altersteve Posted June 10, 2014 Author Posted June 10, 2014 Michael Bay produced it, didn't he? I think "Crash 'em up, smash 'em up, destroy the world in as visually-arresting a way as possible" is his modus operandi. Nope, Michael Bay had nothing to do with Edge of Tomorrow. Normally his movies don't have the kind of humanity and thoughtfulness that this one has.
thesometimesaint Posted June 12, 2014 Posted June 12, 2014 Watched "Toast" last night. Acting was excellent, Emotionally engaging. Got a good feel for the sad state of cooking in Britain in the 60's. Can't say that I really liked any of the characters.
Garden Girl Posted June 15, 2014 Posted June 15, 2014 Watched two movies today/night... Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit... Gripping, Smart, Intense is how it is described, and I can vouch for that. Very good movie... PG-13 so no language issues. Lone Survivor... left me very emotional, particularly when I watched the "Bonus" features about the actual young men who were part of this true story, and their loved ones they left behind. When I was at the rental kiosk there was a young man waiting, and I asked him if he had seen Lone Survivor and if it contained pervasive language. He told me it had "some" language... "not too much"... so I rented it. Well, there is a good portion when the men are on the special mission and come under fire that contains pervasive use of language which made me cringe... but... in the context of the story and action, it made sense and seemed true to life. This was a very moving story, and I can't express my feelings about the whole Afghan situation because it would be political, but the interviews and pictures made me weep for those very brave young men... I'm going to have to miss some very good movies in the future because of language. I've turned movies off and will have to do it again. GG
Storm Rider Posted June 15, 2014 Posted June 15, 2014 ....... Lone Survivor... left me very emotional, particularly when I watched the "Bonus" features about the actual young men who were part of this true story, and their loved ones they left behind. When I was at the rental kiosk there was a young man waiting, and I asked him if he had seen Lone Survivor and if it contained pervasive language. He told me it had "some" language... "not too much"... so I rented it. Well, there is a good portion when the men are on the special mission and come under fire that contains pervasive use of language which made me cringe... but... in the context of the story and action, it made sense and seemed true to life. This was a very moving story, and I can't express my feelings about the whole Afghan situation because it would be political, but the interviews and pictures made me weep for those very brave young men... I'm going to have to miss some very good movies in the future because of language. I've turned movies off and will have to do it again. GG I saw the movie and enjoyed it also. I work with a fellow that served and continues to serve in the special forces. He knew the individuals involved. Though he did say he enjoyed the show there were inaccuracies about the story he was unhappy with, but nothing so bad that it took away from the movie for me.
Garden Girl Posted June 15, 2014 Posted June 15, 2014 I saw the movie and enjoyed it also. I work with a fellow that served and continues to serve in the special forces. He knew the individuals involved. Though he did say he enjoyed the show there were inaccuracies about the story he was unhappy with, but nothing so bad that it took away from the movie for me. I found it interesting that, if this part is accurate, that the culture of the Afgan villagers who found Marcus had such a strong tradition that if a stranger comes into their village in need of help, they are bound to aid and protect that person and that is why the villagers protected Marcus... GG
Storm Rider Posted June 15, 2014 Posted June 15, 2014 I found it interesting that, if this part is accurate, that the culture of the Afgan villagers who found Marcus had such a strong tradition that if a stranger comes into their village in need of help, they are bound to aid and protect that person and that is why the villagers protected Marcus... GG That part of the film is/was true and accurate.
poptart Posted June 15, 2014 Posted June 15, 2014 Wreck it ralph! IT was so cute. Loved the owl city song.
