prudence]

I finally watched My Big Fat Greek Wedding last night. I realize I was the only female on the planet who had never seen it.

Yeah, I liked it. I mean, it's not an amazing bit of cinematography, and I spent way too long wondering which boy band that cousin belonged to, but I'd watch it again.

It was nice. Totally insubstantial, but exactly what I want in a romantic comedy. Just easy to watch. Enough cliche that I could relate to the main character, not so much that I felt like I'd seen that exact movie a gazillion times.

[Not Afraid]

We watched DOA the other night. We recently bought a film noir collection - mainly because it included Detour - but we started with DOA. This was a fine little film with an interesting premis:

I want to report a murder
Who was murdered?
Me.

There are other noir films that that enjoyed more, but this was certainly a good one.

[Matterhorn Fan]

I finally watched My Big Fat Greek Wedding last night. I realize I was the only female on the planet who had never seen it.You were not. I haven't seen that, and never had any desire to.

[Ghoulish Delight]

It was nice. Totally insubstantial, but exactly what I want in a romantic comedy. Just easy to watch. Enough cliche that I could relate to the main character, not so much that I felt like I'd seen that exact movie a gazillion times.Curious, not knowing your background, but were you raised in any sort of "ethnic" environment (yeah, I know, it's an il-defined question...but I think y'all get my meaning)? In general, that movie gets a lot more laughs from people who grew up in America in some sort of non-Protestant, lived here for generations family. Or at least grew up with good friends who did. The specifics may be different, but there is so much common ground, whether you're Greek, Jewish, Italian, etc. I know that so much of it had me rolling, simply because I recognized so much of my Jewish family in it.

[Prudence]

Curious, not knowing your background, but were you raised in any sort of "ethnic" environment (yeah, I know, it's an il-defined question...but I think y'all get my meaning)? In general, that movie gets a lot more laughs from people who grew up in America in some sort of non-Protestant, lived here for generations family. Or at least grew up with good friends who did. The specifics may be different, but there is so much common ground, whether you're Greek, Jewish, Italian, etc. I know that so much of it had me rolling, simply because I recognized so much of my Jewish family in it.

Does midwestern count as ethnic? Because it should around here. No, I don't think that "Swiss Immigrant" qualifies as ethnic as you mean it. However, my family (and my best friends' family) was the odd one when I was growing up. My mom wanted to dress me like it was 1965. I wasn't allowed to do any of the usual social events. "Dates" consisted of sitting on the couch under parental supervision - and each butt had to be on a separate cushion. We're not as loud, but if we're in central Iowa I'm probably related to every other person who walks by, and my dad could tell you exactly how. He has something like 40 first cousins, so her 27 is small potatoes. My grandmother would regularly hold family reunions on the Farm with hundreds in attendance. The local paper printed a blurb whenever we visited. It is a definite kind of life, although not what people of think of when they say "ethnic".

[SzczerbiakManiac]

Flash Gordon (1980)

Love this movie. I know it's total crap but still love it....ahh the costumes.Yes! Frelling awesome costumes! I love the bugle bead work on Ming's cape collar thing! It actually inspired me to try my hand at some bead work.I thought Sam J. Jones was just the hottest ever.Two words: prison speedo!
[drool]

[Alex]

Saw Scoop tonight.

It isn't bad but it isn't all that remarkable either. Johannsen overplays it a bit in a few scenes but looks really nice in her red swimsuit. Woody Allen is Woody Allen which is a bit like going and seeing the Tim Conway show in Vegas. Sure, it might still be funny but it has a lot of creakiness to it.

[€uroMeinke]

Saw Scoop tonight.

...Johannsen ... looks really nice in her red swimsuit....

I'll see it

[Snowflake]

Watched Pirates I last night. Needs to be on the big screen to be sure. I liked it better in the theatre, so this does not bode well for Pirates II which I missed due to the road trip.

I really do need that 42 inch LCD tv......that will make all the difference!

[Snowflake]

So? GC, can we talk about The Third Man in this thread now that you've seen it, I presume?

[NirvanaMan]

Saw Dead Man Walking finally last night. As soon as the credits at the beginning started rolling, I cringed. It was a veritable whos's who of whacko activists most of whom I have a particular disdain for. That aside, I was able to look past that and enjoy the flick. The ending is certainly interesting and the story does and interesting job of straddeling the death penalty issue...one that I am personally conflicted about.

[Snowflake]

Saw Dead Man Walking finally last night. As soon as the credits at the beginning started rolling, I cringed. It was a veritable whos's who of whacko activists most of whom I have a particular disdain for. That aside, I was able to look past that and enjoy the flick. The ending is certainly interesting and the story does and interesting job of straddeling the death penalty issue...one that I am personally conflicted about.

This is one movie I've not seen. I admire Sarandon's work a good deal, and I love TIm Robbins, but, I'm not sure I can sit through this movie. But, based on your comments, I think I should give it a go.

[innerSpaceman]

I wasn't aware any wacko activists were in the cast. I wouldn't recognize their names or faces.

I own this movie, but never watch it. Love it, but death penalty conundrum turns out to be something I'm never quite in the mood for.

[Not Afraid]

I've always wanted to see it, but have had the same reaction you have, ISM.

As far as the cast, I could care less what they do on their own time. I watch Charlton Heston, Hugh Grant, Ronald Regan, Susan Sarandon etc for their acting. Well, maybe not Regan.

