Spoilers What Movie Are You Watching?

[Scepticalscribe]

Darn...your rant is so much better than my rant.

I have been out-ranted!

Lovely post....thanks.

Thank you. I have been debating posting something along these lines for quite some time - as you know - but had stayed my pen (ah, keyboard) until today.

But, as is the way of such things, your post prompted mine in response, so, I must also thank you for that, too.....

 

[Apple fanboy]

Just watched die hard with a vengeance with my daughter (first time for her). Last night we all watched a good day to die hard, and after that I am suprised she choose to watch another. When it comes to Die hard in my opinion its;
Die Hard 1
Die Hard 3
Die Hard 4
Die Hard 2
Die Hard 5
in terms of quality. Feel free to disagree if you like!
Yippie kyia!

 

[S.B.G]

I finished a documentary on Steinway & Sons pianos where they are pairing famous pianists to pianos and tuning them to their liking called Pianomania. Its in German, but it has subtitles so I can follow along with the dialog. Though, when the music is playing, I don't need to know any other languages. I love music!

Now I am watching another one called Note By Note where they chronicle and examine the art of creating the Steinway pianos and those who build them.

 

[4JNA]

Cloud Atlas

got to see 'Cloud Atlas' tonight.

actually believe i should change that to say 'journeyed' or 'worked' thru 'Cloud Atlas' as i am sitting here drained from the advenvture and very much enjoying the afterglow.

what an amazing love story, the bond of friendship, the results of long forgot mistakes/actions and their impact, profound in a word. two thumbs up, that was very challenging to take in and watch. bewitching by tunes and tales be true.

 

[ReanimationN]

I saw The Wolverine last night, I thought it was fantastic- it more than made up for the last Wolverine disaster. I can't believe the shape Hugh Jackman's in... I hope I look like that at 44!

 

[S.B.G]

Watching a documentary called "In Search Of Beethoven."

 

[Scepticalscribe]

Watching a documentary called "In Search Of Beethoven."

Sounds interesting. Who made it? Is it any good, or thought-provoking? What sort of questions is it asking?

Years ago, I remember having been absolutely bowled over by a superb documentary 'In Search Of The Trojan War'. It was made by a wonderfully talented young (at that time) historian named Michael Wood, and the BBC, bless them, made it.

 

[S.B.G]

Sounds interesting. Who made it? Is it any good, or thought-provoking? What sort of questions is it asking?

Years ago, I remember having been absolutely bowled over by a superb documentary 'In Search Of The Trojan War'. It was made by a wonderfully talented young (at that time) historian named Michael Wood, and the BBC, bless them, made it.

It was made by Director Phil Grabsky in 2009. I found via Netflix, and here it is on IMDb.

Netflix description:

This in-depth look at Ludwig van Beethoven features new insights into the composer's life and music, and excerpts from more than 60 live performances.

It was pretty good and was narrated by Juliet Stevenson. Essentially, they went over his life, both personal and professional and examined them both as intertwined and paralleled, and of how they each influenced each other. I especially enjoyed the narration of his letters to various people, including his loves.

Plenty of great music to be heard and a fascinating look at the man himself.

 

[Shrink]

It was made by Director Phil Grabsky in 2009. I found via Netflix, and here it is on IMDb.

Netflix description:


It was pretty good and was narrated by Juliet Stevenson. Essentially, they went over his life, both personal and professional and examined them both as intertwined and paralleled, and of how they each influenced each other. I especially enjoyed the narration of his letters to various people, including his loves.

Plenty of great music to be heard and a fascinating look at the man himself.

Thanks for the review...

Nice précis, interesting information. Sounds like it's worth a look.

 

[S.B.G]

Also found on Netfllx, Mozart's Sister. It's in French with subtitles, so I will have to pay close attention if I am to follow along.

A re-imagined account of the early life of Maria Anna 'Nannerl' Mozart, five years older than Wolfgang and a musical prodigy in her own right.

This should prove to be another interesting film.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

It was made by Director Phil Grabsky in 2009. I found via Netflix, and here it is on IMDb.

Netflix description:


It was pretty good and was narrated by Juliet Stevenson. Essentially, they went over his life, both personal and professional and examined them both as intertwined and paralleled, and of how they each influenced each other. I especially enjoyed the narration of his letters to various people, including his loves.

Plenty of great music to be heard and a fascinating look at the man himself.

Thank you for posting such a succinct review; sounds very interesting, and well worth a look.

Also found on Netfllx, Mozart's Sister. It's in French with subtitles, so I will have to pay close attention if I am to follow along.


This should prove to be another interesting film.



Image

Ah, yes, Nannerl; as a child, she was considered to be a prodigy much along the lines of young Wolfgang, and both children toured the courts the nobility, the high clergy and royalty, guided and steered by their father, Leopold, a sort of musical version of 'the tennis father from hell'. She and Wolfgang had a close bond, too, as children, and as teenagers.

However, her life can certainly be viewed as one where societal restrictions imposed by gender prevented a person from reaching their full potential as a musician; as I recall, she married the sort of controlling moron who viewed her musical talent as a threat and prohibited her from playing, or earning an income as a musical teacher. I think her second husband was a bit better.

