posted on December 20, 2005 08:32:36 PM new
Okay here goes, my third attempt at a civil, neutral, no mud bath thread..
I rented 9, yes nine movies to watch over the Christmas Holidays. I'm hoping that at least a few won't be stinkers.
I've also just received 21 new books to read!
I'd like to have a spare set of eyes to be able to devour them faster. LOL
The movies I rented are:
Suspect Zero
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Ladies in Lavender
November
silence Becomes You
War of the Worlds
Yes
Pretty Persuasion
Walk to remember
posted on December 20, 2005 09:35:48 PM new
Mags - Nine DVDs and no West Wing? Shame on you!
Haven't seen anything on your list but Suspect Zero reminded me of Citizen X? Ever seen it? It's about the search for Russias worst serial killer (kileed 53 kids over 8 years) with Stephen Rea as the detective that hunts him. More a story about the detective and the midset of the Russian sytem at the time ("This is the Soviet Union, serial killers can only exist in decadent imperilist capitalist systems"" than about the killer himself. Really interesting movie.
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An intelligent deaf-mute is better than an ignorant person who can speak.
posted on December 20, 2005 10:09:41 PM new
Hi, I saw these
Suspect Zero really pretty good movie.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory nothing like a remake but was good anyway. The wife loves Depp.
I think we saw this one---Walk to remember
but not sure of that, I may have been comatose at that one. LOL
Maybe I should get some movies for my better I mean other half and hope she leaves me alone on the football I like to watch.
Good luck with all that viewing and reading as the eyes may give out. Of course I should not talk about viewing as the PC and the football keep me viewing.
posted on December 21, 2005 12:32:54 AM new
I've seen "Charlie and the Chocolate Factory" and "War of the Worlds."
Wasn't too impressed with either.
I love Johnny Depp and he does turn in an interesting performance in this film, but other than that--the Oompa Loompas (actually just one guy multiplied on screen) can't be understood when they sing,and the kid actors leave a LOT to be desired.
I had really looked forward to "War of the Worlds" but it turned out to be a mish mash of a story with plot holes you could drive a truck through. And the Dakota Fanning character gets on your nerves in a very short time, as they have her whining and screaming throughout the film. Great special effects, though.
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posted on December 21, 2005 12:54:30 AM new
Sorry, Maggie, I'm not a movie goer..too much money for mostly junk....and I can't sit still that long....need a good book to read with every movie I kinda watch
Used to read lots of murder mysteries but tired of the same old, same old....woman, with cats, in catering who solves crime with the help of her ex-football player devastatingly handsome detective boyfriend.
(No kidding, the last time I was at the library I picked up two mysteries and BOTH jacket blurbs described the boyfriend as devastatingly handsome...kinda like "it was a dark and stormy night" BBLLECHH!)
Hillerman was fun for a while but kept writing the same book over and over.
Hate spy/war stuff....can anybody recommend a good mystery writer?
posted on December 21, 2005 04:50:17 AM new
I'm going to go see King Kong at some point while we're on break, just me and the kids.
Also plan to re-read a few favorite books, Gabriel Garcia Marquez and/or Cormac McCarthy.
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Habla siempre que debas y calla siempre que puedas....
posted on December 21, 2005 05:38:46 AM new
The only one on that list I saw was War of The Worlds, which was so-so. It seemed pretty good at the theater, but when I tried to rewatch it on DVD, that kid screaming all the time really annoyed the heck out of me.
There are several on your list that I've never heard of. Must be chick flicks
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Quidquid Latine dictum sit altum sonatur.
posted on December 21, 2005 06:43:58 AM new
I'm only familiar with a couple on your list that are based on books...Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl and War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells.
Thanks for mentioning McCarthy. I almost missed his latest book, "No Country For Old Men". There is a plan to make a movie based on that book in 2007.
posted on December 21, 2005 06:48:52 AM new
Wish I had time for a book or a movie over the Christmas holidays. Today, I have my granddaughter's Christmas show at school. Tonight we're going out for a Christmas dinner with my brother and his partner. I work tomorrow and have a Christmas party tomorrow night. Friday it's work and then cooking for Christmas Eve. Christmas Eve we have a party at my daughters and on Christmas we go to my mother's. I'm exhausted just thinking about it. I can't wait for it to be all over.
