Seen Any Good Movies...?

[Doctor X]

Looks very interesting. I hatez spoilers, but I checked out the basic plot to see if Mulebear was trying to get me to see another musical involving puppets--I hate when he does that!--and I will say I doubt knowing the plot will ruin the experience. This is one I will not miss--and I will probably place the book on The List.

--J.D.

[One for Sorrow]

Great review, Mulebear. I missed Never Let Me Go in theaters but I have read the book. I started it without knowing much of anything about the plot, and the unsettling reality is unveiled slowly. It left me feeling quite disturbed for days afterward, and it is a worthwhile read (though probably much less effective once you know the storyline.)

[mulebear]

I'm a big fan of the works of Theodore Sturgeon. He was easily the greatest short story writer that ever lived and it was sheer coincidence that he wrote science fiction. Or rather, speculative fiction. He was the master of "what if...?".

Never Let Me Go reminded me of his writings. It is a big "What if...?" story that expounds on the idea that there is never enough time to live ones life. That life is disposable. That life full of potential can be discarded for the benefit of others with no guarantee that those who do benefit are living or will live a life with any meaning or worth. It is a sad, sad tale, yet I'm glad I watched it.

[Deadlokd]

Originally Posted by One for Sorrow

Great review, Mulebear. I missed Never Let Me Go in theaters but I have read the book. I started it without knowing much of anything about the plot, and the unsettling reality is unveiled slowly. It left me feeling quite disturbed for days afterward, and it is a worthwhile read (though probably much less effective once you know the storyline.)

I read it under similar circumstances several years ago although I suspect I did read the blurb. But it was so well written and so moving. Truly great literature.

[Crumb]

Ah, the book is only $5 for the Nook. So I can get it and read it before I watch the movie. Thanks for the recommendation.

[mulebear]

Originally Posted by Doctor X

...I checked out the basic plot to see if Mulebear was trying to get me to see another musical involving puppets--I hate when he does that!

I can't believe you're still upset about seeing your ex-girlfriend in that movie. Get another puppet already.

[Doctor X]

It takes a while to work them in you know. . . .

--J.D.

[mulebear]

It's an orgy.

[Doctor X]

Rosey Palm and her five lovely daughters. . . .

--J.D.

[Crumb]

Just saw True Grit.

[Stormlight]

Four Lions -

[mulebear]

Originally Posted by Stormlight

Four Lions -

Even though the trailer for the film looked silly, I still thought about watching it since the reviews were so good. I'll think I'll pass on it now. Thanks.

[Pan Narrans]

The Third Man -- I got it on dvd as a birthday present, and I'll have to thank the people responsible. It was a great film, and Orson Welles stole every scene he was in. The zither needs to die, though.

[freemonkey]

That was TCM yesterday afternoon, looked interesting, but I didn't have time watch it. Fortunately, Netflix has it for streaming, so I can watch at my leisure.

[Ensign Steve]

A Beautiful Mind

I can't believe I never saw this before. It has everything I love. Mathematics, conspiracy theories, schizophrenia. I laughed, I groaned, I gasped, and I wept like a babby.

[Crumb]

I like that one, too.

[LadyShea]

OMG weird. I was totally thinking about Dances With Wolves this morning, for no real reason except that scene where the guy was yelling from the hilltop "Can you not see that you are my friend?!" came to mind.

Anyway I just went to look up Never Let Me Go on IMDB and here's some big ad for Dances With Wolves 20th anniversary or whatever.

I'm slagick

[Deadlokd]

Originally Posted by Ensign Steve

A Beautiful Mind

I can't believe I never saw this before. It has everything I love. Mathematics, conspiracy theories, schizophrenia. I laughed, I groaned, I gasped, and I wept like a babby.

Have you read the book? I have it but had trouble getting into it when I got it. I need a solid recommendation.

[mulebear]

Though the critical reviews for Stranger Than Fiction were excellent, I was hesitant to watch it because... Well... Because of Will Ferrell. That's a shame. A shame because this well done bit of meta-fiction deserves an audience. And Mr. Ferrell's performance is subdued and perfect for the character he plays.

The story is brilliant and avoids the obvious. It unfolds without, in most cases, revealing what will happen next. And, in those rare moments when it does, it does exactly what is right for the story to be told.

The direction is tight and well guided by the hand of Marc Forster who enjoys peppering the film throughout with quirky visuals that add to the story. In lesser hands the quirky elements would have been distracting.

The performances of Emma Thompson, Dustin Hoffman, and Maggie Gyllenhaal are excellent, with further support from the likes of Queen Latifa, Linda Hunt, Tom Hulce and many other lesser known actors. But, the real credit goes to Mr. Ferrell. And that brings us back to the shame that what he is usually known for is overshadowing this gem of a movie.

So... Do yourself a favor and pretend that this is the first time you've heard of Will Ferrell. Pretend that you are not familiar with his throw away comedies. Do yourself a favor and watch this joyous, fun, funny, and sometimes sad, bit of genius.

[mulebear]

A few days ago we watched Kung Fu Hustle. It has to be one of the stupidest movies I've ever seen.

I liked it.

[Doctor X]

Originally Posted by mulebear

A few days ago we watched Kung Fu Hustle. It has to be one of the stupidest movies I've ever seen.

I liked it.

Then you "got" it.

I prefer Shaolin Soccer though. I mean, how can you lose where the evil team is officially known as "Team Evil?"

--J. "Shaolin Kungfu Great!" D.

[mulebear]

Originally Posted by Doctor X

Then you "got" it.

Exactly. The movie was stupid, but it knew it was stupid and didn't try to be anything but fun and stupid. Genius.

[Doctor X]

Reminds me of how some critics complained that in Kung Pow the sound of the barking of the dog was out of sync with him barking. . . .

--J.D.

[Ensign Steve]

Originally Posted by Deadlokd

Have you read the book?

Uh, nope.

[Demimonde]

I have read it, and it is totally different than the film. It is much more of a usual off the shelf biography. If you like biographies fine, it isn't a bad one. But if you like novels it is heard to get into. Also, for me, Nash seemed much more of an asshole in the book.