BS: Films to see over the holidays?

Subject: BS: Films to see over the holidays?
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Dec 02 - 01:31 PM

Well, of course Lord of the Rings tops my list. The others I plan to see are Frida, Adaptation, maybe Gangs of New York (I figure that one will be around for awhile, whereas I know the others will disappear from theatres soon), Personal Velocity, and if I could see it, I would go see Russian Ark.

There is another movie I would really like to see, The Quiet American, which is being censored/held back by Miramax, as they fear "patriotic" backlash (it is a film adaptation of the Graham Greene novel chronicling the early days of US involvement in Vietnam). They are saying it is the crowning achievement of Michael Caine's acting career. I wish they would release it. I'm hopeful, since Caine was just nominated for a Golden Globe award, which he has been lobbying hard for (along with an Oscar nomination) because he figures awards nominations for him and/or the film is the only way it will get a major release. Has this film been released in Britain?

Subject: RE: BS: Films to see over the holidays?
From: mack/misophist
Date: 21 Dec 02 - 04:43 PM

The Texas Chainsaw Massacre? Just to clense the pallate, you understand.

Subject: RE: BS: Films to see over the holidays?
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 21 Dec 02 - 05:00 PM

For me it's not X-mas until I've seen "The Ref"

:-)

Subject: RE: BS: Films to see over the holidays?
From: GUEST
Date: 21 Dec 02 - 05:10 PM

No, no, no--I don't mean I think I'll watch "Miracle on 34th St" I'm talking about going OUT to see a movie! I'm wondering if going out to the movies is something folks will do over the holidays, and what NEW movies it is they plan to see.

See guys, that list I gave...those are new movies... ;-)

Subject: RE: BS: Films to see over the holidays?
From: Cluin
Date: 21 Dec 02 - 07:07 PM

Well, I don't go out much to the theatre anyway to see movies. I saw "Harry Potter" earlier this week. Last one I saw before that was "Fellowship of the Ring". Yes, I'll go see "Two Towers" (maybe not till after the holidays though), but for the rest I'll wait the 6 months for it come out in video or on the PPV movie channels.

As far as movies for the holidays go (stop stompin' your foot, Guest, we've already `catted your thread), Gotta have "It's a Wonderful Life", of course. But I also watch "National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation", "Blackadder's Christmas Carol", "The Ref" (Yeah, Clint!), "A Christmas Story" (Oh No! I'd shot my eye out!) and my favourite version of the annual Dickensian legacy with Albert Finney as Scrooge.

Subject: RE: BS: Films to see over the holidays?
From: leprechaun
Date: 21 Dec 02 - 07:36 PM

Don't they owe us one more Star Wars movie?

Subject: RE: BS: Films to see over the holidays?
From: mack/misophist
Date: 21 Dec 02 - 07:56 PM

My eyes don't like theatre screens. I haven't seen a first run movie since I left Patton with a blazing head ache. Any way, it's SO much more intimate (and convenient) on the small screen.

Subject: RE: BS: Films to see over the holidays?
From: GUEST,Ian Darby
Date: 21 Dec 02 - 08:51 PM

Hostile Hostages

Subject: RE: BS: Films to see over the holidays?
From: Peg
Date: 22 Dec 02 - 02:48 AM

well as probably the only professional film critic on Mudcat (!!) I highly recommend the following:

Adaptation
Far From Heaven
Talk to Her (Spain, directed by Almodovar)

Subject: RE: BS: Films to see over the holidays?
From: mack/misophist
Date: 23 Dec 02 - 12:45 AM

90% of everything is crap. Including new movies.

Subject: RE: BS: Films to see over the holidays?
From: Kim C
Date: 23 Dec 02 - 10:17 AM

I imagine we'll get out to see The Two Towers. I also want to see Gangs of New York, even if several of the critics don't like it. My man Daniel Day-Lewis is in it!

Subject: RE: BS: Films to see over the holidays?
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Dec 02 - 10:33 AM

I have no idea what I'll actually get out to see. Gangs of New York, if I do go see it, will likely wait until after the holidays. Two Towers may also. I'd love to see Talk to Her Peg, but unfortunately it isn't playing here yet. When it does arrive I will see it though.