I have often thought that if Mozart himself had lived around 20 years later, revolutionary and societal changes would have enabled him to make an independent income from his music, and not have to rely on obsequious relationships with clueless aristocrats. Beethoven benefitted from the changes sweeping Europe in the early 19th century, and the difference between how their respective lives panned out is quite instructive.

 

[S.B.G]

Thank you for posting such a succinct review; sounds very interesting, and well worth a look.



Ah, yes, Nannerl; as a child, she was considered to be a prodigy much along the lines of young Wolfgang, and both children toured the courts the nobility, the high clergy and royalty, guided and steered by their father, Leopold, a sort of musical version of 'the tennis father from hell'. She and Wolfgang had a close bond, too, as children, and as teenagers.

However, her life can certainly be viewed as one where societal restrictions imposed by gender prevented a person from reaching their full potential as a musician; as I recall, she married the sort of controlling moron who viewed her musical talent as a threat and prohibited her from playing, or earning an income as a musical teacher. I think her second husband was a bit better.

I have often thought that if Mozart himself had lived around 20 years later, revolutionary and societal changes would have enabled him to make an independent income from his music, and not have to rely on obsequious relationships with clueless aristocrats. Beethoven benefitted from the changes sweeping Europe in the early 19th century, and the difference between how their respective lives panned out is quite instructive.

Provided the film is accurate, or at least closely accurate, I learned of Nanna of whom I hadn't known before.

The story was quite sad really. She was an aspiring musician and composer but was prevented from realizing that dream by her father and societal rules for women of the time. Though her father did recognize her talent and confided that to his wife, he suppressed her "for her own good."

She was only able to play and write in secrecy and even had to dress as a man when visiting the French Nobility in Paris with whom she fell in love with one of them. Alas, though, the King made him to wed another and crushed her heart. The last scene, in particular, between the two of them was horrible. He invites her over one last time, dressed as a man, makes her play and sing for him as he dismisses his new wife to another room. He then makes her kiss him for he loves her, but to keep up appearances, throws her out in a diatribe of accusatory debauchery in front of everyone as a way to break off his feelings for her and to ensure that no one knew their secret.

If her life played out the way it was portrayed on film, during her teenage to early twenties years, I don't know how she didn't commit suicide. She had to have been a remarkably strong lady to put up with everything and overcome the way of life of the times.

At the end of the film, they describe how she stopped composing, married a man well over 50 they say, and spent her latter years collecting and promoting Amadeus' works for posterity. She lived to be 78, died poor and blind.

Despite the sad story, it was a very good film.

 

[S.B.G]

Just started watching a Nova-NatGeo documentary titled: Mystery of Easter Island.

 

[kazmac]

recent

The Last Station with Christopher Plummer, Helen Mirren and James McAvoy (plus Paul Giamatti...) - I usually don't watch these kinds of movies but Christopher and Helen were a hoot as the elderly Tostoy and his wife. It got a bit cutthroat over Leo's will but it was an interesting film.

The Fog I still love elements of Carpenter's post Halloween film (the leper ghosts and their story is great), but outside of Tom Atkins' Nick Castle I couldn't give a hoot about any of the other characters nowadays. Still, I bought the just released blu ray because there are new elements uncovered in the HD print supervised by Dean Cundey. So if there is a chance to see something I've never seen before in a JC film I enjoy, I'll buy it.

They Live Finally bought the blu ray. I certainly wouldn't have complained if all of Carpenters' films from Big Trouble in Little China onwards had a lot of humor mixed into their often wonky scenarios. The ending of They Live is still LOL funny to me 25 years on.

Big Trouble in Little China Oh I love Lo Pan. My all time favorite villain. Never get tired of this. I like exploring other cultures takes on good and evil in a crazy setting. And after the movie ends, I always watch this.

I'm gearing up to finally watch The Eyes of Laura Mars, had I known John Carpenters' script was an ode to gialli I would have checked this out a long time ago.

----------

Just watched die hard with a vengeance with my daughter (first time for her). Last night we all watched a good day to die hard, and after that I am suprised she choose to watch another. When it comes to Die hard in my opinion its;
Die Hard 1
Die Hard 3
Die Hard 4
Die Hard 2
Die Hard 5
in terms of quality. Feel free to disagree if you like!
Yippie kyia!

I have to boost Die Hard 2 up to the 2nd slot after the first, simply because I'm a Franco Nero fan.

 

[ritmomundo]

Red 2 - Entertaining, but dumb. I know she's like 70, but I've got a schoolboy crush on Helen Mirren. She's pretty badass in this one. Bruce Willis is a major letdown, again.

 

[Voodoofreak]

Just got Godfather trilogy from amazon today. Going to pop that in 10 minutes and start enjoying some mob action.

 

[Huntn]

I saw The Wolverine last night, I thought it was fantastic- it more than made up for the last Wolverine disaster. I can't believe the shape Hugh Jackman's in... I hope I look like that at 44!