[NirvanaMan]

Bedtime for Bonzo?

[Snowflake]

Bedtime for Bonzo?

"Where's the rest of me?!?!?" aka Kings Row, a sick film if ever there was one

[RStar]

Pirates II which I missed due to the road trip.
I think it is still playing in some theaters if you really want to see it on the big screen.

[innerSpaceman]

Yes, I'm sure you can find it playing somewhere in ... oh... what's the name of that burg you live in?

[BarTopDancer]

I finally saw Brokeback Mountain.

Wow.

It should have won.

It is the first DVD that I have watched in a very long time that I sat through without doing anything else.

I'm sure I'll have more later (about a year late) but I'm still processing it.

Amazing.

Wow.

[Gemini Cricket]

It should have won.
Yes. :)


POTC: DMC is #7 in all time Domestic. It just kicked 'Passion' out of the top 10. Amazing.

[BarTopDancer]

Yes. :)


POTC: DMC is #7 in all time Domestic. It just kicked 'Passion' out of the top 10. Amazing.

/snicker. Take that religiousright. That's right. We prefer pirates to Jesus. HAHA! :P

[Freaky Tiki]

I was really tired last night, I had already stayed up too late and had to get up early. I made the mistake of turning on the TV. Comedy Central was playing Clerks uncut. So as much as I knew I needed to go to bed, I couldn't help but watch the movie. Needless to say, now at the end of the day, I'm tired.

Damn Comedy Central for playing decent movies late at night!

[innerSpaceman]

I so didn't get it about Clerks.

So much so that ... despite how everyone continues to rave about it ... I have zero desire to give it another chance.

[Not Afraid]

Yeah, Clerks was ok, but not much more. I prefer Dogma over Clerks.

[Matterhorn Fan]

I just watched The Iron Giant. It was pretty cute.

[scaeagles]

Introducing the 12 year old to "Back to the Future" right now.

[Matterhorn Fan]

With that avatar next to that post, it seems as if you don't like Back to the Future very much.

[Not Afraid]

Yes, Leo. Your avatar tends to lend a sad not to every single post. :(

We watched The Name of the Rose last night. We had a decent-sized TV at our disposal and thought that film would look "pretty". It looked pretty good, but it's wasn't "pretty". God, those Medieval people were dirty! I sure appreciate my shower.

It has been a while since I last saw this film and enjoyed it once again. Sean Connery is yummy and whatever happened to Christian Slater? Good period piece in a period I don't seem to see protrayed in many movies.

[scaeagles]

With that avatar next to that post, it seems as if you don't like Back to the Future very much.

The first time I saw my new avatar next to a post, it was when I was agreeing with ISM. Seemed fitting.

[mousepod]

Spent Hitch's birthday weekend watching The Man Who Knew Too Much, a half-dozen episodes of Alfred Hitchcock Presents and The Wrong Man. I was hoping to be up to Vertigo and North By Northwest for Sunday, but life got in the way... I'll be celebrating the week after his birthday with those.
I was particularly surprised by The Wrong Man. I'd never seen it before, and my initial thought was that it was a misstep. Based on a true story, it tells of a musician (played by Henry Fonda), who is wrongly accused of being a holdup man, and the tribulations that his family goes through as he is subjected to a Kafka-esque arrest and trial process. That night, I had many nightmares triggered by the movie, so I guess it wasn't such a misstep after all...

[Gemini Cricket]

I like 'Clerks' because of how irreverent it is. The montage of the clueless customers is great. Anyone who works in a customer service job could relate. And the fact that he shot this film after work was kinda cool.

I didn't get to watch 'The Third Man' like I wanted to. I spent the whole weekend working on a project for my friend Roddy, cleaning house and shopping. While doing these things I had the DVDs of 'Stage Door' and then 'Fight Club' playing in the background.

[Freaky Tiki]

I like 'Clerks' because of how irreverent it is. The montage of the clueless customers is great. Anyone who works in a customer service job could relate. And the fact that he shot this film after work was kinda cool.

Up until recently I worked in a convenience store which is why I thought a lot of it was funny. Because so many people like that actually exist! You don't get the guys searching for the perfect eggs, but you do get the ladies that try and find the milk that will last a million years.

One day someone called in sick so I had to come in and work, I just kept complaining and saying "I'm not even supposed to be here today!" I didn't even realize I was quoting the movie until someone pointed out to me, and then it got even more funny.

[Gemini Cricket]

I watched 'The Third Man' today. It's a wonderful film. I used to think that 'Double Indemnity' was my favorite film noir movie, but I think this one replaces it.

The lighting in this film is great. A true textbook film on how to light a black and white picture. Stunning. There are shots in this film that look like it took the filmmakers hours to light and the shots only last for a few moments. Wonderful.

There are many interesting angles and shot compositions in this one. Great stuff. Shots look like postcards. Really beautifully done.

I'm not for certain, but it seems like Spielberg got a lot of inspiration for 'Schindler's List' from this film. There are moments that reminded me of Spielberg's film. ie. The use of shadows and the lighting in the sewer scenes remind me of parts of 'SL'.

There's a scene that takes place on a ferris wheel that must have been a bear to coordinate for editing purposes. The constant views out of each window in each shot needed to be done just so in order to make the scene flow. It's hard to describe and when you see it it looks flawless but I'm sure it wasn't easy to pull off.

