Miscellaneous Movie Musings - Page 430

Gemini Cricket · 04-19-2009, 11:22 PM

Saw Grey Gardens the Drew Barrymore/Jessica Lange film on HBO this weekend. I liked it. I think their Boston accents were iffy but the film itself was good.

Watched Prayers for Bobby tonight. Wow. I can't tell you how powerful it was watching that film with my mom. One single, solitary film got through to her more than me trying so hard to talk to her about the "gay thing" for the past 20 years. Sigourney Weaver rocks. The film was not perfect, but I think it was crafted in such a way to connect to a broad audience. It hit certain chords right and that's what matters. It did the book and the real Mary Griffith justice, imho.

LSPoorEeyorick · 04-20-2009, 07:25 AM

I really liked Grey Gardens, too. Though I'm not sure they were actually attempting Boston accents. Little Edie was born in NYC and only lived there and Long Island (before and during the action of the film.) I figured it was more of an "old money" accent, but spotty nonetheless.

Snowflake · 04-20-2009, 08:00 AM

I thought Grey Gardens was excellent. Both Lange and Barrymore were terrific.

I also caught Frozen River this weekend. Compelling little film with a predictable ending, but still I do not feel the time was wasted. Melissa Leo was terrific. I don't care, you would not have caught me driving across the damned river. The tires on her car must have been something else!

SzczerbiakManiac · 04-20-2009, 09:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gemini Cricket

Saw Grey Gardens the Drew Barrymore/Jessica Lange film on HBO this weekend. I liked it. I think their Boston accents were iffy but the film itself was good.

Have you seen the original documentary? I think the accents were spot on.

Snowflake · 04-20-2009, 09:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SzczerbiakManiac

Have you seen the original documentary? I think the accents were spot on.

No, that is on my must see list now.

Gemini Cricket · 04-20-2009, 12:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SzczerbiakManiac

Have you seen the original documentary? I think the accents were spot on.

Yes and I'm not sure I agree. But it has been awhile. I must dust the DVD off and watch it again...

Alex · 04-23-2009, 09:02 AM

I have no recollection of having heard of it before or adding it to my Netflix queue, but last night I noticed a movie called Tell No One available on my Watch Instantly list (via the Roku).

Decided to watch it and was very pleasantly surprised. It is a very well done French suspense thriller (Ne le dis à personne).

Eight years after his wife was murdered by a serial killer a Paris doctor is once again put under suspicion when two buried bodies are discovered with evidence suggesting her murder was just staged to look like the work of the serial killer.

The evidence piles up, the police circle in, he starts getting mysterious emails suggesting things are even more unlike they seem than it seems.

It is a pretty complex piece of work but in the end it all hangs together beautifully (if slightly anticlimactically).

And it is understated throughout, having a very '70s feel (something like Three Days of the Condor -- in understated style, not content) where the filmmaker doesn't need to go over the top with supervillains, crazy technology, or painfully complex plots. Just honest confusion, real tension and an unambiguous payoff in the end. Even the obligatory chase scene shows such restraint and as a result feels almost realistic.

Not a world changing movie by any stretch, but a strong recommend from me.

Snowflake · 04-23-2009, 09:17 AM

Thanks Alex, moved to the top on my queue. Looks good and I love a good thriller/suspense.

Gemini Cricket · 05-03-2009, 03:17 AM

What's that smell? Oh, it's the new Wolverine movie. P freakin U!

This movie was shot like a movie of the week. Lighting was too bright, no plot, the dialogue was trite and cheesy... bad acting...

Yeah, Jackman's great eye candy but still. Yikes.

I'm a huge X-Men comics fan but avoid this one at all costs. Wait for Netflix.

innerSpaceman · 05-03-2009, 06:21 AM

Hey Brad, Netflix finally sent me "Rent." The Broadway version, not the movie.

Hmmm, mixed feelings. I liked it better than the film, that's for sure. It's basically just vignettes to music, and I think that works much better as a stage device. There's really not much 'plot.'

But, for what it is ... pretty much a bunch of songs connected by a thin thread of 20-something AIDS-related relationship drama ... the songs are pretty much all really good. And that's what counts, I guess. I found it entertaining because it was all music, and I enjoyed a good 85% of the music.

BUT ... I was surprised to really hate the way it portrays homosexuals. The lesbian couple was allowed to be lesbian. Two women were shown being in love. The male couple, however, was a boy and a tranny. All the scenes and songs of them together and in love have the imagery of a man and a woman, not a man and a man. This bugged me no end.

In fact, I'm pretty sure the Angel's not in drag for the brief scene where they meet only so the audience can "know" that it's a gay relationship ... because once she's in drag - on stage much moreseo than on film - the character is a girl even if it's played by a boy (and Angel is a pretty convincing girl).

I hated, hated, hated, hated this. One more hypocritical example of how it's "ok" to portray two women together, but two men together cannot be shown.

Yes, during Angel's illness, two men were shown in a care-giving situation very intimately. But the images and musical numbers of Angel and Tom Collins falling and being in love were all boy/girl, and it pissed me off for what is reputed to be such a gay-friendly piece.

Bah.

Oh, plus when Roger confronts Mark near the end of the second act ... I thought he was going to out him. But instead, he just nails him for being detached. Um, he's the gayest character in the show!!! Queer as an eight dollar bill. WTF?

So, I hate the way Rent deals with Gay. But the songs are great!