Garden Girl Posted June 25, 2014 Posted June 25, 2014 Turner Classic Movies had two oldies... but really goodies... this morning... 1) "Ten North Frederick" from 1958 starring Gary Cooper, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Diane Varsi, Suzy Parker... based on the O'Hara novel... terrific story... 2) "Beloved Infidel" starring Gregory Peck, Deborah Kerr... about author F. Scott Fitzgerald... he and his wife Zelda were the toast of society in the 20's... until Zelda became mentally ill and was put in a sanitariam. Scott then went out to Hollywood where he wrote screenplays, and there he met Sheila Graham, a gossip columnist who rivaled Hedda Hopper. This part of Scott's life was up and down as he battled alcoholism and his writing was difficult. He and Sheila had a deep but stormy love affair where they would have married but for Zelda, who was hopelessly ill. Finally, Scott was living in a beach house in Malibu, CA where he was finishing his novel "The Last Tycoon." One day while writing he had a heart attack and died... never finishing Tycoon. This piqued my curiosity so I looked at my copy of the book, and toward the end found the publisher's comment... "Here the manuscript ends." And from then to the end are the notes and outline for the remaining chapters that were never finished... This morning was one of those overcast, wet mornings... so I snuggled down and thoroughly enjoyed these two terrific movies... and you know what?... no crashing cars, no "F" words, no extreme violence... just good story telling with wonderful stars from yesterday... from the beach... GG
Ron Beron Posted June 27, 2014 Posted June 27, 2014 This is a movie I hadn't even heard of let alone watch, "Odd Thomas", which is a comedy/horror film. Nice film and big surprise at the end.
Garden Girl Posted June 28, 2014 Posted June 28, 2014 I just watched the most charming movie... "A Birdwatcher's Guide to Everything." The only recognizable star was Ben Kingsley... the rest were young teen actors, but they were sooo good. This is a wonderful story for family enjoyment. Funny, touching... similar to "Stand By Me" a few years ago. GG
thesometimesaint Posted June 28, 2014 Posted June 28, 2014 Watched "Enders Game" last night. Found the CGI fantastic, but overall it was rather dystopic. Worth the watch just for psychology manipulations it presents.
LOSTONE Posted June 28, 2014 Posted June 28, 2014 The Book Thief. Is was good over all, but little to do with any concept of book stealing. More lightly about book barrowing and heavier on life under Nazi / Hitler rule in World War II. A human interest story is a good description of it. That’s okay. I am a huge history buff and WWII is always any interest of mine. I would recommend the movie to others. 4 our of 5 possible stars.
saemo Posted June 28, 2014 Posted June 28, 2014 (edited) Watched "Enders Game" last night. Found the CGI fantastic, but overall it was rather dystopic. Worth the watch just for psychology manipulations it presents.Hey, that is the last movie I watched, and ironic to GG's post right above yours, it has Ben Kingsley in it.I read the book, many years ago, and the script adaptation followed the book pretty well. Trivial, but it bugged me the dialogue used the word genocide, where the books use the word xenocide. Xenocide is the name of the third novel in the series. Edited June 28, 2014 by saemo
Deborah Posted June 28, 2014 Posted June 28, 2014 I broke down and saw the new Transformers movie. I was hesitant because of some of the reviews but I really enjoyed it. It helped to have a likeable cast. The nearly 3 hours went very quickly.
thesometimesaint Posted June 29, 2014 Posted June 29, 2014 Hey, that is the last movie I watched, and ironic to GG's post right above yours, it has Ben Kingsley in it.I read the book, many years ago, and the script adaptation followed the book pretty well.Trivial, but it bugged me the dialogue used the word genocide, where the books use the word xenocide. Xenocide is the name of the third novel in the series. I adore Ben Kingsley as an actor. He is one the greats. Haven't read any of the books. Either term works for me.
Deborah Posted July 4, 2014 Posted July 4, 2014 Saw Dinesh D'Souza's "America". Take everyone you know. Inspiring, informative and you'll leard stories you never read in the history books.
Stargazer Posted July 7, 2014 Posted July 7, 2014 It actually got me thinking a lot about what if I could go back and just do things differently. What if I could have known then what I know now. And then I realized that the fact the veil is closed is what gives us the possibility to make mistakes. If we knew what the outcome was beforehand we would do things so differently and would probably never learn the value of the lessons given us, which include why we don't want to do things the way we did. The Cruise character was not the same person at the end he was at the beginning. But he couldn't convince others of what would happen because they had to experience it for themselves. Any way not many movies of this type make me wax philosophically when they are over. Tom Cruise annoys me in so many ways. I swear I will never watch another one of his films. But then comes along The Last Samurai and The Edge of Tomorrow. Live. Die. Repeat. I could tell this was going to be Groundhog Day all over again, but this was GHD To The Max. I saw it in 3D, and the film doesn't need it. I don't remember the 3D, only the film itself. I am so sorry that I have seen it once, because now it will never be the first time again (since I know the outcome). Man that is a well-made film. Amazing.