The acting and story are highlights, too. This film had some of the best minor characters and extras I have seen. People that look like every day type people and not some actor/actress.

This movie also wins an award from me for Best Zither in a film. :D

If you haven't seen this film, see it. It's a good one.

[Prudence]

I've actually seen Double Indemnity.

I note this only because I've failed to see so many significant films, yet this one I've seen.

No Third Man, though.

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

Yes, Leo. Your avatar tends to lend a sad not to every single post. :(

We watched The Name of the Rose last night. We had a decent-sized TV at our disposal and thought that film would look "pretty". It looked pretty good, but it's wasn't "pretty". God, those Medieval people were dirty! I sure appreciate my shower.

It has been a while since I last saw this film and enjoyed it once again. Sean Connery is yummy and whatever happened to Christian Slater? Good period piece in a period I don't seem to see protrayed in many movies.

The young monk/crazy girl sex in the book is one of the most deliciously lusty passages I've ever read. It's not quite as yummy in the film, but it'll do.

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

This weekend I watched Babette's Feast.

Perfect. Movie.

[Not Afraid]

I LOVE that film! Love love love it!

[Gemini Cricket]

This weekend I watched Babette's Feast.

Perfect. Movie.
'Babette's Feast' is another one of those movies that people have been telling me to see and I never saw it. I'm putting it in my queue.
:)

[Prudence]

Oh yeah - I rounded out my vacation last week by watching Bride and Prejudice. I wish I had time to watch it again, because it took me a bit to figure out who was who. Probably because I was trying to match them up to their Austin counterparts.

It was a little bittersweet for me. On the one hand, I did enjoy the movie. I'm a sucker for Austin adaptations, and I did like this one - even if there was sort of a "I've brought along my random white boy friend" aspect to it. And did Darcy ever give a reason for recommending against buying the hotel? But still, I liked it. I liked the musical numbers. I wish there were more musicals like this. On the other hand, though, like the other two movies I watched last week, the effect on me was that I wish I was someone else. If my head didn't hurt, I'd take a moment to analyze how sanitized movie land makes a white girl which she was brown and how I might view the movie differently if I actually were brown.

[€uroMeinke]

This weekend I watched Babette's Feast.

Perfect. Movie.

Just picked up a cheap copy of this one - loved it when it came out, perhaps it's time to pop it into the DVD.

[mousepod]

Babbette's Feast would make a great double feature with Tampopo.

[Gemini Cricket]

Today was:
'Citizen Kane'
'The Magnificent Ambersons'
and
'The Inside Man'

'The Inside Man' was amazing. Loved it. Great acting, great editing, great script, great directing. Loved everything about it. Except one shot. One shot.

Spoiler ahead:
After the hostage is shot, there's a scene where Washington rushes to the front doors of the bank. It looks like Lee put him on a dolly for the shot. It was supposed to be artsy, it turned out fartsy.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

I know this isn't a movie, but we Netflixed it, and it's not interesting enough for it's own thread, but:

We finished the TV series the Prisoner, and man, that show should have quit while it was ahead. The last two episodes were so painful....so absolutely pointless and horrible and full of themselves it was sickening. I can't believe the show got THAT bad.

Eventually I'll be able to watch the early episodes again but it'll be a while.

[Matterhorn Fan]

Well, if anything on DVD counts: I've been watching classic Trek. The Enterprise has been near certain doom in 8 out of 8 episodes so far. Sheesh! They sure get into a lot of trouble.

[€uroMeinke]

I know this isn't a movie, but we Netflixed it, and it's not interesting enough for it's own thread, but:

We finished the TV series the Prisoner, and man, that show should have quit while it was ahead. The last two episodes were so painful....so absolutely pointless and horrible and full of themselves it was sickening. I can't believe the show got THAT bad.

Eventually I'll be able to watch the early episodes again but it'll be a while.

Aw the last episode has got to rank as one of the classic ways to end a series - total devolution into chaos, and the Beatles

[Alex]

Went and saw Miami Vice tonight.

It was about as good as such a movie can be but if nothing else it reaffirms the visual genius that is Michael Mann. I'm just blown away by the nighttime look he is getting shooting digital (it was even better than for Collateral and that was awesome).

[innerSpaceman]

Well, I Netflixed The Libertine and I want those two hours of my life back.

Now I know why it was in theaters for all of ten minutes. Johnny Depp, John Malcovich, Samantha Morton .... what were such talented people thinking??????


* * * * *


Oooooh, a film we were talking about briefly - omg, so 12 pages ago in this thread - - is coming out on DVD after all. The Girl Can't Help It, the Jayne Mansfield, early rock'n'roll classic!! I'm so happy.

Of course, it's part of a set, so I have to buy Rock Hunter and some other movie I've never even heard of just to get Girl Can't Help It, but it will be worth it.

And heck, I had to buy all the Airport movies just to get the first one.


* * * * *

Speaking of disaster movies involving airplanes .... I saw World Trade Center tonight. I'll have more to muse about it later ... but my initial reaction is 'meh.'

There was nothing particularly wrong with it, but it certainly didn't hit me emotionally. I was very moved and upset and emotional in reaction to United 93 earlier this year, but the Oliver Stone movie left me pretty dry. It's not simply that a subject matter calling out for OliverStonisms ironically had none .... it's that, even on its own terms of a very focused story of 2 of the merely 20 WTC survivors, it just wasn't very involving or emotional or upsetting.

