Miscellaneous Movie Musings

[RStar]

Originally Posted by Not Afraid

We went to see The Queen today - about time! Helen Mirin was gret and I just love Stephen Frears' style of film making. I found it very odd to see a film about subjects who are still alive and dealing with a period of time that is so recent. I kept wondering of the Royal Family had seen it. And, boy that Prince Phillip is a dick (at least he was protrayed as one.)

I saw it over the weekend as well. I thought it was well done, and it gave me some insight as to why the Queen handled Diana's death the was she did. If the movie was indeed acurate, that is.

And yes, I wanted to slap Philip as well. Charles was portrayed as a sniveling idiot. I don't know how acurate that was either.

[thecorndogwalker]

yeah i went and saw the QUEEN last night, actually we had a nice dinner. we...

ooops wrong thread...

[Gn2Dlnd]

Beg pardon?

The proper title is Commodore.

Toot!

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

The Departed -

I saw the film last night - finally! Had to be the best Scorsese picture since Casino or even Last Temptation. The script was a bit weak in that you knew everyone's role and there were no real secrets. I think the story was more about the evolution of everyone and "how it happend." Jack was "Jack" but always great to see him on screen in this type of role. Marky Mark was good, but i expected more from him after his nomination. One of the best films of the year!

9 bornieo's out of 10

[innerSpaceman]

Not to quibble ... but I don't recall any review ever getting less than 9 Bornieo's Out Of 10.


Is there anything you didn't like?


just curious. If you happen to simply be a generous film viewer and reviewer, there's absolutely nothing wrong with that. I'm just wondering why there's 10 possible Bornieo's if only two of them get used.

[Bornieo: Fully Loaded]

I'm picky about what I review. The low "Bornieo" ratings are usually not worth talking about.

Here's some films that got low ratings:
- Hostel
- X-Men 3
- Miami Vice
- Jackass 2
- Clerks 2
- Taladega Nights

[Alex]

Saw Venus last night and it overcomes a lot I didn't like (the score, the tired practice of opening the movie with the final shot, the first half hour trying too hard, to much mining of the "old people cursing is inherently funny") to become a very thought provoking film.

I'm still not sure what I think about it, though at the moment the dominant feeling is pity and I'm pretty sure that isn't as intended.

Anyway, despite a little bit of showboating in the first half ("oh, look me! ain't I ooooold?) Peter O'Toole is great. I'm still two actors short in the Best Actor category but both Whitaker and O'Toole easily trump DiCaprio in Blood Diamond and with the "real person" handicap, the choice goes over to O'Toole though both are amazing.

To me, though, the real stunner of a performance was Leslie Phillips as Maurice's friend Ian.

A couple random thoughts:

- Until I saw his name written at the end of the movie I thought his name was Morris, not Maurice. Stupid accents.
- When did Vanessa Redgrave start looking like Michael Caine in drag?
- When Maurice and Ian had tea in those posh environs (after climbing the long stairs) where was that? The movie seemed to assume you'd know; I didn't.
- Where did they go after that with the plaques on the walls for famous dead actors?
- The score and soundtrack were intrusive and while the songs by Corinne Rae (or whatever her name is) are more than fine, I didn't care for them in the movie.



Also watched Drugstore Cowboy last night. I'm not easily disposed to "drug movies" of any bent but enjoyed this one. One thing I found interesting for its filmic rareness is that when Dillon's character decides to go clean, it doesn't seem to have been all that difficult. Yes, the straight life was boring, but not difficult.

[Stan4dSteph]

I haven't seen Venus, so I'm not sure about where the characters had tea. My guess would be either at Fortnum & Mason or Harrod's.

[Not Afraid]

I assumed that tea was at at old haunt men's club from thei past. As for the church, I don't know but I'd be willing to scout around London for it.

Actually, if I could remember any of the names on the plaques, that might be a good research starting point.

[Strangler Lewis]

Originally Posted by Alex Stroup

Saw Venus
- Until I saw his name written at the end of the movie I thought his name was Morris, not Maurice. Stupid accents.

I guess you never saw the '80s Merchant/Ivory film "Maurice," based on the E.M. Forster novel and featuring Hugh Grant as a closet case, where the character's name was also pronounced "Morris."