Films
Moderator: The forum police - (nee naw)
- plummy
- Friend of the Free Spirits web site 2020
- Posts: 8324
- Joined: Fri Jul 07, 2006 8:17 am
- I row on...: Model E with PM4
- Location: Sale, Cheshire, UK
Re: Films
Kids film - Wreck it Ralph - loved it
60 yrs old, 82kg, 5' 10"
43Mm metres rowed. Re-setting the bar much lower now. Getting too old and brittle for this malarky
43Mm metres rowed. Re-setting the bar much lower now. Getting too old and brittle for this malarky
- CamiCrew
- Friend of the Free Spirits web site 2017
- Posts: 1138
- Joined: Wed Jan 12, 2011 8:59 pm
- I row on...: Model D with PM5
- Location: California, USA
Re: Films
My recent favorite was "20 Feet from Stardom." American documentary on background singers. Fascinating look at what it means to be the talent in the spotlight versus the incredible talents that are (by choice or otherwise) just outside the spotlight, and the money, etc. I didn't realize how often the same background singer will work for multiple big names. And... and... and... there were so many interesting things I learned from this movie but I don't want to give it all away. I saw it in the theater but I'll seek it out to watch again another day at home.
-barbara
F Hwt 53 yrs 5'10"
F Hwt 53 yrs 5'10"
- Paul Victory
- Friend of the Free Spirits web site 2016
- Posts: 10616
- Joined: Mon Jul 10, 2006 9:29 pm
- I row on...: Model E with PM4
- Location: Dublin
Re: Films
Saw Silver Linings Playbook on TV this week. Fairly daft movie, but I enjoyed and Jennifer Lawrence was great. I watched her post Oscars press conference on YouTube afterwards - hilarious. She comes across as hugely likeable and down to earth.
M 68 6'1" 124kg (May05), 92kg (Feb06), 122kg (Aug10), 95kg (Sep11), 117kg (Jun13), now 98kg
- webberg
- Super Dedicated and Truly Free Spirit
- Posts: 2597
- Joined: Tue Jul 04, 2006 7:48 am
- I row on...: Model D with PM3
- Location: near Andover, Hants
Re: Films
Cami, if you want an alternative on backing singers and groups etc, watch The Sapphires. Story about an Aussie girl group and their manager who get a gig entertaining troops in Vietnam. Funny and quite touching at the same time.
As I may have mentioned, our eldest is at Uni studying to be a film script writer. Consequently we get to see a lot of films. His latest indie films recommended include Garden State and Safety Not Guaranteed.
Mainstream wise, he rates Gravity and Philomena.
Not film but TV - we're going through Elementary (US version of Sherlock) very fast. Whilst it's a bit more frantic than Sherlock because each episode is 48 minutes and there are many in the season as opposed to Sherlock's 3 x 90 minute season, it is VERY GOOD. Johnny Lee Miller in the title role is especially good.
As I may have mentioned, our eldest is at Uni studying to be a film script writer. Consequently we get to see a lot of films. His latest indie films recommended include Garden State and Safety Not Guaranteed.
Mainstream wise, he rates Gravity and Philomena.
Not film but TV - we're going through Elementary (US version of Sherlock) very fast. Whilst it's a bit more frantic than Sherlock because each episode is 48 minutes and there are many in the season as opposed to Sherlock's 3 x 90 minute season, it is VERY GOOD. Johnny Lee Miller in the title role is especially good.
Uphill to the finish
ID 140904
ID 140904
- CamiCrew
- Friend of the Free Spirits web site 2017
- Posts: 1138
- Joined: Wed Jan 12, 2011 8:59 pm
- I row on...: Model D with PM5
- Location: California, USA
Re: Films
Sapphires, saw its run go by but didn't catch it at the time. Will check it out for sure. Great other recommendations. And Silver Linings too, not in a hurry to see it but good to know it's enjoyable!