Feh.

[Ghoulish Delight]

Aw the last episode has got to rank as one of the classic ways to end a series - total devolution into chaos, and the Beatles
Meh, it was pseudo-intellectual wannabe-psychadelic drivel. The series took a sudden turn from unique, interesting weirdness to hack pretentiousness, starting with the western episode.

[BarTopDancer]

I watched TransAmerica tonight.

Maybe it was the victem of being the first movie I watched after Brokeback Mtn (which I will be buying becuase it was that amazing*, but while good, I was not captivated. Felicity Huffman deserves every single award she received, the acting of everyone was supurb, but I don't know. I may put it back on my Netflix list and watch it after something not so amazing.

I own about 15 dvds, so to buy one means it was pretty frelling amazing

[mousepod]

Gotta chime in in defense of The Prisoner finale here. The show was shot in 1967, and what might be written off as pretentious today, was daring and unique back then. Personally, I found the ending extremely satisfying. I refer you to a 1977 interview with McGoohan (http://www.cultv.co.uk/mcgoohan.htm) where he talks about the show, the ending, and even the motivation for the Western episode.

[Stan4dSteph]

Went and saw Miami Vice tonight.

It was about as good as such a movie can be but if nothing else it reaffirms the visual genius that is Michael Mann. I'm just blown away by the nighttime look he is getting shooting digital (it was even better than for Collateral and that was awesome).I was thinking I should go see this in the theater just because of the visuals. That's what the original series was all about.

So would you recommend seeing it in the theater?

[Ghoulish Delight]

I refer you to a 1977 interview with McGoohan (http://www.cultv.co.uk/mcgoohan.htm) where he talks about the show, the ending, and even the motivation for the Western episode.
From the interview:

"But I thought I wasn't going to pander to a mentality so low that it couldn't perceive what I was trying to say..."

But that's exactly what he DID do. I mean, he talks about the point of the series being about the Village trying to break down the individual. And I GOT that from the 14 "normal" episodes. And I got it without the blatant, "Hey look, we're breaking down the individual" contrivances of the last handful of episodes. My English teacher in Jr. High used to call it "Show; Don't Tell". The show was artfully and masterfully able to convey that message of No. 6 fighting for his individuality without being literal about it. In the end, it just became too literal.

As for it being better having been viewed in 1967, might I remind you that there were protests and letter writing campaigns. And I don't think it's just because people "didn't get it", as McGoohan claims. I think people saw exactly what I saw.

[mousepod]

Perhaps, GD. I guess this is just one where we'll have to agree to disagree. Having seen the entire series several times since my first exposure to it in high school, I can't imagine it ending any other way. I enjoy the absurdity of the finale, the same way I enjoy the ending of The Magic Christian. I hope that you and CP will be able to revisit the other 14 episodes at some point in the future and enjoy the show without the taint the finale puts on it for you.

[Alex]

I was thinking I should go see this in the theater just because of the visuals. That's what the original series was all about.

So would you recommend seeing it in the theater?

It is hard to say for sure. His use of digital gives the night time scenes a visual grittiness that is also visceral. I don't know how this translates to TV since I haven't ever watched my Collateral DVD.

The movie itself is fond of very abrupt transitions. One thing Mann does several times is cut immediately from dark nighttime scene to bright daytime scenes. It creates a physical reaction that I think he wanted. Similarly in terms of the action he goes from extremely moody and contemplative to extremely violent and intense. The former makes up the bulk of the film and maybe doesn't have the right balance.

It is nothing like the TV show (or, at least, nothing like I remember of the TV show which I haven't watched since it was originally on TV and then not often). Other than being in Miami and having characters named Crockett, Tubbs, and Castillo, it is more like Bad Boys (though much more thoughtfully made).

I guess I'd lean towards seeing in the theater but you might want to consider a matinee to save a few bucks. And make sure you pick the best theater possible, insufficient lighting at the projector would ruin the visual impact.

[Not Afraid]

Perhaps, GD. I guess this is just one where we'll have to agree to disagree. Having seen the entire series several times since my first exposure to it in high school, I can't imagine it ending any other way. I enjoy the absurdity of the finale.....

I'm with you there. While I don't love the western episode, I DO love the final episode and I wouldn't ever want to change it.

[Freaky Tiki]

I have tickets to the midnight showing of Snakes on Plane tonight...Boo Ya!

[Matterhorn Fan]

Snakes on a Plane gets midnight showings?! Wow, it's right up there with Star Wars and Harry Potter and Pirates--whatever that means.

[Alex]

Presales of Snakes on a Plane tickets have apparently been slow. Unfortunately I think the hype around this movie peaked about four months ago.

Of course, I've never had any interest in actually seeing the movie just amusement that it was so honestly made and marketed.

[Matterhorn Fan]

Didn't Samuel L. Jackson call you this week, Alex?

I think it'll have a decent (not great) opening weekend, then die quickly. I suspect most people will wait for it on DVD.

[DreadPirateRoberts]

Presales of Snakes on a Plane tickets have apparently been slow. Unfortunately I think the hype around this movie peaked about four months ago.