Saw Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I'm not crazy about Depp, but thought the movie was pretty good. I watch mainly movies that are on TCM.
Cheryl
"Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about things that matter." - Martin Luther King, Jr.
posted on December 21, 2005 08:09:28 AM new
Thanks for your input,all.
Fenix, I promise to get started on the West Wing next year! So many friends have told me that I'm missing out, not watching it.
I do watch Bones and House now, when I remember, and quite like both.
Bunni the main reason I rented Charlie and the Chocolate Factory ( a book I read to my kids when they were knee high to grasshoppers) was to see Depp. He is yummy!
And Irked, your wife has marvelous taste in men.
Mingo, I'm with you on some authors who make one great book then spend the next 20 years re-writing new versions of it..
Try Jonathan Kellerman, I've read all of his and his wife Kaye's as well. Kathy Reich is good.
I recently read The Crimson Petal and the White by Michel Faber. It was semi-pornographic, but an excellent read.
Replay, you're correct, I suspect a few of my movie choices are chick flicks.lol I'll watch those when hubby is sleeping or when he's watching his war documentaries..
Profe and Helen, your tastes are more sophisticated than mine. LOL. like eating smoked salmon or caviar good but an acquired taste.
Cheryl, you are living life to it's fullest,and obviously still have the energy to do so, have fun! This this old fart will spend the holidays in front of the fireplace with a good book and a movie, some good food and a glass of eggnog.
Bear, I missed your comment, LOL. Write about how it went and I'll be happy to read all about it.ha ha If I wasn't so busy and all I'd drive over and give you a hand.
But I'll be busy um..darning socks?
[ edited by maggiemuggins on Dec 21, 2005 08:12 AM ]
posted on December 21, 2005 08:46:36 AM new
I'll post a dissenting opinion on War of the Worlds. While I agree that the characters are not developed in any significant way and that Dakota Fanning can get a little annoying - I thought the movie was a good rental. After the first ten minutes, it is just unrelenting in terms of action. I found myself feeling a bit exhausted after it was over. Its certainly not Spielberg's best work but I still enjoyed it in the way I pretty much always enjoy a Spielberg flick - the guy just knows how to make a good movie.
Haven't seen the others on your list although Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is on my Netflix queue. I'll see just about any movie Depp is in as I think he is one of the best actors of my generation.
Just saw a disturbing movie called "The Machinist" with Christian Bale (the guy who played the most recent Batman). No way to explain the plot as its too complicated but Bale lost 60 pounds for the role as he plays a guy who has literally not slept in over a year. Its was difficult to see him that skinny (he truly looked like a holocaust survivor) but it was intensely compelling.
posted on December 21, 2005 10:38:40 AM new
I like reading really old, old, magazines and newspapers...love the ads, fashions, stories...it's like a history lesson only it's fun!
I can pretend the "good old days" really were!
posted on December 21, 2005 10:41:56 AM new
Then I need to send you the Crimson Petal and the White, to give you another side to the old days. Back in the 1800's London. Not such a pretty picture, I tell ya.
posted on December 21, 2005 10:57:43 AM new
OOOOhhh Maggie, I've read about that...really horrible....so hard to believe people lived through that, and many, of course didn't.
That's why I read the ones with pretty pictures..I just pretend it was all as beautiful and innocent as it seems in the magazine. I know the "good old days" were just as bad as today just in different ways.
posted on December 21, 2005 10:57:53 AM new
OOOOhhh Maggie, I've read about that...really horrible....so hard to believe people lived through that, and many, of course didn't.
That's why I read the ones with pretty pictures..I just pretend it was all as beautiful and innocent as it seems in the magazine. I know the "good old days" were just as bad as today just in different ways.
posted on December 21, 2005 09:00:54 PM new
Okay, I watched War of the Worlds tonight and I really liked it. Like Bunni said you couldn't try and make sense out of it, to many holes, but still good entertainment. I like that little girl, she is a fantastic little actress.
one thumb up.
posted on December 21, 2005 09:25:50 PM new
War of the Worlds was ok. Your right, Dakota Fanning is a little cutie, and a good actress, can't say much about Tom Cruise
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, I thought was good. Course I like Johnny Depp in anything
What books did you get? I have a pile here, that I need to start reading. But its going to be busy busy busy here starting tommorow, out of town relatives, airport pickups. Been cleaning this place like crazy! Then they are gone on Christmas morning, down to LA! Yes! On Christmas day going to see a movie, probably King Kong.
