At the flicks

Hey CynB, I'll read it! Actually I thought the movie wasn't as bad as I was expecting, but then my expectations were rock-bottom. JR was her usual annoying self (sorry Terry), JB was his usual hunky self, though with far too many tears, the story was pure Hollywood-meets-self-indulgent-NY, so there were no surprises there. The scenery was great, the food pics were lovely and if it were on tv on a wet afternoon, it would pass the time (though I would still want to slap JR).
I believe the real-life Indonesian healers are being inundated with middle-aged females seeking a similar epiphany, but there are only so many JBs and PC has snagged him already!

Hey CynB, I loved the article, but as I said it's pure Hollywood-meets-self-indulgent-NY, you know what to expect. That so many people think it's earth-shattering is a sad reflection on their intelligence, education, desperation and depth.

Hi all, I'm hoping to see "The Girl who played with fire" this weekend after a re-watch of "T Girl W T Dragon Tattoo". All will be in the comfort of my lounge - amazing what a young person can download. After that there is "The Girl who kicked the Hornets Nest". Apparently they all came out in Sweeden in 2009 so are available(?) on the net. Sssh! You didn't hear me say that.
Review coming but if it's as good as Pt 1, then Pt 3 will be seen sooner rather than later.

Excellent news, Victoria. I heard that they are a tad violent...what is your opinion? I enjoyed the books and will avoid the Hollywood remake like the plague.
I think a young person is a useful commodity...I have one or two myself and they can come in very handy...

As an antidote to Please Give, try City Island. The plot's more than a little contrived, but Andy Garcia is so fun to watch when he's in Wacky Guy mode, I didn't care.

And, no, Mary, I am NOT letting the slams to my beloved JR slide. I am stewing and planning my revenge.

Casting for US version of the Trilogy looks hopeful. Daniel Craig? Come on, Mary, you couldn't possibly hate it!

Did I hear the news correctly that a brother of SL was talking about the 4th book? I thought the gf had the rights to his writings (since she got next to nothing else, and isn't there speculation that she helped more than a little to pen the 1st 3?).

Hey Terry, JR plays a very good JR, I'll credit her for that, and she does a good soulful gaze (admittedly a few too many in this particular flick, but that's more the fault of the scriptwriters, isn't it?)
Daniel Craig? Well maybe I could change my mind...though I do prefer to watch the originals.
Interesting news if you are correct, though I always thought a trilogy meant...ummm three????

If I understand correctly, SL outlined a 10-parter. The 1st three were parts of one really big book. Some were more fleshed out than others, but I thought it wouldn't take much to turn the 4th into a finished book.

A 4th I could see, but 10? The trilogy seemed to reach a fitting conclusion, I guess he was then continuing a series focusing on his pet themes. Pity he isn't here to finish them. I wonder if it really is so crime ridden in Scandanavia?

I wondered the same thing, Mary. If it is, I don't even want to think what's going on my my country!

A serial killer round every corner, Terry! I like crime stories, but I am so sick of writers dreaming up ever more outrageous methods of dispatch (and describing them in loving detail) amid ever increasing piles of gore. And don't get me started on the TV franchises....What is wrong with an intricate plot, well-rounded characters and the use of imagination? OMG...I'm sounding like my mother!!!

here here Mary... Like you I prefer 'the intricate plot, well-rounded characters and the use of imagination'!

Hey there Rolanda, I just had to come and see...Rolanda at the flix???? Shoulda known....(but you can come on and agree with me any time you like!!!)

Hi, Rolanda! Speaking of nicely-drawn characters, I logged on to recommend a movie I can't believe I missed for fifteen years: Home for the Holidays, with Holly Hunter, directed by Jodie Foster. I treated myself today as the dreaded election results loom ominously on the horizon (Where is the American SL?). You know I love movies that love their characters, and this is one. Even the most unlikable character, whom the critics uniformly didn't get, touched me. She's so relatable with her rage toward her sibs who've had the courage to go out into the world and be who they are, thrive when they succeed, and survive when they fail. Highly recommend viewing before your next family gathering.

I just posted the following on SA and realised I should have posted here:
We're just home from seeing the movie 'The Social Network' which we liked. But, I'm convinced that some of the audience just looked at the ads and said 'oh, it's about FB' and went along. It was way over their heads and they were noisy and obnoxious until one by one they left in disgust. That's the trouble with seeing movies at the weekend - the bogan factor! (Terry - for 'bogan', read 'redneck')
Those actors in the main roles, even JT, were excellent, especially the one playing Mark Zuckerberg.

Hey CynB, glad you came here to post! The Bogan Factor is one reason I avoid multiplexes...they let in just anyone! Though those agressive oldies in the Arthouses could teach them a thing or two!! OMG...I'm one of them!!!! Seriously, the ads for TSN were what put me off seeing it...it's about FB. Glad you enjoyed it...I haven't been to the flix for a while, nothing has leapt out to grab me. PIAF starts soon, so maybe there'll be some interesting foreign movies coming up....balmy summer nights, tree-shrouded outdoor cinemas, quality movies...bliss.