-barbara
F Hwt 53 yrs 5'10"
F Hwt 53 yrs 5'10"
- Paul Victory
- Friend of the Free Spirits web site 2016
- Posts: 10616
- Joined: Mon Jul 10, 2006 9:29 pm
- I row on...: Model E with PM4
- Location: Dublin
Re: Films
Our youngest is also doing film studies and gives us lots of recommendations. We went to see Gravity because he was raving about it so much and were slightly disappointed. We thought it was a good movie, but I guess our expectations were sky high. He didn't like Silver Linings Playbook at all, but Jennifer and I both enjoyed it.webberg wrote:Cami, if you want an alternative on backing singers and groups etc, watch The Sapphires. Story about an Aussie girl group and their manager who get a gig entertaining troops in Vietnam. Funny and quite touching at the same time.
As I may have mentioned, our eldest is at Uni studying to be a film script writer. Consequently we get to see a lot of films. His latest indie films recommended include Garden State and Safety Not Guaranteed.
Mainstream wise, he rates Gravity and Philomena.
Not film but TV - we're going through Elementary (US version of Sherlock) very fast. Whilst it's a bit more frantic than Sherlock because each episode is 48 minutes and there are many in the season as opposed to Sherlock's 3 x 90 minute season, it is VERY GOOD. Johnny Lee Miller in the title role is especially good.
I also enjoy Elementary. I started watching it towards the end of series one and I agree that Jonny Lee Miller is excellent. Also starting watching Sherlock this season. I've seen episode one and recorded episode two. I think I prefer the US version.
I saw Argo last night. I thought it was OK, but wasn't blown away by it.
M 68 6'1" 124kg (May05), 92kg (Feb06), 122kg (Aug10), 95kg (Sep11), 117kg (Jun13), now 98kg
- webberg
- Super Dedicated and Truly Free Spirit
- Posts: 2597
- Joined: Tue Jul 04, 2006 7:48 am
- I row on...: Model D with PM3
- Location: near Andover, Hants
Re: Films
Paul, have to disagree on Elementary and Sherlock as I much prefer the UK version.
Gravity I've not seen but my family rate it.
Argo I have watched perhaps 30 minutes off and then had to turn it off. Aside from the very noticeable lack of historic accuracy, where was the sense of danger or tension or fear of the unknown that makes good drama?
Obvious from about minute 15 what the outcome was going to be and lost all tension at that point. Couldn't and probably never will watch it to the end.
Compare with No Country for Old Men which I think is fantastic.
Gravity I've not seen but my family rate it.
Argo I have watched perhaps 30 minutes off and then had to turn it off. Aside from the very noticeable lack of historic accuracy, where was the sense of danger or tension or fear of the unknown that makes good drama?
Obvious from about minute 15 what the outcome was going to be and lost all tension at that point. Couldn't and probably never will watch it to the end.
Compare with No Country for Old Men which I think is fantastic.
Uphill to the finish
ID 140904
ID 140904
- Thomas W-P
- Best Friend (PayPal Subscriber)
- Posts: 5093
- Joined: Mon Jul 03, 2006 8:44 pm
- I row on...: Model C with PM3
- Location: Newport, Essex
- Contact:
Re: Films
I thought Silver Linings Playbook was a brilliant film. Great acting and story. I do like a bit of dance. JL is a brilliant actress and carries Hunger Games films superbly. Also easy on the eye!
LOVED Gravity. Had high expectations (physics teacher!) and it pretty much lived up to it (apart from the necessary silliness).
Have to say I like both Elementary and Sherlock. Elementary is genius in how cheap it is to make, Sherlock is genius at how expensive and such good value for both. Sherlock has done the impossible and dragged my 13 year old daughter's attention away from Harry Potter. She now has OCD ("Obsessive Cumberbach Disorder") according to her...
LOVED Gravity. Had high expectations (physics teacher!) and it pretty much lived up to it (apart from the necessary silliness).
Have to say I like both Elementary and Sherlock. Elementary is genius in how cheap it is to make, Sherlock is genius at how expensive and such good value for both. Sherlock has done the impossible and dragged my 13 year old daughter's attention away from Harry Potter. She now has OCD ("Obsessive Cumberbach Disorder") according to her...