Not thrown out to debate, but for a different perspective: I loved the Wolverine Origin movie.

Just started watching a Nova-NatGeo documentary titled: Mystery of Easter Island.

Image

I assume the "mystery" are the heads? I remember seeing a documentary a while back that speculated about how they were moved around.

 

[Huntn]

Just got back from The Wolverine and was dis-a-ppointed! That certain X-Men universe vibe was missing in action! Wolverine/Hugh Jackman is the best single mutant featured in the cinematic X-Men universe. Japan could have been the perfect setting for a Wolverine movie but, terrible cinematography, an unimpressive story, weak execution, lousy music, a substantial portion of the movie was dark, action was so close up that I could not appreciate it. IMO the funeral action scene was a huge jumbled mess. I saw people acrobatically flying around, but due to the tight framing, what might have been impressive was minimalized. My guess was the tight framing was cover for lack of anything worth seeing. Nor did I care for mutant antagonist and saw no real affection between the daughter and W. Initially excited to see Jean Gray, but she was just there to taunt us Jean Gray lovers. I know directors are supposed to bring out the best in actors, but Jackman did not seem to have his heart in the movie. Maybe I'll change my mind when it comes out on DVD, but I rank it a 6/10.

PS: He does not use a sword as per the image. Why should he with built-in equipment?

Spoiler...

From a plot perspective, why did drilling into Wolverine's claw stubs supposed to transfer his mutant genes to another person? If it was that easy, we could all be Wolverines.

 

[S.B.G]

I assume the "mystery" are the heads? I remember seeing a documentary a while back that speculated about how they were moved around.

It was the latter. The mystery was, in fact, about how they moved the massive stones. They even made a replica and had a team of people trying to move it as they theorized how it was done a long time ago.

 

[Huntn]

It was the latter. The mystery was, in fact, about how they moved the massive stones. They even made a replica and had a team of people trying to move it as they theorized how it was done a long time ago.

I may have watched that a long time ago.

 

[Beeplance]

Just got back from The Wolverine and was dis-a-ppointed! That certain X-Men universe vibe missing in action! Wolverine/Hugh Jackman is the best single mutant featured in cinematic X-Men universe. Japan could have been the perfect setting for a Wolverine movie but, terrible cinematography, an unimpressive story, weak execution, lousy music, a substantial portion of the movie was dark, action was so close up that I could not appreciate it. IMO the funeral action scene was a huge jumbled mess. I saw people acrobatically flying around, but due to the tight framing, what might have been impressive was minimalized. Nor did I care for mutant antagonist and saw no real affection between the daughter and W. Initially excited to see Jean Gray, but she was just there to taunt us Jean Gray lovers. I know directors are supposed to bring out the best in actors, but Jackman did not seem to have his heart in the movie. Maybe I'll change my mind when it comes out on DVD, but I rank it a 6/10.

Image
PS: He does not use a sword as per the image.

Spoiler...

From a plot perspective, why did drilling into Wolverine's claw stubs supposed to transfer his mutant genes to another person? If it was that easy, we could all be Wolverines.

There's going to be another X-men movie next year, it's as though there's an x-men movie every single year.

X-men: Days of Future Past

 

[ritmomundo]

The Wolverine
Spoiler...

More Spoiler...
It wasnt explained at all in the movie, but my assumption is that the "transfer" process has to do with a massive bone marrow transplant, big enough to kill him (from his arms? *shrug*). Does it make much sense? Not really, but that's as far as my imagination could stretch it.

 

[Huntn]

There's going to be another X-men movie next year, it's as though there's an x-men movie every single year.

X-men: Days of Future Past

Director Bryan Singer is a good omen. He directed X2 which is my favorite X-Men movie and produced the Wolverine Origins movie, which I liked a lot because among other things, possesses the X-Men vibe. Fingers crossed. I won't be buying The Wolverine for my video library and note, I don't own X-Men First Class either (no heart).

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More Spoiler...
It wasnt explained at all in the movie, but my assumption is that the "transfer" process has to do with a massive bone marrow transplant, big enough to kill him (from his arms? *shrug*). Does it make much sense? Not really, but that's as far as my imagination could stretch it.

I won't dwell on it. Just what we needed, a Samurai Iron Man.

 

[firedept]

Nothing special. Kids wanted to watch it.

 

[Huntn]

Nothing special. Kids wanted to watch it.

The wife and I got roped into watching this, 5 min in, she was on her iPad... I was looking at the clock and trying to stay awake. I did not see the first one Rise of the Cobra, of which this was a sequel. I like The Rock, but this is an awful movie, although our friend's 10 year old loves it. When characters are running around in Power Ranger outfits, I have to question what kind of movie am I watching? Some of the action was interesting, but I assumed a lot of the high wire act was CGI. Most shocking was seeing Bruce Willis in it. He was so bereft of life and -old-, I all most did not recognize him. I guess he no longer cares what his name is attached to. And Ray Stevenson (character named Firefly) just can't seem to get himself back up to the lofty heights of Rome (HBO series), although he was good in last season's Dexter as the Russian mobster.