I think I'd like the CD better than the show.

But, since I never got to see it ... I'm glad I finally got to watch a filmed version of it. I kind of grok it a little at least. The movie version was just a mess.

04-19-2009, 11:22 PM	#4291
Gemini Cricket ... Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13,244	Saw Grey Gardens the Drew Barrymore/Jessica Lange film on HBO this weekend. I liked it. I think their Boston accents were iffy but the film itself was good. Watched Prayers for Bobby tonight. Wow. I can't tell you how powerful it was watching that film with my mom. One single, solitary film got through to her more than me trying so hard to talk to her about the "gay thing" for the past 20 years. Sigourney Weaver rocks. The film was not perfect, but I think it was crafted in such a way to connect to a broad audience. It hit certain chords right and that's what matters. It did the book and the real Mary Griffith justice, imho.
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04-20-2009, 07:25 AM	#4292
LSPoorEeyorick scribblin' Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: in the moment Posts: 3,872	I really liked Grey Gardens, too. Though I'm not sure they were actually attempting Boston accents. Little Edie was born in NYC and only lived there and Long Island (before and during the action of the film.) I figured it was more of an "old money" accent, but spotty nonetheless.
	Submit to Quotes

04-20-2009, 08:00 AM	#4293
Snowflake lost in the fog Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 7,831	I thought Grey Gardens was excellent. Both Lange and Barrymore were terrific. I also caught Frozen River this weekend. Compelling little film with a predictable ending, but still I do not feel the time was wasted. Melissa Leo was terrific. I don't care, you would not have caught me driving across the damned river. The tires on her car must have been something else!
	Submit to Quotes

04-23-2009, 09:02 AM	#4297
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	I have no recollection of having heard of it before or adding it to my Netflix queue, but last night I noticed a movie called Tell No One available on my Watch Instantly list (via the Roku). Decided to watch it and was very pleasantly surprised. It is a very well done French suspense thriller (Ne le dis à personne). Eight years after his wife was murdered by a serial killer a Paris doctor is once again put under suspicion when two buried bodies are discovered with evidence suggesting her murder was just staged to look like the work of the serial killer. The evidence piles up, the police circle in, he starts getting mysterious emails suggesting things are even more unlike they seem than it seems. It is a pretty complex piece of work but in the end it all hangs together beautifully (if slightly anticlimactically). And it is understated throughout, having a very '70s feel (something like Three Days of the Condor -- in understated style, not content) where the filmmaker doesn't need to go over the top with supervillains, crazy technology, or painfully complex plots. Just honest confusion, real tension and an unambiguous payoff in the end. Even the obligatory chase scene shows such restraint and as a result feels almost realistic. Not a world changing movie by any stretch, but a strong recommend from me. Last edited by Alex : 04-23-2009 at 09:19 AM.
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04-23-2009, 09:17 AM	#4298
Snowflake lost in the fog Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 7,831	Thanks Alex, moved to the top on my queue. Looks good and I love a good thriller/suspense.
	Submit to Quotes

05-03-2009, 03:17 AM	#4299
Gemini Cricket ... Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 13,244	What's that smell? Oh, it's the new Wolverine movie. P freakin U! This movie was shot like a movie of the week. Lighting was too bright, no plot, the dialogue was trite and cheesy... bad acting... Yeah, Jackman's great eye candy but still. Yikes. I'm a huge X-Men comics fan but avoid this one at all costs. Wait for Netflix.
	Submit to Quotes

05-03-2009, 06:21 AM	#4300
innerSpaceman Kink of Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inner Space Posts: 13,075	Hey Brad, Netflix finally sent me "Rent." The Broadway version, not the movie. Hmmm, mixed feelings. I liked it better than the film, that's for sure. It's basically just vignettes to music, and I think that works much better as a stage device. There's really not much 'plot.' But, for what it is ... pretty much a bunch of songs connected by a thin thread of 20-something AIDS-related relationship drama ... the songs are pretty much all really good. And that's what counts, I guess. I found it entertaining because it was all music, and I enjoyed a good 85% of the music. BUT ... I was surprised to really hate the way it portrays homosexuals. The lesbian couple was allowed to be lesbian. Two women were shown being in love. The male couple, however, was a boy and a tranny. All the scenes and songs of them together and in love have the imagery of a man and a woman, not a man and a man. This bugged me no end. In fact, I'm pretty sure the Angel's not in drag for the brief scene where they meet only so the audience can "know" that it's a gay relationship ... because once she's in drag - on stage much moreseo than on film - the character is a girl even if it's played by a boy (and Angel is a pretty convincing girl). I hated, hated, hated, hated this. One more hypocritical example of how it's "ok" to portray two women together, but two men together cannot be shown. Yes, during Angel's illness, two men were shown in a care-giving situation very intimately. But the images and musical numbers of Angel and Tom Collins falling and being in love were all boy/girl, and it pissed me off for what is reputed to be such a gay-friendly piece. Bah. Oh, plus when Roger confronts Mark near the end of the second act ... I thought he was going to out him. But instead, he just nails him for being detached. Um, he's the gayest character in the show!!! Queer as an eight dollar bill. WTF? So, I hate the way Rent deals with Gay. But the songs are great! I think I'd like the CD better than the show. But, since I never got to see it ... I'm glad I finally got to watch a filmed version of it. I kind of grok it a little at least. The movie version was just a mess.
	Submit to Quotes