Not yet. It's on my list. I was hoping you would have had seen it, though. Have you?
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Spoilers What Movie Are You Watching?
- Thread starter Huntn
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No, I haven't, - I'm abroad at the moment - though I will watch it when opportunity allows.
I imagine that I will enjoy it because:
1. I know Russian history - indeed, I use to teach Russian, and Soviet history - with a special focus on the communist era - for a living. So, anything about twentieth century European history, - above all, Russian history - will find me interested.
2. I like movies that deal with history - and this means, as long as the history is accurate, I will forgive much else.
3. I love satire as an art form - much under-used and under-rated. And much of Russian history is so grotesque and horrifically hilarious it just begs for a satirical treatment.
4. It is a movie made in Europe. I am as culturally prejudiced in their favour as I am avowedly antagonistic to movies from the US; this doesn't mean that it will be good, it simply means that - initially at least - I will watch it in a positive and welcoming frame of mind.
5. The cast is excellent.
I'm not at all familiar with the screenwriter or the director/producer combination. I don't want to place too much emphasis on it being historically accurate. Though I feel it's going to be one of those very memorable films that stand the test of time. In between all the superfluous garbage being put out.
Truth be told, you're only the second or third person I know of who's interested in the film.
Truth be told, you're only the second or third person I know of who's interested in the film.
Well, as someone who used to be a professional historian, I am exceptionally intolerant of movies that purport to be history - but, play fast and loose with facts (a failing to which Hollywood appears especially prone, sacrificing accuracy for entertainment).
Call it historical fantasy instead - a genre I quite like - but please, don't insult me by attempting to pass it off as history. If you do, and I spot it - and I will - my ability to "willingly suspend disbelief" is terminally affected, and I will simply find it credible as neither history nor entertainment, but as ludicrously underwhelming fiction.
Re this particular movie, I doubt that historical errors will be an issue; rather, the interpretation - treating Stalin and his court with barbed and biting satire - is what will give rise to controversy.
The Russians are apparently already fuming over it. Speaking of something related, did I ever tell you I've visited Lenin's Mausoleum?
So did I.
In fact, the first time I visited the Mausoleum, the CPSU still ruled that vast continent.
Re Russians and history, this - the study of history and what constitutes history - has always been a contentious issue, not least because of Marx's view of the importance of history in the context of political, economic and social change.
In communist times, one occasionally heard a wonderful - and bitterly barbed observation (classed as a joke): "The past is constantly changing, only the future is certain. And glorious."
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I'm jealous. Yes, there's quite a lot of communist proverbs and anecdotes, lending to the "localized" usage of that word. Many of them still have merit today.
Yes.
I liked the one - from a close colleague (of Stalin's) - who remarked that Stalin was "Genghis Khan with a telephone".
Another observed drily that he was "a cook who liked peppery dishes."
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We're hoping to see Death of Stalin this weekend.
I am expecting it to be as "historically accurate" (whatever that means nowadays to film makers) as "In the Thick of It" bore a passing resemblance to Blair's government or "Yes Minister" was a take on Thatcher's Tories…
Still. The cast is promising.
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That's excellent.
Edit:
Bonus is that the film is showing at the Little Theatre here in Bath… which means we can enjoy it with a bottle of wine.
Sheen.
Yes, he became a bit of a niche character actor… Blair, David Frost, Kenneth Williams…
I think you might be thinking of The Deal? The supposed story behind Blair and Brown's "deal" for the prime ministership (is that a word?) of the UK.
We're hoping to see Death of Stalin this weekend.
I am expecting it to be as "historically accurate" (whatever that means nowadays to film makers) as "In the Thick of It" bore a passing resemblance to Blair's government or "Yes Minister" was a take on Thatcher's Tories…
Still. The cast is promising.
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That's excellent.
Edit:
Bonus is that the film is showing at the Little Theatre here in Bath… which means we can enjoy it with a bottle of wine.
Let me know what you think of it, and do enjoy it; I won't manage to get to see the movie/film until I am next home, which won't be for a while yet.
Perhaps a brother might think to get it as a DVD for me.........
Let us know when you're a man again...
he he he he he... aaahh...
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Ya know, I prefer this one to Sleepless In Seattle.
This was the one that depicted the infamous dinner in that Islington Italian restaurant, - the Granita, I think.
Let us know when you're a man again...
he he he he he... aaahh...
Sigh. Pathetic, @pachyderm.
Is that supposed to be a joke?
Humour rarely translates entirely successfully across cultures.
Actually, I don't get American humour, especially the feeble sort that finds the mere fact of being female funny.
It’s only funny if it’s a guy who is the butt of such a joke?
I assume you are familiar with the slang “broad”, derogative description of a woman. Is that term unique to the US? Sexism was very strong when I was a lad in the US where males, especially sports coaches cajoled boys to be physically strong with comparisons to weak girls. I would expect that attitude to be common around the world. My guess pachyderm saw the sentence and could not help himself. Not defending him.
It’s only funny if it’s a guy who is the butt of such a joke?
I don't think it funny at all, - and I don't find sexist, homophobic or racist jokes funny, either. Of any description.
Besides, such feeble attempts at insulting humour would never be made by a guy to a guy.
Yes, I am familiar with it and also with the fact that it is a derogatory expression, invariably used to dismiss a woman.
Now, I don't expect to be referred to in such terms, not professionally and not personally.
And will call out anyone who does so for attempts at puerile (and sexist) humour are no excuse.
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The new movie?
Let me know what you think of it; it received excellent reviews, and I must day I thought the original an outstanding movie.
it was good, there was a nice little twist at the end, watching the original tonight as there were many things that I forgot about on it.
As good as the original, or an impressively respectful and creatively intelligent homage?
i need to watch the original again, let's just say I was "surprised" in a pleasant way.
I'll be interested to know what you think of the new version when the time comes.
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I watched the original a couple of days before seeing the new one. It helped!
It was a silly pun, it wasn't intended to be sexist I'm sure, it actually works better "by a guy to a guy" (I'm not even sure the poster was aware of your gender to be honest). The point wasn't to belittle a woman, it was one of those "I'm ...", like "I'm bored", Oh yeah? Let me know if you want to be part of a fence. Just a word play.
[doublepost=1509035651][/doublepost]We're watching a few more horror titles than normal, because of Halloween. Just watched Prevenge, pretty terrific little film, it stars Alice Lowe, who also wrote _and_ directed it. It's about a very pregnant woman who's being directed by her unborn child to murder people, but it's very much a black comedy, and a pretty interesting metaphor for pregnancy - in fact, Lowe was actually pregnant during the filming! She said she made it as a bit of a response to the social, psychological, and physical difficulties and complexities of pregnancy.
She's been involved in a lot of British TV, lots of indie films, another one she stars in, Sightseers, I'd recommend (also a funny, dark, horror/thriller).
I think this movie works fantastic up until the very end, then it kind of slips off the rails, the ending is bit of a head scratcher (even in the context of "this is all just a metaphor").
Still worth checking out, she's really terrific.
Wanted to add the movie poster which is fun too!
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That almost sounds more like a Klingon saying/motto.
I need to find my copy of Sleepless in Seattle. I was going to watch that but ended up watching the other one. I'd love to see a new movie with Hanks and Ryan being married with children and having issues keeping Fox's afloat with Amazon taking away business.