Joined: Feb 2009 Gender: Female Posts: 25,799 Location: Mexico
Re: Recent small screen viewing « Reply #930 on Jun 27, 2012, 5:23pm »
I always appreciate your reviews, Jazz, since they are in-depth & never just like/didn't like. They always make me curious about the movie & willing to accept the film as a viable work of art, whether or not I ultimately enjoy the movie in question.
I saw Melancholia the other day. Arresting visuals and a bravura performance by Kirsten Dunst. Having said that, though, it was excruciating to watch and I'll never watch it again.
Today my husband reminded me in a text message to return melon-cholia (referring to Dunst's boobs). Jack ass.
Now you've done it. Here I am watching Melancholia again on cable to see if it really is unbearable on a small screen. I only saw it on a big screen two years ago and was stunned, especially by the ending.
But lots of films should not ever be seen in video -- it ruins everything.
Joined: Jan 2013 Gender: Female Posts: 400 Location: NOLA,USA
Re: Recent small screen viewing « Reply #932 on Jun 30, 2012, 5:23pm »
I watched The Reader. A quiet night home alone with no distractions. I have only a brief recall of some speak of it, not quite fully comprehending what I was about to experience. I had somewhat of a need after wards to come on here and see what others thought about it before writing this but,that left me, because I only know fresh in my head my reaction and the thoughts it brought to mind. No, I have not read the book. First off, I had not realized Winslet's inner and outer true beauty, and talent, as I haven't seen that many roles of hers. I loved this film. A brave and bold performance,it seemed so natural. Could some of the scenes been a wee more suggestive,less graphic, as the eroticism and obsession, purity and innocence, was so early on well represented and then became perhaps overplayed?, I don't know.... If anything, it conjured so many fleeting images of hauntingly beautiful fantasies and true life images of my own, snippets of sheer pure joyful moments the film made me recall so poignantly. And,what more beautiful a way of being able to juxtapose the act of reading and a sharing, combining, of all that is, or should be, pure and good? This film will stay with me a long time.
Joined: Jan 2013 Gender: Female Posts: 400 Location: NOLA,USA
Re: Recent small screen viewing « Reply #933 on Jul 4, 2012, 1:54pm »
I watched Damage last evening. I had seen this film twice before. Incredibly intense, disturbing, brilliant acting. Binoche and Irons are real convincing. I also really loved Miranda Richardson's performance. Phew.
Joined: Feb 2009 Gender: Female Posts: 25,799 Location: Mexico
Re: Recent small screen viewing « Reply #934 on Jul 4, 2012, 3:47pm »
Oh, Casimira, I'm so glad you finally saw The Reader. I love what you wrote about it, as it's obvious you really inhabited the movie as you watched it. Jun 30, 2012, 5:23pm, casimira wrote:
Could some of the scenes been a wee more suggestive,less graphic, as the eroticism and obsession, purity and innocence, was so early on well represented and then became perhaps overplayed?
Yes -- absolutely agree with you, although I couldn't have put it that well. It wasn't a dreadful mistake, but I did think the overplaying, as you put it, messed up the general feel and flow of the movie a little.
Last night I finally saw "The Reader". It's been several years since I read the book, which I liked a great deal. Initially, I kept thinking that so much was different from the book, then decided I was ruining the movie for myself. Are there enough superlatives to describe Kate Winslett's acting? She has a way of physically inhabiting her characters that is beyond brilliant. Ralph Fiennes as Michael was excellent, and David Kross, who played the younger Michael was perfect. I don't know if the casting directors (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0976051/fullcredits) got any awards for this, but their decisions were superb in every particular, as was the work of the art, set, costume, and make-up departments.
I was in an extremely sad mood yesterday because of some news I'd received, so maybe that affected my reaction to the movie. All I know is that the revelation of what the adult Michael does so many years later had me sobbing.
This is one of those movies that you really want to discuss with someone who has also seen it recently -- lots of questions, debatable points, etc.
I remember hearing of Damage, but don't remember anything about it. What a cast!
Re: Recent small screen viewing « Reply #935 on Jul 4, 2012, 10:57pm »
Loved The Artist. It was beautifully filmed and moved at a brisk pace. I didn't mind the lack of dialogue at all. The leads were appealing. I thought Bernice Bejo had a luminous screen presence.
Joined: Jan 2013 Gender: Female Posts: 400 Location: NOLA,USA
Re: Recent small screen viewing « Reply #936 on Jul 5, 2012, 10:12am »
Oh thank you NYCgirl, I will check out The Artist soon. I have a list but I think I'll bump that one up.
We watched J'taime Paris last night. Love love loved it!!! (A series of short vignettes that all take place in a different part of Paris and directed by a whole slew of well known filmmakers. Also some fine actors in many of them, other more obscure actors were brilliant as well) I particularly enjoyed it after having got to know Paris and it's environs through so many fabulous threads on here). There was only one short that we FF'd through, it was that bad. If you love Paris, or even if you don't, please check this out!