Of course, I've never had any interest in actually seeing the movie just amusement that it was so honestly made and marketed.


Alex, Do you think they didn't screen the movie because it would get unfavorable reviews?

[Alex]

Probably.

It is a marketing effort built entirely on hype. Reviews can't help and could only hurt. But it has also become increasingly common over the last year for the studios to not screen films of a less intellectual nature, even if it turns out that they aren't that bad. I think so far this year there have been something like 10 or 12 studio releases that weren't screened, more than all of last year.

[Not Afraid]

If I haven't made it to see the latest Woody Allen film, I'm certainly not going to chuck $20 out the window for this film.

[Freaky Tiki]

If I haven't made it to see the latest Woody Allen film, I'm certainly not going to chuck $20 out the window for this film.

Between Woody Allen and Snakes on a Plane, I'll take Snakes on a Plane. I can only watch Woody Allen if I'm being forced to, thus Lame on a Plane. (get it? Because I can't just walk off an airplane can I?)

[innerSpaceman]

I think Alex is right about the peak of interest. I was very gung ho to see this film, as were tons of geeks I know. But by the time it opens tonight, my interest and that of the others who once were ... is all but gone.

Cycle of hype mishandled. Too bad.

[Stan4dSteph]

I'm excited to see it because Samuel L. Jackson called me personally and told me to go see it. :D

[Not Afraid]

He never called me. The bum.

[Matterhorn Fan]

He should have. Your phone must be broken.

[Freaky Tiki]

Went to the Midnight showing of Snakes on a Plane last night.

Wow, I freakin' loved it. The audience was great too, we clapped so much during the thing, I have never laughed so hard at a movie, or said "OH SH!T!" so much.

Quite simply, if you're following the hype, you'll know what to expect. This film has given no lies during it marketing, so if you go and don't like it, its your own damn fault. You knew what you were getting the moment you read the films title.

I totally want to see it again.

[Freaky Tiki]

I rented The Matador last night...anyone else see it?

I really liked it. I laughed quite a bit.

[Motorboat Cruiser]

I actually just read a pretty gushing review of Snakes on CNN. To be honest, for someone who had no interest in seeing this in the theater, I'm starting to change my mind.

[Freaky Tiki]

I think the people who are seeing it are liking it more because they know exactly what to expect, if you know what you're getting when you pay how can you be disappointed? I mean look at advertising nowadays.

Let me use the movie Click as an example. When I saw the previews, I knew they were trying to draw the usual Sandler audience into it. It looked like your usual slapstick comedy. But you go to the movie, iand its a long drawn out sob story that got the humor out in the first half hour. How are Sandler fans going to like that? They were there to see people get wacked in the balls, but instead they got a life lesson. Just because you tricked them into seeing the movie doesn't mean they're going to like it.

When you go to Snakes on a Plane, you get just that...Snakes on a Mother******* Plane!

[Prudence]

Damn but the trailer we saw today is how trailers SHOULD be done. Sense of adventure, hint of cover-up, essence of the unknown because it didn't tell the whole damn story in the trailer. I already can't wait to see it.

And I don't even like Transformers!

[Matterhorn Fan]

I remember rolling my eyes at that one.

Since when do Transformers come from Mars? And what happened to the good ones? I don't remember them all being evil.

But I haven't really thought about Transformers since the 80's.

[Prudence]

Ooh! And there's a movie with Dick Van Dyke about museums coming to life. I probably saw all his footage in the preview, but I'll go see the movie anyhow because he's in it. Even if does probably suck.

[RStar]

Ooh! And there's a movie with Dick Van Dyke about museums coming to life. I probably saw all his footage in the preview, but I'll go see the movie anyhow because he's in it. Even if does probably suck.
That one does sound good.

I saw Dead Man with Johnny Depp last night. A real strange movie. It's a long string of clips with fades in between, and a lot of clips have no dialog. But it was well acted, I thought. The music was annoing at times, but had a strange blend of contimporary and western sound. I didn't expect it to be a western in black and white, though.

[Cadaverous Pallor]

FINALLY saw Kinsey. Really good. Rather balanced portrayal, I thought.

Next time a movie like this comes out I'm seeing it in the theaters with everyone else. It's much like Good Night and Good Luck - important and of the moment.

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

I saw:

MIami Vice - I really wanted to like this one, but just didn't do it for me. The film was shot in all "close ups" and was just strange. It seemed like it didn't know what kind of movie it wanted to be. It went from high-end style to gritty bloody scenes and was just a real mess.

You, Me & Dupree - The film was funny and well done. Not a great film at all, the story is VERY familiar if you've seen just about ANY comedy made, but it's kinda charming and has some funny moments. One film you can leave your brain off when watching.

World Trade Center - A real good film. Nothing spectacular, given the subject matter, but I was pleased it wasn't overly glorified. It didn't feel like an Oliver Stone film really. The effects of the tower was chilling and really gave a different perspective of what happened beyond the usual images we now associate with 911.

[innerSpaceman]

I think I'd like more fiction than fact in any future World Trade Center stories.

This may sound cold, but the great stories of the day generally involve people who died. Most of those stories would have to be at least somewhat imagined.

Even in United 93, which featured such realism that a great many roles were self-played, events aboard the flight with no survivors had to - of necessity - make some educated guesses and fictionalize away.

