What Movie Did You Just Watch - The Silly Subtitle Edition

[Escapay]

Only 4/5 because there is NO commentary.

Spielberg doesn't allow commentaries on his films (and neither do Clint Eastwood and David Lynch on their films). IIRC, their argument is that a movie should be viewed as a movie, and a commentary track (be it one dissecting how each shot is composed or just a bunch of people reminiscing) hinders a true movie-viewing experience. Lynch goes so far as to request that there are no chapter stops on his films (some studios honored the decision, other didn't), as films aren't books and shouldn't be stopped in one spot and picked up again in another.

It's a pity that Spielberg doesn't allow commentaries, as they often provide interesting pieces of information that otherwise wouldn't be discussed in the more formal documentaries or featurettes.

A fun tidbit: The scene where Lily tosses her ring into the lagoon. That scene was filmed at Silver Springs, FL. I recently visited there, took a guided boat ride and saw it.

That's odd, I thought everything for the film was shot at Pinewood Studios.

Anyways, films I've viewed in the past few days...

The Ten Commandments - I did my monthly viewing of the film earlier this week. Watched it with my mother, who never saw it in its entirety, despite me seeing it many times over in the past 17 years.

Peyton Place - first time I saw it since I bought the DVD in January 2005. Forgot how much I enjoyed it, and now I'm upset that its 50th Anniversary is going to come and go this December without a new two-disc DVD from Fox. Oh well, there's always 2017.

Scaps

[PixarFan2006]

Just in time for Thanksgiving, I watched Planes Trains and Automobiles last night.

[Siren]

A fun tidbit: The scene where Lily tosses her ring into the lagoon. That scene was filmed at Silver Springs, FL. I recently visited there, took a guided boat ride and saw it.

That's odd, I thought everything for the film was shot at Pinewood Studios.

The DVD doesn't mention it. But if you watch the movie again, you'll see the trees are completely different from the other trees in the movie. They are mangrove trees. They are in no other scene of the movie. When Tom Cruise and his double are underwater (except in the ice scene), that is the lagoon at Silver Springs. The whole movie, except that scene is filmed in Pinewood. I really wish they had mentioned that on the DVD. Give a boost to Silver Springs. Everyone visits Orlando when they come here, but I rather visit Silver Springs any day.

[2099net]

Joe's Palace and Capturing Mary two telefilms written and directed by Stephen Poliakoff. Like last year's Friends and Crocodiles and Gideon's Daughter the pair are connected. Last year the connection was a single character, this year the connection is a single location (although the character of Joe also appears in both).

I wasn't too thrilled with Gideon's Daughter last year (but showing I know nothing, this was the film to which gathered most awards) but I'm pleased to say that this year each film was superb. It's stuff like this which reignites my faith in the BBC, especially at a time when the BBC appears to be about to enter a long dark tunnel. I hope a Poliakoff pair become a regular annual or 18 month tradition.

Each was written and acted to perfection. I really couldn't think of any other actor playing any of the characters in either. Those who don't like Michael Gambon as Dumbledore in the Harry Potter films really need to see him in Joe's Palace - it is an absolutely amazing performance which got me all teary eyed. Maggie Smith was just as good in Capturing Mary. It's easy to see why she has been awarded a dameship for her theatrical work. David Walliams (of Little Britain fame) was also perfect in Capturing Mary as Grenville, a slimy, snobish villain (who could almost be the devil himself).

Of the pair, Joe's Palace made me cry like a baby, but it's Capturing Mary that was the better. It has an ambiguity to it... Was Genville really everything that Mary's tale made him out to be, or was she just using him as an excuse for her own fall from grace? And did she really see him that day in the park, or was it really just the result of her drinking? I love it when filmmakers have the courage to present us with something which isn't clear cut.

Old Press Release on the filming of the two telemovies here

I would give both 10/10.

[Dottie]

Nosferatu-A symphony of horror
Fireworks
Hook

[SpringHeelJack]

Dark City - I'm not sure how I felt about it. I didn't dislike it, but I feel I should have liked it much more than I did

A Little Night Music - Nowehere near as good as the stage show, but not as terrible as some make it out to be. The loss os the setting and three or so excellent songs really hurt the film much more than casting Elizabeth Taylor.

Elf - Watched it last night as I decorated for Christmas. What a fun movie...

[Lazario]

Spielberg doesn't allow commentaries on his films (and neither do Clint Eastwood and David Lynch on their films). IIRC, their argument is that a movie should be viewed as a movie, and a commentary track (be it one dissecting how each shot is composed or just a bunch of people reminiscing) hinders a true movie-viewing experience.