My husband has some kind of burning desire to see The Third Man tonight so that it will be. A true classic indeed so, I'm not whining.
There was only one short that we FF'd through, it was that bad.
Wish one was that? I didn't care for the vampire one. I'm sick of vampires.
Orson Welles played a good sociopath The Third Man.
Just saw The Descendants. The Hawaii scenery was gorgeous, but what a snoozer of a movie.
How did you guess? Yes, it was!!! It had Elijah Wood in it. Within one minute of the vampire appearance we were both reaching for the remote and gnashing our teeth. Don't forget, NOLA was home for many years to Anne Rice. If I never see or hear of anything vampire ever again I'll be a happy camper.
Yes, we both enjoyed seeing The Third Man again. We then watched half of Gainsbourg. And while I'm sure my husband won't care to watch the remaining half I will just out of curiosity and so far it isn't that bad.
I've heard enough bland reviews of The Descendants to now thwart any desire to see it.
Joined: Feb 2009 Gender: Male Posts: 35,187 Location: Paris, France
Re: Recent small screen viewing « Reply #939 on Jul 6, 2012, 8:24pm »
Gainsbourg is supposed to be good, but I was quite allergic to the real person, so I had no desire to see it. I do know that the actor who played him did a spectacular job -- and won the French academy award for best actor.
Joined: Jan 2013 Gender: Female Posts: 400 Location: NOLA,USA
Re: Recent small screen viewing « Reply #940 on Jul 6, 2012, 8:42pm »
I was never a fan of him either, and that's without ever having him shoved in my eyes and ears as I'm sure living in France you were K. The title of the film is Gainsbourg, A Heroic Life. It's difficult for me to summon up using the word 'heroic' to describe his particular lifestyle. They could have left that part off the title I think. The actor is quite good. I have still to finish watching the whole thing though.
Joined: Jan 2013 Gender: Female Posts: 400 Location: NOLA,USA
Re: Recent small screen viewing « Reply #941 on Jul 7, 2012, 11:18am »
Gainsbourg, A Heroic Life was excellent. I do not know for the life of me though why the subtitle 'heroic'. It's close to referring to someone like Jim Morrison being a hero. The director of the movie must have been a rabid Gainsbourg fan to call that life heroic.
Joined: Oct 2011 Gender: Female Posts: 1,241 Location: UK
Re: Recent small screen viewing « Reply #942 on Jul 8, 2012, 11:13am »
I still have not seen The Reader yet, thank you for the reminder. I am also going to put the Artist and Gainsbourg on my list.
I watched The Whistleblower last night and found it excellent although it makesharrowing viewing at times. Rachel Weisz is absolutely fantastic in her role of Kathy Balkovac.
I have been reading about her this am and finding out what happened to her in real life ( The film ends just shortly after her exposure of the corruption within the UN and within DynCorp) http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/90419....ou-to-Know.html
Joined: Feb 2009 Gender: Female Posts: 25,799 Location: Mexico
Re: Recent small screen viewing « Reply #946 on Jul 13, 2012, 3:43pm »
I like frillier stuff, me.
Oh -- I said that Once Upon a Time was "a short lived series", whereas it's really a new series with so far only one season. It should start up again in the fall.
Joined: Feb 2009 Gender: Female Posts: 4,291 Location: USA
Re: Recent small screen viewing « Reply #947 on Jul 13, 2012, 3:53pm »
I have to guage the average of what I would like and what my husband will sit through. I like the frillier stuff with my girls, which is hardly at all anymore sniff.
Joined: Oct 2011 Gender: Female Posts: 1,241 Location: UK
Re: Recent small screen viewing « Reply #948 on Jul 15, 2012, 6:30am »
Quote:
I just discovered the short-lived series Once Upon a Time. It's really fun, often funny, & quite addictive.
It does look good. I was searching yesterday to see if it is on here in the UK and discovered it is , but is now at episode 15 or so. I might still have a look, although maybe I have missed too much of the story?
Joined: Jan 2013 Gender: Female Posts: 400 Location: NOLA,USA
Re: Recent small screen viewing « Reply #949 on Jul 27, 2012, 10:56am »
I recently watched Army of Shadows, directed by Jeanne-Pierre Melville. I was riveted to the screen, blown away, and the film has stayed with me for days. I really has no idea what I was in for, having seen so very many films about WWII, the French Resistance movement, occupied France etc. Based on real life events and characters, it is a must see, positively gripping. (Made in 1969, apparently this film was not released in the US until 2006,( thirty seven years later!) I was delighted to see Simone Signoret again, I always adored her acting. What a treasure. Not for the faint of heart this film. Phew...
(Also included was a DVD with interviews and a quasi documentary of the making of the film and an interview with the director.) I did not know Melville's previous or subsequent films but am certainly going to check him out).