In World Trade Center, we followed characters who survived precisely because they had not yet gotten in on the action. It's only because those Port Authority cops were still in the concourse between the towers and not at even the starting point of their planned rescue foray that they survived.

I think the stories of rescuers who really ventured up into the towers would be more compelling.

Perhaps it would be too garish or ToweringInfernolike, but there are also some pretty dramatic stories to be told of people trapped higher than the airplane crashes, of the people who managed to escape down the few passable stairways, and the horrible irony of people making it all the way down to the lobby only to be crushed by the crumbling buildings. And, yes, I'll even go so far as to claim storyworthy drama of situations like having to choose between burning to death or plumetting a hundred stories ... or being on a flight that's commandeered into a skyscraper.



Yes, I have no shame. These things should be portrayed in movies about September 11 ... with characters we somewhat get to know who are put in these most surrealistically deadly situations that actually happened. And more of the terrorists should be characters. And fictionalize some of the planning.

It doesn't all have to be true and based on actual accounts and all that. No one lived to tell the truth of the best 9/11 stories - - - someeone's gonna have to make them up

* * * * *

And frankly, if a happy Hollywood ending is necessary and actual survivor's tales must be told .... there's two that would make for better films than the two told in Stone's movie.

How about the amazing survival story of Pasquale Buzzelli? An engineer for the Port Authority, he had reached either the 22nd or 13th floor of the North Tower when the building started coming down. He free-fell with the building and then lost consciousness. When he awoke 3 hours later, he was laying on top of the rubble of the tower looking up at the sky. He only suffered a concussion, a broken foot, and minor cuts.

Also on the less dull scale is the story of Stanley Praimnaith, whose office was on the 81st floor of the South Tower. When the North Tower was hit, he was at his desk. He didn't know that the other tower was hit when he was told to evacuate the building, which he did with his co-workers. At the front desk, they were told by the security guard that it is safe and they can return to their offices. Almost as soon as he was back in his office, a friend called from Chicago to see if he was watching the news. She told him that he had to get out of the building.

"Everything's fine," he recalled telling her, just before he looked up to see the huge gray form of the American Airlines plane heading directly toward the building — less than 100 yards away!

He dove under his desk just as the wing of the plane crashed through his window and exploded. He was able to crawl out of the hell on the 81st floor and down the one available stairwell to safety without any serious injuries.


* * * * *

Perhaps it's not fair to compare World Trade Center with other 9/11 movies or with other Oliver Stone films or with other World Trade Center tales. But I think such comparisons are natural ... I am making them ... and I think Stone's movie comes up stort on all counts.

[Gemini Cricket]

My apologies to anyone who likes this film but I find 'Bladerunner' to be almost unwatchable. Ralphie wanted to watch this one on Saturday and no matter how hard I try to sit through this one, it's truly boring. I've seen it about four times now (each version twice) and have dozed off several times trying to sit through it. I indeed have seen it all the way through and find the premise interesting, but combine Ford, Young and a Vangelis synthesizer score and it's a one way ticket to dullsville. Bleh!
I'm a huge fan of sci-fi, I love the story it's based on but man oh man is this one slow moving flick.

[Freaky Tiki]

I contradict myself with Bladerunner. I love it but at the same time find it boring as hell. Very interesting premise, but just very slow moving.

[Moonliner]

I've seen it about four times now (each version twice) and have dozed off several times trying to sit through it.

Given the movies I have seen lately (superman, PoTC II) I'd be happy to settle for a movie during which I could at least get a good nap. I like naps.

[Gemini Cricket]

Naps are good.
:)

[innerSpaceman]

Bladerunner blows.


No idea why in the world it's such a cult hit. It is practically unwatchable.

[€uroMeinke]

Bladerunner is a tough film, definately loved it when it came out, but the DVD I have is the directors cut and not the Theatrical release, which I too found slow moving. I think the movie suffers the problem of practicly defining the 80s - The "look" of the film was comletely new and different, but today, the scenes of the near future look already past. So I guess you just had to see it at it's time to really appreciate it.

[Prudence]

I first saw Bladerunner during a undergrad technofeminist class and now I couldn't enjoy it if I wanted to.

[Moonliner]

What is your best single movie experience of all times? I'm not taking about the best movie per-say but the best theater experience.

For me it has to be thanks to the 1991 Julia Roberts movie "Dying Young".

After the success of "Pretty Woman" our classic single-screen huge theater (with balcony) booked "Dying Young" for like half the summer. After about a week of no ticket sales from that bomb, the theater was desperate for something to show. So they started showing old classics like "Larurence of Arabia" and "Blade Runner." On a Wednesday afternoon I went to a $2.00 early showing of "2001 A Space Odyssey". In a five hundred seat theater I was the ONLY one there. It was like being in space. Totally silent and cavernous. A true once in a lifetime movie experience.

[Gemini Cricket]

One of my favorite movie theatre moments was going to a midnight showing of 'Grease' at the Sunset Theatres back in 97 or so. It was like a spontaneous 'Rocky Horror' but with 'Grease'. It was fun.
People were singing the songs and dancing. A highlight was definitely everyone in the theatre doing the hand jive.
:)

[Ghoulish Delight]

So I guess you just had to see it at it's time to really appreciate it.Not so. I first saw it around '93 and I'm a fan. Though I certainly can appreciate why people might consider it slow. But the ideas, the style (though definitely dated at this point), and many of the performances won me over.