- Paul Victory
- Friend of the Free Spirits web site 2016
- Posts: 10616
- Joined: Mon Jul 10, 2006 9:29 pm
- I row on...: Model E with PM4
- Location: Dublin
Re: Films
Went to see 12 Years a Slave at the weekend. I thought it was excellently made and very thought provoking. It really brought home the evils of slavery and showed how even ordinary, otherwise decent, people could become slave owners and not realise that what they were dong was totally abhorrent.
I saw all three episodes of this year's Sherlock and it's growing on me, but I still think I prefer Elementary (although maybe that's because I've been watching it from series 1, whereas I've only seen the current series of Sherlock).
I saw all three episodes of this year's Sherlock and it's growing on me, but I still think I prefer Elementary (although maybe that's because I've been watching it from series 1, whereas I've only seen the current series of Sherlock).
M 68 6'1" 124kg (May05), 92kg (Feb06), 122kg (Aug10), 95kg (Sep11), 117kg (Jun13), now 98kg
- Gregor Andrews
- True Free Spirit
- Posts: 769
- Joined: Tue Jul 04, 2006 2:24 pm
- I row on...: Model D with PM5
- Location: Milan, Italy
Re: Films
My girlfriend Emma admitted to me this week that she'd never seen Footloose : http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0087277/
So we watched it the other night - I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I remeber going to the cinema in 1984 and dancing home with friends after it had finished but I thought I'd find it a bit naff and outdated now.
Also I forgot Chris Penn was in the film (he was superb) and I spotted a young tiny Sarah Jessica Parker too.
some brilliantly cheesy tunes makes it all the more amusing now. 7/10
On a totally different theme, the second series of Utopia just finished. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2384811/?ref_=nv_sr_1
I'm not sure if anyone here will have seen it but it's amazing. I love everything about it. Superb acting, well written, plenty of surprises in the plot.
So we watched it the other night - I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it. I remeber going to the cinema in 1984 and dancing home with friends after it had finished but I thought I'd find it a bit naff and outdated now.
Also I forgot Chris Penn was in the film (he was superb) and I spotted a young tiny Sarah Jessica Parker too.
some brilliantly cheesy tunes makes it all the more amusing now. 7/10
On a totally different theme, the second series of Utopia just finished. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2384811/?ref_=nv_sr_1
I'm not sure if anyone here will have seen it but it's amazing. I love everything about it. Superb acting, well written, plenty of surprises in the plot.
6'6" 1971
- plummy
- Friend of the Free Spirits web site 2020
- Posts: 8324
- Joined: Fri Jul 07, 2006 8:17 am
- I row on...: Model E with PM4
- Location: Sale, Cheshire, UK
Re: Films
Mad Max Fury Road - went to see it this afternoon and it's completely insane bonkers - loved it for that
60 yrs old, 82kg, 5' 10"
43Mm metres rowed. Re-setting the bar much lower now. Getting too old and brittle for this malarky
43Mm metres rowed. Re-setting the bar much lower now. Getting too old and brittle for this malarky
- webberg
- Super Dedicated and Truly Free Spirit
- Posts: 2597
- Joined: Tue Jul 04, 2006 7:48 am
- I row on...: Model D with PM3
- Location: near Andover, Hants
Re: Films
My children are cinema fanatics (one has recently finished a screen writing Uni course and one wants to work in film marketing and one wants to work in film SFX), but as the two elder ones are away for various reasons, I'm being forced to take the youngest (15) to the cinema to watch things he wants to see.
Saw the final Hunger Games film yesterday.
I was not a willing viewer. I think the books that the films are based on have plagarised Battle Royale and have a moral issue with enriching the author. I have no time for the lead actress who I think is wooden and just not very good. The story has so many plot holes as to be embarrassing. It's at least 40 minutes longer than it needs to be. Some of the plot devices are like something you'd find in a kids cartoon. It "ended" at least 3 times.