Garden Girl Posted July 7, 2014 Posted July 7, 2014 Tom Cruise annoys me in so many ways. I swear I will never watch another one of his films. But then comes along The Last Samurai and The Edge of Tomorrow. He does me too, but The Last Samurai was a wonderful film... the final battle scene when the Samurai fought with such honor but were all killed made me cry... and I appreciated the acknowledgement they received from the soldiers... the code of honor and ethics of the Samurai... GG
Stargazer Posted July 7, 2014 Posted July 7, 2014 He does me too, but The Last Samurai was a wonderful film... the final battle scene when the Samurai fought with such honor but were all killed made me cry... and I appreciated the acknowledgement they received from the soldiers... the code of honor and ethics of the Samurai... GG Although I would be remiss if I didn't caution you that The Last Samurai portrayed an idealized version of the Samurai. They weren't moral or ethical supermen by any stretch of the imagination. 1
Garden Girl Posted July 7, 2014 Posted July 7, 2014 (edited) Although I would be remiss if I didn't caution you that The Last Samurai portrayed an idealized version of the Samurai. They weren't moral or ethical supermen by any stretch of the imagination. I hate it when movies do that... I haven't studied the Samurai per se, so was easily influenced... I know that Japanese culture put great stock in honor to the point of committing suicide if they were dishonored, etc. so that too enabled me to be influenced. When my husband returned from WWII after occupying Japan for several months after the war ended, he brought with him several souvenirs, including a Samurai sword... which he sold in San Fran just prior to our moving up here at retirement. I think that when a movie is portraying a people or a culture they should at least stay close to reality in basic facts. For instance... years ago I saw a movie starring Doris Day as Calamity Jane and Howard Keel as Wild Bill Hickok... I knew who they were and their connection to the west, and that their names were always linked... so in the movie it showed them getting married... so I thought they were married. I mean, who would say that two such famous persons were married if they weren't... Hollywood, that's who. Several years later we took a vacation across the U.S. and stopped in Deadwood, S.D. where Hickok was murdered while playing a hand of poker (Aces and Eights). We saw the graves of Calamity and Hickok side by side... so imagine my surprise when going through the local museum to find out they weren't married at all... He was married to a woman back East... even though he was always linked to Calamity and Deadwood. GG Edited July 8, 2014 by Garden Girl
Stargazer Posted July 8, 2014 Posted July 8, 2014 (edited) I hate it when movies do that... I haven't studied the Samurai per se, so was easily influenced... I know that Japanese culture put great stock in honor to the point of committing suicide if they were dishonored, etc. so that too enabled me to be influenced. When my husband returned from WWII after occupying Japan for several months after the war ended, he brought with him several souvenirs, including a Samurai sword... which he sold in San Fran just prior to our moving up here at retirement. I think that when a movie is portraying a people or a culture they should at least stay close to reality in basic facts. For instance... years ago I saw a movie starring Doris Day as Calamity Jane and Howard Keel as Wild Bill Hickok... I knew who they were and their connection to the west, and that their names were always linked... so in the movie it showed them getting married... so I thought they were married. I mean, who would say that two such famous persons were married if they weren't... Hollywood, that's who. Several years later we took a vacation across the U.S. and stopped in Deadwood, S.D. where Hickok was murdered while playing a hand of poker (Aces and Eights). We saw the graves of Calamity and Hickok side by side... so imagine my surprise when going through the local museum to find out they weren't married at all... He was married to a woman back East... even though he was always linked to Calamity and Deadwood. GGYes, movie makers tend to make things up if they think it improves the story. Sometimes it does!The Last Samurai remains one of my most favorite films. I love watching it, and I enjoy considering the morality and ethics that the idealized portrait of Bushido presents. Even though some of those ethics and morality are highly dissonant from a Western, and especially a Gospel point of view. Nathan Algren is a completely fictitious US officer: I ignore the fact that it was actually a French officer, Jules Brunet, who was involved with one Samurai rebel (a rebel who was ultimately not killed in battle, but who helped found the modern Japanese navy). The story is just too good and well-produced to let little quibbles like historical fact to get in the way.One of my favorite scenes is unarmed Captain Algren in the streets of Tokyo dispatching four or five simultaneous assailants: Edited July 8, 2014 by Stargazer 1
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now