[mousepod]

Count me as a Bladerunner fan, too. Having said that, I equally hate the tacked-on ending of the original theatrical version and the lack of voiceover in the "director's cut". I still have my old Criterion laserdisc, so I watch it until the doors close (if you know the movie, you'll know what I mean) and then stop the movie.

Another problem is that the current DVD release is one of the first big-studio DVDs ever release, and it hasn't been remastered since.

[Please forgive me for this:]
GC, you say you like the source material. Have you been into Dick for a long time?
[I'm soooo sorry]

[Not Afraid]

We watched Good Night and Good Luck last night. I regret that I didn't see this on the big screen. What a beautiful film and so poignent! Wonderfully casted, perfect flow, seamless cuts between the old and the new, and what a soundtrack! I can't wait to watch it again.

[Not Afraid]

Another problem is that the current DVD release is one of the first big-studio DVDs ever release, and it hasn't been remastered since.



I believe Blade Runner was the first DVD we ever bought! (First CD was Phillip Glass' The Photographer).

I'm a BR fan as well. I, too, miss the voice-over in the directors cut. Unofrtunantely, it is starting to look a bit dated to me where, when I first saw it, it was a marvel. It truely is one of the great films of my early adult years.

[Gemini Cricket]

We also watched 'Battlestar Galactica - the Mini-series' on DVD as well. It's the new fangled Starbucks is a girl series.
Having not seen any of the show on TV, I really enjoyed it. Although, I knew who the replecant silon person was. I read it in an interview somewhere.
I loved the way they tied in the old series with the new. The space battle scenes were amazing.

It's interesting that this mini-series was far more entertaining to me than the Star Wars prequels. And 'Battlestar Gallactica' was a SW rip off in the 70's. Amazing.

My only gripe with this series and with many movies in general is what I call the Goodlooking Means Credible syndrome. The character of Apollo (aka Lee... whatever) is presented to us in this mini series as just being good looking and the son of the boss. That's basically all we were given as an audience as a reason to like his character. I say that that's not enough for me. It needs to be proven in the audience's eyes. (This is all my opinion here, I'm just thinking outloud... in a post...) Lots of movies nowadays do this. Throw a bunch of goodlooking folk in a film and people will like them no matter what. *Buzz!* Wrong. Apollo does prove himself to be a cool guy later, but they should have shown us instead of just saying, 'Look! Handsome white boy = You likey.' Nope.

All in all, that's the only thing I had a problem with in this mini-flick. I like Mary Stands with Fist as the Prez and Olmos as Adama. I was thinking that Apollo didn't look latino... but oh, well.

And I love the taiko drum score. Nice touch.
:)

[Gemini Cricket]

[Please forgive me for this:]
GC, you say you like the source material. Have you been into Dick for a long time?
[I'm soooo sorry]
Good Lord, that was sooooo mojo worthy. Hysterical stuff. I'm still laughing.

The answer is: All my life. :D


Euro ~ To me, boring is boring. I can put a film into context with when it was released.

I loved the film noir aspect of the film. But I thought the narration made it even more boring. Mr. Monotone Ford isn't the most interesting person to listen to. Now to look at? That's a different story. :)

It is also interesting to note that it seems that many filmmakers including Spielberg and prequel Lucas got inspiration from Scott's vision.

[mousepod]

Heather really likes the new Battlestar Galactica. We've only watched the mini-series and 6 or 7 episodes of series one so far. While I can appreciate it, I find the show to be relentless and depressing. So far, it's all been about running away and counting the survivors. Ouch.

I'm willing to give it a shot - but I can't watch more than 2 episodes in a sitting (and even that's pushing it).

[Not Afraid]

But I thought the narration made it even more boring. Mr. Monotone Ford isn't the most interesting person to listen to.
"I don't know why he saved my life"

There are some lines that have permanently entered into my vernacular and this is one of them.

[mousepod]

Back to movies - I just saw The Pervert's Guide to Cinema - written and starring Slavoj Zizek and directed by Sophie Fiennes. Utterly amazing.

I feel like I'm late to the party on Zizek. I looked him up last night on wikipedia and amazon and he seems to have published many things that I need to read. Anybody here heard of him before?

[Ghoulish Delight]

"I don't know why he saved my life"

There are some lines that have permanently entered into my vernacular and this is one of them."If you could only see what I've seen through your eyes."

[mousepod]

"If you could only see what I've seen through your eyes."

"More human than human."

"I want more life, f*cker."

[Gemini Cricket]

I can't join in on the quoting of 'Bladerunner'. It's against office policy to fall asleep at my desk.
:D Just kidding...

[mousepod]

I can't join in on the quoting of 'Bladerunner'. It's against office policy to fall asleep at my desk.
:D Just kidding...

WAKE UP! TIME TO DIE!

(sorry... couldn't resist)

[Alex]

Yeah, not liking Blade Runner was a major blow to my teenaged sci-fi street cred.

I could get through the original version but a group of us trekked into some small theater in Portland to see it when the director's cut was released theatrically and I just found it interminably boring. I don't think I've seen either version since though we do have the DVD.

Saw Snakes on a Plane on Friday since all the reviews were saying that if you saw it to see it in a crowd. The theater wasn't really very crowded but it was a fun movie so long as you expected absolutely nothing out of it.