Good bits? I liked the beginning and the end but they were too far apart.
Not a fan. I will not be adding to the 72% this film apparently scores on Rotten Tomatoes.
Saw the final Hunger Games film yesterday.
I was not a willing viewer. I think the books that the films are based on have plagarised Battle Royale and have a moral issue with enriching the author. I have no time for the lead actress who I think is wooden and just not very good. The story has so many plot holes as to be embarrassing. It's at least 40 minutes longer than it needs to be. Some of the plot devices are like something you'd find in a kids cartoon. It "ended" at least 3 times.
Good bits? I liked the beginning and the end but they were too far apart.
Not a fan. I will not be adding to the 72% this film apparently scores on Rotten Tomatoes.
Uphill to the finish
ID 140904
ID 140904
- plummy
- Friend of the Free Spirits web site 2020
- Posts: 8324
- Joined: Fri Jul 07, 2006 8:17 am
- I row on...: Model E with PM4
- Location: Sale, Cheshire, UK
Re: Films
I disliked the first one so much I never bothered with any of the follow ups - I certainly won't be "paying" to watch them but may dip in when they are free to TV.
60 yrs old, 82kg, 5' 10"
43Mm metres rowed. Re-setting the bar much lower now. Getting too old and brittle for this malarky
43Mm metres rowed. Re-setting the bar much lower now. Getting too old and brittle for this malarky
- webberg
- Super Dedicated and Truly Free Spirit
- Posts: 2597
- Joined: Tue Jul 04, 2006 7:48 am
- I row on...: Model D with PM3
- Location: near Andover, Hants
Re: Films
I'd agree and as I missed out on some of the series, perhaps I didn't get all I could from it, but frankly it's poor.
I don't get why the media is so into whatever the actress is called. Ok, she's averagely pretty but she has two expressions, bland and empty, and moves like Pinnochio.
Anyway - I have booked to see Star Wars at a 3D IMAX in Christmas week and now hope that my faith that even Disney cannot spoil the franchise (although the 4/5/6 films were BAAAAAAAADDDDD) is going to be repaid.
we'll see
I don't get why the media is so into whatever the actress is called. Ok, she's averagely pretty but she has two expressions, bland and empty, and moves like Pinnochio.
Anyway - I have booked to see Star Wars at a 3D IMAX in Christmas week and now hope that my faith that even Disney cannot spoil the franchise (although the 4/5/6 films were BAAAAAAAADDDDD) is going to be repaid.
we'll see
Uphill to the finish
ID 140904
ID 140904
- Paul Victory
- Friend of the Free Spirits web site 2016
- Posts: 10616
- Joined: Mon Jul 10, 2006 9:29 pm
- I row on...: Model E with PM4
- Location: Dublin
Re: Films
Jennifer and I went to see the latest Star Wars movie this evening. It was very true to the original movie in feel and the 135 minutes certainly passed quickly. Neither of us was blown away by it, but I'm glad we went to see it. Now we don't have to worry about inadvertently reading any spoilers.
Paul V
Paul V
M 68 6'1" 124kg (May05), 92kg (Feb06), 122kg (Aug10), 95kg (Sep11), 117kg (Jun13), now 98kg
- webberg
- Super Dedicated and Truly Free Spirit
- Posts: 2597
- Joined: Tue Jul 04, 2006 7:48 am
- I row on...: Model D with PM3
- Location: near Andover, Hants
Re: Films
Go and see Bridge of Spies.
Great story and very good performances from Hanks and Rylance, the second especially.
Typical Spielberg schmaltz in places and some clumsy stuff (always warm and sunny in USA but cold and snowing in Germany) but overall a decent rendition.
Star Wars tomorrow.
Great story and very good performances from Hanks and Rylance, the second especially.
Typical Spielberg schmaltz in places and some clumsy stuff (always warm and sunny in USA but cold and snowing in Germany) but overall a decent rendition.
Star Wars tomorrow.