Mary - the BIFF is on at the moment and the featured film is a locally made one about - cane toads!!! Reviewers say it's great but, to be honest, I don't fancy it!
Oh, and about TSN - whether it's about FB or not, it is very interesting.
I must be one of the 'aggressive oldies' because hubby almost had to hold me in my seat, I wanted to go down there and tell them off!

Oh, CynB, a film about cane toads...I can't wait!!! You go, girl...giv'em whatfor!!!

Yeah, go. What are you, a woosie? I'm tired of being the only behavior monitor at the cinema.

Let's all push our zimmer frames into their ankles.....

It's not so much a zimmer frame I need - it's help getting up and (more so) down the steps in cinemas. I really feel my age then.
But I could just slip my foot out and trip those that annoy me up. Would that be considered bad form?

ummmmm, let me think about that for a mo....nope!!!!

Won free tix to Agora. A tad violent for me and I didn't 'enjoy' it much, but I found the haunting last images affected me. RW was very good. The direction was a bit strange, but I could see what he was getting at, I think. Reaffirmed my aversion to religious fundamentalists of every kind and misogyny in all its many forms. Not a flic for a fun night out!

Speaking of fun nights out...and I was..a bit of a soliloquy on here at times...PIAF has started and the balmy nights out under the stars beckon. I hope to start the summer outdoor festival with Rare Exports: a Christmas Tale, a dark Finnish comedy with evil Santas and AK47 wielding old naked elves....

Terry, read a review for a 'romcom with b*lls' called 'Love and Other Drugs'. It got a high rating, 4/5, from a respected reviewer who is wary of stock standard Hollywood fare. It stars Jake G and your favourite Anne H. It has 'witty banter', a serious side, great acting and a sparkling connection between the leads. Who knows...I may even see it myself!

I'm back. Sorry, Mary. I'm ashamed to say I've not seen LAOD but a) I would pay the price of admission to watch the two of them, and b) she, in particular, seems to be choosing scripts that give her something "real" to do (If you haven't seen Rachel getting married, I highly recommend.) imdb.com crowd seems less than overwhelmed, though 6.6 out of 10 is solid for them.

I've seen reviews that were less than impressive, but from main-stream reviewers who appear to dislike anything outside the square. I've yet to see it, but anything with an intelligent script appeals to me.

Don't quote me re script. I'm assuming it's interesting because the two of them like to stretch. (Think Brokeback Mountain. Love it or hate it, it was really gutsy for JG to do at that point in his career. [Moment of silence, please, for the great HL.])

Silence taken. It is strange to reflect on the impact that movie had when it came out...(note the pun?). It was certainly an eye-opener, and, as you say, very courageous for the actors.

Saw 2 movies this weekend after a long hiatus. The King's Speech was, as expected, a lovely historical drama, impeccably acted by a wonderful array of actors. The only downside was seeing Anthony Andrews as the old man he is now (sob).
The other movie was Sarah's Key, another historical piece, this time from France. KST was her usual luminous self (piece to ponder: does she look so fabulous BECAUSE she lived in France or would she have aged so magnificently even if she had stayed in England?). The interesting thing was that this movie focused on the forced removal of Jewish people by the French, not a Nazi in sight. I like movies/books that link between the past and the present and I enjoyed this one.

Sarah's Key was the last book I read. An eye opener and, in retrospect, a bit of history I'd rather not have known.

Speaking of Brokeback Mountain and HL (weren't we?), Michelle Williams is getting rave reviews for Blue Valentine. The movie, according to reviews, isn't perfect, but is generally well received, and I, of course, love Ryan Gosling, her costar. But I'm gratified to see that though he's considered one of the great American actors of his generation, she's getting better reviews than he is. She was so dignfied and appropriate when HL died, protecting his memory and her child. I became her fan for life.

Speaking of BM, I've just seen a wonderful performance by the delectable CF. It was the dvd of A Single Man. Mighty fine acting, shoulda gotta gong, but the Academy knows nuttin'.

P.S SOMEBODY saw THREE (3) movies lately and HASN'T SAID A WORD!!!! Rolanda...we know you are out there!!!!

Maybe not the best choice of words after the BM references....

3 movies in 3 weeks, whilst on Holidays.
#1: Johnny and Angie's movie: set in beautiful Venice, AJ wears gorgeous gowns, JD plays ordinary a Character. an OK movie, not going to win an gong.
#2: 3rd sequel to the 'Meet the Parents', this movie is like the first two, all about BS and RdN Characters, also not going to win an gong.
#3: Wonderful performance by the Delectable CF playing a Royal, with the Talented GR giving him speech lessons.. Should win a gong. Excellent Movie.

Mary

Rolanda