This is so freaking pretentious, I can't even believe it. Well, in Lynch's case, always bloated, I can believe it. But... Eastwood and Spielberg are supposed to be fairly intelligent individuals. Guess DVD collectors are going to have to pay the price for their stupid ego trips.

[Lazario]

Christmas with the Kranks (2004)

I heard this was really bad. It actually wasn't. It sure wasn't funny. At all. But it was really amusing and well-made in several parts. C

[PeterPanfan]

John Tucker Must Die-VERY amusing!

[Lazario]

That's impossible... Blair Witch Project is worse.

Or was it Dirty Shame?

Well, at least there was some kind of writing involved in those movies.



Gregg Araki's Nowhere (1997) - B

The beginning is just the kids talking and there's nothing special about that. But Araki has a great sense of kinetic, flamboyant visual style. And he turns nihilistic black-romantic-comedies into crazy action films. It takes about 20 minutes, but when it finally gets started... it never stops. The ending is also fairly unsatisfying. But, the soundtrack is excellent. And the cast is AMAZING!

Little trivia fact about this movie: a scene features 3 girls in trashy, stylish clothing sitting on a street bench, discussing whether or not the guys they like are gay. 2 of those girls are: Shannen Doherty and Rose McGowan. Rose replaced Shannen when she left Charmed, as most of you who read this probably already know.

[blackcauldron85]

"High School Musical"
"Beauty and the Beast" (1941 French version, for school)
"Enchanted"
"Ratatouille"

[xxhplinkxx]

Enchanted!!!

It was great.

[PeterPanfan]

Enchanted-A

Bratz-C

[Prudence]

Garfield 2:
WORSE-MOVIE-EVER!.

I love the Garfield comic strips, especially the old-school ones. When the first movie came along, I thought I'd also love it. Yawn. Yawn. Yawn. It was a yawn fest. I've never seen the sequel.

Anyway, I saw Enchanted for the second time last night.

[Ting Ting]

Hairspray (2007) - I've actually watched it three times since I purchased the DVD on Tuesday. One of those viewings was with the audio commentary by director Adam Shankman and Nikki Blonsky, which was very informative. An all-star cast, great writing, and ridiculously catchy songs; I don't think it can get much better than that. This is truly an amazing film! That's all there is to it.

The Sandlot - This is easily one of the most enjoyable films ever made. The plot is simple, but there is something about it that makes it so original. This one should be on the list of "Greatest Family Films" forrr-eeev-ER.

Hocus Pocus - First of all, I have to say that Bette Midler is amazing. She is, hands down, one of the funniest people on the face of the Earth. Kathy Najimy brought on a lot of laughs as well; she's a fantastic comedic actor. Sarah Jessica Parker, on the other hand, was just down-right annoying. She looks like a foot. Anywho, this is a really fun film and if you're one of the few people who haven't seen it, see it because it's hysterical.

Chicago - The talent in this film ceases to amaze me. Catherine Zeta-Jones is easily one of the greatest living actors to date. Her performance was truly phenominal, as was Renée Zellweger's (though I wouldn't call myself a fan of hers). Even Richard Gere, who I normally detest, was decent in this one. A viewing of Chicago is always a good time. I highly reccomend this one.

Knocked UP - Judd Apatow has one creative mind if he was able to come up with this. I laugh uncontrollably everytime I watch this one. Some say that it becomes a snooze-fest after the first hour or so, but that's argueable. I think it's clever a film and deserves at least one viewing by everybody, unless you're easily offended. Oh, and Katherine Heigl is pretty easy on the eyes.

John Tucker Must Die - Okay, so this one definitely won't be getting a "Best Picture" nod anytime soon, but I'd say that it's one of my favorite films. Something about it just sucks me in and makes me want to watch it all the time, and I have no idea why. Some love it, some hate it, but I really don't care. It's all just innocent fun and I thoroughly enjoy it.

[Dottie]

Hairspray
Ratatouille
The Parent Trap

[DaveWadding]

I watched This is Spinal Tap and The History of Iron Maiden Part I: The Early Days last night.

[Lazario]

The ABC Christmas movie - A Christmas Caper with Shannen Doherty. It was pretty decent. TV movie, not overly trendy, sappy for sure (but it's holiday entertainment and that just goes with the territory). But there were a few small surprises. And it was quick and harmless. I liked it. B-

[PixarFan2006]

I was bored, so I decided to watch Airplane!. Its a funny movie, but you must be able to pay attention to get all the jokes and references.

B-

[PixarFan2006]

Mr Beans Holiday- It was okay. It had the same humor as the tv show, but it was too predictable.

The Naked Gun - Again, okay, but nothing special. A few laughs here and there.