Uphill to the finish
ID 140904
ID 140904
- Recess
- Friend of the Free Spirits web site 2015
- Posts: 668
- Joined: Mon Oct 14, 2013 1:35 pm
- I row on...: Model D with PM5
- Location: Glasgow
- Contact:
Re: Films
I went to see Star Wars 'The Force Awakens' this afternoon.
I'm going back to see it again on Wednesday.
I'm going back to see it again on Wednesday.
It's not how far you go... It's how go you far.
Follow my training blog as I try to break a world record: http://johntherower.com
Follow my training blog as I try to break a world record: http://johntherower.com
- JonT
- Friend of the Free Spirits web site 2020
- Posts: 1982
- Joined: Tue Nov 11, 2014 2:31 pm
- I row on...: Model D with PM5
- Location: Bath, Somerset, UK
Re: Films
I was really looking forward to seeing it and I really didn't enjoy it at all. It just struck me a pasting together all the bits that they knew Star Wars fans would like and doing it with almost no imagination. I also thought the acting from the two new leads was really quite poor. And for god's sake why didn't they just disguise the damn robot!?Recess wrote:I went to see Star Wars 'The Force Awakens' this afternoon.
I'm going back to see it again on Wednesday.
Sorry!
Jon
57 years old, 5"10', clinging on to 75kg and frustratingly but understandably inconsistent
- Recess
- Friend of the Free Spirits web site 2015
- Posts: 668
- Joined: Mon Oct 14, 2013 1:35 pm
- I row on...: Model D with PM5
- Location: Glasgow
- Contact:
I wonder if all of that will reveal itself tomorrow when I see it again. But, yesterday I went in with the eyes of the 7 year old boy who loved the originals and loved it!
John
John
It's not how far you go... It's how go you far.
Follow my training blog as I try to break a world record: http://johntherower.com
Follow my training blog as I try to break a world record: http://johntherower.com
- webberg
- Super Dedicated and Truly Free Spirit
- Posts: 2597
- Joined: Tue Jul 04, 2006 7:48 am
- I row on...: Model D with PM3
- Location: near Andover, Hants
Re: Films
I'm with Jon on this one.
Either Disney lost their nerve and gave Star Wars fans a rehash of the best bits and the next two will be no different, or (even worse) they've allowed Lucas to continue his one paced and bland writing habits to take control and produced this film.
Can't say that I'll be acquiring the DVD when it appears.
Either Disney lost their nerve and gave Star Wars fans a rehash of the best bits and the next two will be no different, or (even worse) they've allowed Lucas to continue his one paced and bland writing habits to take control and produced this film.
Can't say that I'll be acquiring the DVD when it appears.
Uphill to the finish
ID 140904
ID 140904
- Paul Victory
- Friend of the Free Spirits web site 2016
- Posts: 10616
- Joined: Mon Jul 10, 2006 9:29 pm
- I row on...: Model E with PM4
- Location: Dublin
Re: Films
Those of you who are regular readers of this thread may know that our son Jonathan is a big movie buff and has got Jennifer and me to attend many films over the years that we might not have even noticed were on. The latest of these was Captain Fantastic.
When I first heard the title, I assumed it was yet another super hero movie, but I then realised that's not really the sort of thing that Jonathan goes in for. It stars Viggo Mortensen and is about a family living in the wilds somewhere in Colorado or Wyoming or thereabouts. It's kind of a road movie and is definitely different from most mainstream films. Worth seeing if you are looking for something out of the ordinary.
When I first heard the title, I assumed it was yet another super hero movie, but I then realised that's not really the sort of thing that Jonathan goes in for. It stars Viggo Mortensen and is about a family living in the wilds somewhere in Colorado or Wyoming or thereabouts. It's kind of a road movie and is definitely different from most mainstream films. Worth seeing if you are looking for something out of the ordinary.
M 68 6'1" 124kg (May05), 92kg (Feb06), 122kg (Aug10), 95kg (Sep11), 117kg (Jun13), now 98kg