Of course, there is the irony (intentional or not, I can't tell) of putting hundreds of snakes on a plane in what is probably the most difficult location on earth to get a snake to (Hawaii, that is).

[Cadaverous Pallor]

Don't tell my husband this but I also find Bladerunner boring. Shhh! I mean, it's pretty and all, but I have fought sleep while watching it, and I NEVER fall asleep during movies.

[Gemini Cricket]

...and I NEVER fall asleep during movies.
Me neither! I never ever ever fall asleep during movies. My own personal take on it is that it's rude to do so. :D

[Gemini Cricket]

Mwahhahahaha!

I got 'Elizabeth I' the HBO miniseries! It's being mailed to me by Netflix! I can't wait. It comes out tomorrow, but they're mailing it today. I'll get it tomorrow!

Mwuhahahahaha!
:)

[Matterhorn Fan]

Me neither! I never ever ever fall asleep during movies. My own personal take on it is that it's rude to do so. :DUh oh....I didn't realize that I was so rude! Is it also rude to fall asleep during The Colbert Report or Star Trek Voyager or Stargate Atlantis?

In my defense, I blame it on a certain comfy couch rather than the movies/shows. If I'm laying down, I'm likely to fall asleep. Sitting up, not so much.

But I still nearly fell asleep during Blade Runner.

[Gemini Cricket]

TV shows don't count. :D

[Matterhorn Fan]

Oh good.

I won't bother to mention which moves I've fallen asleep during. There's one in particular I really should watch beginning to end.

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

We also watched 'Battlestar Galactica - the Mini-series' on DVD as well. It's the new fangled Starbucks is a girl series.
Having not seen any of the show on TV, I really enjoyed it. Although, I knew who the replecant silon person was. I read it in an interview somewhere.
I loved the way they tied in the old series with the new. The space battle scenes were amazing.

It's interesting that this mini-series was far more entertaining to me than the Star Wars prequels. And 'Battlestar Gallactica' was a SW rip off in the 70's. Amazing.

My only gripe with this series and with many movies in general is what I call the Goodlooking Means Credible syndrome. The character of Apollo (aka Lee... whatever) is presented to us in this mini series as just being good looking and the son of the boss. That's basically all we were given as an audience as a reason to like his character. I say that that's not enough for me. It needs to be proven in the audience's eyes. (This is all my opinion here, I'm just thinking outloud... in a post...) Lots of movies nowadays do this. Throw a bunch of goodlooking folk in a film and people will like them no matter what. *Buzz!* Wrong. Apollo does prove himself to be a cool guy later, but they should have shown us instead of just saying, 'Look! Handsome white boy = You likey.' Nope.

All in all, that's the only thing I had a problem with in this mini-flick. I like Mary Stands with Fist as the Prez and Olmos as Adama. I was thinking that Apollo didn't look latino... but oh, well.

And I love the taiko drum score. Nice touch.
:)

I LOVE this show. I'm waiting for the second half of the second season to come out on DVD. Impatiently, I might add.

[Eliza Hodgkins 1812]

First, I love Bladerunner. Particularly, the longer, lingering Director's Cut sans narration.

This weekend I watched Buster Keaton's The General and enjoyed it very, very much. Also loved the two shorts included in the DVD. And then, because of the Buster Keaton theme, I watched Benny and Joon. Which is fluffy and makes my teeth hurt, but I don't care. I like it anyway.

As for my best theater going experience, that would have to be watching Harold Lloyd's Safety Last with a live orchestra. I've never been so amazed/wowed/happy/in love/excited watching a movie before.

Though the best audience award (happy cheers, clapping, etc.) goes to the people with whom I watched a recent screening of Raiders of the Lost Ark.

[LSPoorEeyorick]

This weekend we saw:

Snakes on a Plane (dumb-fun)

The Illusionist (not as great as I wished it had been, but the magic was magical, at least)

Trust the Man (we were in a let's-watch-more-movies mood. We regretted this choice terribly, especially when we ran into the producer of the other movie we were considering. She's a friend of Tom's, and we had to admit we were holding tickets to what was the worst and dullest film we've seen in a theater in years... and not tickets to her movie.)

Quinceanera (aforementioned other choice-- we ended up going to it as well, to get the bad taste of Trust the Man out of our heads. An excellent indie film worth watching.)

[Gemini Cricket]

I LOVE this show. I'm waiting for the second half of the second season to come out on DVD. Impatiently, I might add.
I started to really love it after I got over the fact that Starbuck was now a girl. It really took the gayness away from the Apollo/Starbuck pairing. Oh well. There's a little lesbian in Starbuck methinks. :)

[innerSpaceman]

Just came back from Little Miss Sunshine. What a little gem. Funny, a bit poignant, lots of good observationism, absurdism, farce, and sweetness. Great cast (many of whom may, as you read this, be in an avatar/signature double whammy two posts up).



And, um, Bladerunner was boring on opening day, when I first saw it. So I'm not buying "you had to see it back in the day." Boring is boring.





.

[Not Afraid]

I had 5 different films I had pulled out to choose from tonight, but I went to the emergency vet instead. I watched a really awful Fox TV program while I was there. Don't know the name, don't care.

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

http://www.dvdactive.com/news/releases/blade-runner.html

Some Blade Runner news. 3 versions coming out on DVD soon. ;)