Joined: Jun 2012 Gender: Female Posts: 4,740 Location: Florida
Re: Recent small screen viewing « Reply #951 on Jul 27, 2012, 1:26pm »
My daughter and son in-law have moved to the Washington D.C. area so we've been watching The West Wing. I'm enjoying it all over again (also, this is a hint about my next group of photos....am getting ready to go on a road trip to DC).
Joined: Feb 2009 Gender: Female Posts: 25,799 Location: Mexico
Re: Recent small screen viewing « Reply #952 on Jul 27, 2012, 3:51pm »
Army of Shadows sounds brilliant, Casimira, although I'd have to be feeling strong to watch it, I'm sure.
Lugg -- yes, Once Upon a Time does need to be watched in sequence. Ditto Grimm, another fairy tale based series which I also enjoy.
Torchwood is good, Kerouac?
Looking forward to the promised pics, Htmb. If you can find it, check out The Powers That Be. It's somewhat too Norman Lear-ish, but David Hyde-Pierce is brilliant as a senator's suicidal son-in-law.
Joined: Feb 2009 Gender: Male Posts: 35,187 Location: Paris, France
Re: Recent small screen viewing « Reply #954 on Jul 31, 2012, 11:06am »
I have now seen all of the first season of Torchwood. I like it, with reservations. The writing is often a bit sloppy. I read that later seasons are better, so I will continue.
Joined: Feb 2009 Gender: Female Posts: 25,799 Location: Mexico
Re: Recent small screen viewing « Reply #955 on Jul 31, 2012, 4:00pm »
I am slowly but surely learning to give tv shows more than a couple of episodes worth of chance.
Re: writing ~~ Often the writing seems to follow an arc. It can begin either rather ploddingly because of the necessity of setting the background and premise. It can also be almost too snappy, in a frenetic attempt to capture the audience right away. In either case, for good shows it generally evens out to nicely paced, well-written & believable dialogue. And then comes the inevitable greed factor when the producers realize they have a winner. The original writers are jettisoned & hacks are brought in to put together sound bites left over from when the show was really good. At this time previous character developments are thrown out the window, leaving the audience to think their favorite players have been taken over by alien entities.
I love it when a show is clipping along so well that the actors feel emboldened to put in ad libs. I heard a good one in Once Upon a Time. Snow White has agreed to meet the Evil Queen & is divesting herself of all her weapons. Dwarf Grumpy says to her, "At least keep the little knife between your muffins."
Joined: Feb 2009 Gender: Male Posts: 35,187 Location: Paris, France
Re: Recent small screen viewing « Reply #957 on Aug 10, 2012, 7:42pm »
Okay, I have now watched all of Torchwood, and I have to admit that I far preferred seasons 1 and 2 to the rest of it. I was very attached to the characters, so it was very upsetting to see what happened to them as the story progressed. Season 3 "Children of Earth" has another awful tragedy in it, but the story line itself did not captivate me because the minute I am forced to watch politicians in action, I can't stand it (which is why I never watched The West Wing and have no desire to do so -- yes, I know it is excellent, but I just hate anything to do with political power and wheeling and dealing unless it is very short, i.e. contained in one movie and not drawn out endlessly). As for season 4 "Miracle Day," I'm sorry but changing the main action to the U.S. just because a U.S. cable channel paid for most of it pretty much ruined the whole experience for me. And all of the CIA stuff is as repellent to me as political intrigue (and pretty much identical in the end). There were plenty of gripping cliffhangers and I was totally caught up, but once it was finished, I instantly found myself obsessed with all of the holes in the plot -- and they were infinite in number. Naturally, the finale was open-ended to allow for a possible continuation, but I am quite relieved that apparently nobody has come forward with the cash.
My advice for anybody who watches: once you start, you have to see the whole thing, but prepare to be increasingly disappointed as it continues after season 2.
Joined: Feb 2009 Gender: Female Posts: 4,291 Location: USA
Re: Recent small screen viewing « Reply #958 on Aug 12, 2012, 1:56pm »
We've seen two Italian movies lately that happened to share a couple of actors:
Vincere (2009), excellent historical drama about a woman who remained obsessed with Benito Mussolini long after he discarded her. The actress Giovanna Mezzogiorno is terrific, also Filippo Timi as Mussolini before his Il Duce days. Newsreel footage is great.
Timi was also in The Double Hour, also 2009. Man and woman meet while speed dating. There's a crime. Things aren't what they seem.
Joined: Feb 2009 Gender: Female Posts: 3,224 Location: Greenest UK
Re: Recent small screen viewing « Reply #959 on Aug 12, 2012, 2:59pm »
When Torchwood first appeared on our screens I still had access to a TV. It was presented as Dr Who for adults, with plenty of naughtiness as you must have noticed.
I do have a good recollection of seasons 1 and 2. not sure I saw anything after that. loved it at the time. And it made a TV star of the gorgeous John Barrowman.
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