So Peg, have you seen Personal Velocity?

Subject: RE: BS: Films to see over the holidays?
From: Peg
Date: 23 Dec 02 - 10:48 AM

I have not seen personal Velocity; I do not tend to see action films unless I have to (too much else to see!)

there were some very good films this year which are now available on DVD which I also recommend: Donnie Darko, Italian for Beginners (a Danish Dogme film), Donnie Darko, Gosford Park, Very Annie Mary (excellent Welsh film with Rachel Griffiths and Jonathan Pryce), Spirited Away (best animated film this year), Treasure Planet (second best animated film this year), Punchdrunk Love, Me Without You, and f course, Bowling for Columbine (which is still in theatres)!

Subject: RE: BS: Films to see over the holidays?
From: GUEST
Date: 23 Dec 02 - 11:19 AM

Personal Velocity is an action film? The film I'm thinking of (I may have the name wrong) is by Rebecca Miller, with Kyra Sedgwick and Parker Posey.

Gosford Park is an excellent idea for a holiday week DVD rental! I'll look for Very Annie Mary too, as I like Rachel Griffiths.

I will second Bowling for Columbine. I may see it a 2nd time this week with friends who haven't yet seen it. Wasn't really thrilled by Donnie Darko, though I appreciated the effort.

Just read (and will post to the GONY thread) that GONY grossed under $10 mil. Isn't sounding too promising for Scorcese, who I think is, along with Francis Ford Coppola, over rated as a director. Epic bloodbaths seems to be all they are capable of putting out.

Subject: RE: BS: Films to see over the holidays?
From: Janice in NJ
Date: 23 Dec 02 - 01:30 PM

FRIDA --- and how!

I wish I could have known Frida Kahlo in real life. I'm still pleasantly puzzled that the United States Postal Service pictured her on a stamp. Did they not know who she was? Maybe they thought she was just some Mexican primativist who did a lot of gory self-portraits?

Subject: RE: BS: Films to see over the holidays?
From: Kim C
Date: 23 Dec 02 - 01:45 PM

I had forgot about that one, Janice. I don't know very much about Frida Kahlo, except that she seemed to have sort of a sad life. She was very striking, and yet often painted herself as ugly.

Subject: RE: BS: Films to see over the holidays?
From: Cluin
Date: 23 Dec 02 - 02:01 PM

I found "Gosford Park" a bit of a drag. Too bad. It was full of marvellous acting, casting, and setting. But it was just too confusing. I had to watch it twice just to figure out who was who. And it took over half of the film just for the murder to occur.

On the other hand, most of Altman's films are like that: they usually take a couple of viewings to take in all that is going on... and then you end up loving them.

I guess I was just expecting a good old Agatha-type murder mystery, rather than "Upstairs-Downstairs".

Subject: RE: BS: Films to see over the holidays?
From: Zhenya
Date: 23 Dec 02 - 04:27 PM

I'm looking forward to Lord of the Rings - maybe tomorrow? I saw two good films this weekend: Rabbit-proof Fence and Evelyn. After the second one, I realized they're essentially the same story, the first set in 1930s Australia and the second in 1950s Ireland. Both are about children taken away from their families by the govt., and about how the families were reunited after long struggles. Both are worth seeing. And for Irish music fans, you'll recognize most of the songs and tunes in Evelyn.

Subject: RE: BS: Films to see over the holidays?
From: Yorkshire Tony
Date: 23 Dec 02 - 05:18 PM

Two Towers, Harry Potter and Die Another Day with my kids.
Bowling for Columbine seems worth a look.
Elder son wants to go see Eight Mile but isn't old enough to go by himself - will I need ear plugs and heavy sedation, or isn't it that bad? Anyone know?

Subject: RE: BS: Films to see over the holidays?
From: Little Hawk
Date: 23 Dec 02 - 05:31 PM

Have seen Harry Potter and Two Towers, and can highly recommend both. Am about to go and see the new Star Trek one (naturally), since it is one more chance to see Jean-Luc (the coolest Captain of all time) say "Earl Grey. Hot."

Also figure to see "Gangs of New York" and the other DiCaprio one...they both sound rather good from what I've read about them.

- LH