Here our Christmas is Christmas Eve, with big dinner and presents.
posted on December 21, 2005 09:33:11 PM new
Near, I got a ton of books but to name a few,
Midwives- Chris Bohjalian
Cane River- Lalita Tademy
Mother of Pearl- Melinda Haynes
The Sins of the Wolf- Anne Perry
The Little Friend-Donna Tartt
Have a Wonderful Christmas with your family, Near.
posted on December 21, 2005 11:44:55 PM new
Anne Perry...isn't she the one who writes about London in the 1800's ? Liked her books from long ago...good to see she has a new one out!
posted on December 22, 2005 08:38:32 AM new
One thing that rings true in the movie "War of the Worlds" was how when faced with a life threatening situation of such huge proportion, people's basic survival instincts kick in and out the window flies any and all morality, compassion, or religious beliefs to be replaced with survival of the fittest mode. I think the gang mentality and survival instinct is scarier than the Alien Invaders!
posted on December 22, 2005 01:19:56 PM new
Of all Stephen Kings movie, The Stand is my favorite. Its very long, I have it on DVD, and I think its 6 hrs (it was a mini series on tv in the early 90's)
It was pretty darn close to how the book went.
I wish I could read more. I think next year, we're going to rent a ski chalet and not tell anyone
posted on December 22, 2005 02:17:13 PM new
Helen, I just finished "No Country for Old Men", really a fun read, and it'll make a good movie...but I didn't consider it up to par with the border trilogy and my favorite of his, "Blood Meridian, or the Evening Redness in the West", compared by many to a modern day Melville. Have you read it?
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Habla siempre que debas y calla siempre que puedas....
posted on December 22, 2005 02:43:35 PM new
Profe, I agree that Blood Meridian is terrific! I bought the other book, "No Country For Old Men" yesterday but I haven't read it yet...looks like a lot of dialog so you are right that it will be an easy movie to make.
Maggie, I seldom see a movie so I'm far from "sophisticated".
posted on December 22, 2005 04:57:33 PM new
THAT'S why I quit reading so much...when I realized the books were so predictable and boring because the author was REALLY trying to write a movie!
What is "No Country for Old Men" , "Blood Meridian " about ?
posted on December 22, 2005 05:58:41 PM new
Mingo - have you tried Kathy Reichs or Patricia Cornwell? Both have lead charachters that are female forensic pathologists. Both actually are former forensic patholigists.
Cornwells earliest books are her most interesting, recently she's gotten so involved in her main charachters personal stories that it's almost as if, with 15 pages to go, she realizes that she has forgotten to solve the murder the book was supposed to be about, not that she ever really spent time fleshing out that story anyway. Stick with anything before Black Notice in the Scarpetta series.
Reichs is always good. The Fox series Bones is based on the charachters from her books but although its not a bad show, it does not do the books justice by any means.
I think someone already suggsted Jonothan Kellerman. I like his books a lot, not a big fan of his wifes. Also good are Michael Connely (the Harry Bosch series especially) and James Pattersons Alex Cross books.
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Never ask what sort if computer a guy drives. If he's a Mac user, he'll tell you. If he's not, why embarrass him? - Tom Clancy
posted on December 22, 2005 06:10:25 PM new
""Mingo - have you tried Kathy Reichs or Patricia Cornwell? Both have lead charachters that are female forensic pathologists. Both actually are former forensic patholigists.""
Thanks!
A few months ago I read a mystery about forensic pathology ...I couldn't put it down...Reich sounds familiar...maybe it was she.
I like the intrigue of murders long done, old bones, archeology, (buried treasure) and the ability to reconstruct events through pieces of almost nothing.
than about the killer himself. Really interesting movie.
I'm all lit up...
