Originally posted by D in St Pete: I really enjoyed "The Kingdom," Jill. As someone in the type of environment you'll encounter in the first part of the movie, I thought it was nicely done.
That's good to hear, D, because I seem to recall that it was not well reviewed by critics when it came out in the theatre. I didn't bother with it in large part because of that. I don't think critics' opinions are the be-all-and-end-all, but I do know certain critics who tend to have similar opinions as me, so I do tend to pay attention when they either really praise or really pan a movie. Also, I tend to use metacritic.com a lot, which is a compilation of MANY critics and an average of their scores. There may be a few buttheads in the crowd who will give all lowbrow movies an F, for example, but if 60 movie critics give a movie an F, you can be pretty sure it sucks.
I'll go put The Kingdom on my Netflix queue now.
Posts: 7125 | Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE | Registered: March 12, 2004
I really enjoyed "The Kingdom," Jill. As someone in the type of environment you'll encounter in the first part of the movie, I thought it was nicely done.
It was directed by the guy who directed the movie "Friday Night Lights," and who got the tv series going; I really enjoy the way he frames dramas as if you're there watching.
It's one of those that kinda started, and then pulled me along fast enough that I wanted to just catch a breath! But in a good way. Working around those guys, I'll say Jason Bateman nailed his part, too.
It's definitely got action, especially in the latter portions, but was paced a lot like a murder mystery, if that makes sense. Jennifer Garner, who annoys me for some reason I can't verbalize, was good in it as well, and the main Saudi supporting character (can't get to imdb to look him up from work) was really, really, really good.
I'd love to hear what you think of it after you see it.
Challenge Goals: *10 minutes of unplanned exercise five times a week *Gym time twice a week *Socialize at least once every two weeks.
It's not The Kite Runner, although I'd like to see it but can't imagine it would compare to the book-loved the book. I am thinking it might be The Kingdom, which actually is an action/drama. It is not Babel either, just went and watched the trailer. I might go to Blockbuster this afternoon and just wander around and see if I can find whatever movie it was. I just started a list of movies I want to see so I don't drive myself nuts thinking about it like I am right now.
JIll
Summer Challenge Goals: 1) Walk 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week 2) Plan weekly menus
I rented Atonement last weekend. I thought that it was good. It is done very well. I ended up turning on the subtitles as I had trouble catching a lot of it and the accents.
We did the same thing!
I was really glad that I had rented it on DVD and wasn't watching pay for view! It would take me half the night to figure out how to turn on the subtitles on the cable TV. I've also really enjoyed watching the "Extra" stuff on DVD's like the directors commentaries or the making of this film.
I watch a lot of DVD's in Tahoe, as we don't have tv reception or cable. I watch stuff that dh and ds would either hate... or isn't appropriate for ds. I think that they wouldn't be interested in Attonement...
I rented Atonement last weekend. I thought that it was good. It is done very well. I ended up turning on the subtitles as I had trouble catching a lot of it and the accents.
We did the same thing!
summer 7 challenge goals: - Meditate every day - Start the day with positive imagery and self talk Out of our beliefs are born deeds; out of our deeds we form habits; out of our habits grows our character; and on our character we build our destiny.
Originally posted by jillybean: Would Juno be appropriate for my dd who is 14? I just think a story about teen pregnancy(and I am only going on previews here) being no big deal would send the wrong message.
I’ve seen part of Juno… and the main character is VERY appealing. She is cute, smart, funny, quick… She has MANY qualities that a teen may very well admire.
My ds age 16 has seen it… and I don’t know if it makes teen preg to be no big deal or appealing, I‘ll have to ask him… I have a son… and I know that it occurred to me that I would feel very different if I had a daughter… But I have a son, and thus far, he has not gone on one date or expressed interest in school dances or expressed any interest with interaction with girls outside of school. To quote something I read in Newsweek or Time… my ds has a very active sex life… with himself. And I’m not sure that I worry about him getting anyone preg yet.
You may very well want to see it first… rather than watching it with her for the first time. But it is a VERY popular movie with teens right now… and she may see it at some other kid’s house down loaded from iTunes into a laptop (ask me how I know…). And in that case, you may want to see it with her… verses at a friend’s house.
* * * * * Ds, dh and I went on a Bourne 3 day binge… and watched all three Bourne movies and really liked that. We really needed to see the first two, to get the third.
I rented Atonement last weekend. I thought that it was good. It is done very well. I ended up turning on the subtitles as I had trouble catching a lot of it and the accents. I I got a lot out of watching it the second time with the Director’s commentary turned on and getting more historical background. I also found it personally interesting as my grandparents met during WWI when they were both in their late teens… when she was a nurse and he was wounded in France and hospitalized in England… although Atonement takes place about 25 years later during WWII… I thought that the circumstances must have been very similar.
I rented “Lust, Caution”. I thought that the acting and direction was GREAT. I got a lot out of the historical part of it… and the Japanese occupation of China… and the characters and plot. I found the “erotic” part of it very disturbing and violent… and not exactly MY idea of a “romantic” or “erotic” film. But very well done.
I’ve also seen Gone, Baby, Gone… and thought it well done. I can’t say that I exactly “enjoyed” it… or "Atonement"… or “Lust, Caution”. Enjoy isn’t the right word. They are movies that are extremely well done and thought provoking… but not fun or light.
We’ve also seen Enchantated… that was enjoyable and light and fun.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: GoingSkiing,
Originally posted by jillybean: Would Juno be appropriate for my dd who is 14?
You know I don't have kids, so I'm probably not the best one to give my opinion. That said, I think your daughter would probably bust a gut at the language used in the film (very young and "now"). I saw it in the theatre so it's been a while, but I don't remember it being WILDLY inappropriate for a teenager. Teenagers these days are, on average, a LOT more in the know about sexual stuff than I certainly ever was as a teenager. But I think it would depend on YOUR teenager and how sheltered or how clued in she is to this stuff.
quote:
I have a very vague question. I cannot remember many details but remember movie trailers, I believe either mid-late 2007, possibly early 2008. Scenes of the Middle East, not war type scenes, I believe the movie would be drama, not an action flick, and I don't remember it being sappy love story either. I know that is very little information but any ideas?
My guess would be either that you're talking about Kite Runner (taken from the popular Khaled Housseni book) or Babel, starring Brad Pitt & Cate Blanchett as a couple travelling in the Middle East. There is a crisis both with them while travelling and with their children who are with the nanny back home.
Posts: 7125 | Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE | Registered: March 12, 2004
Originally posted by jillybean: Would Juno be appropriate for my dd who is 14? I just think a story about teen pregnancy(and I am only going on previews here) being no big deal would send the wrong message. Please correct me if I'm wrong because she really wants to see it.
Juno was GREAT but I'm not sure it's appropriate for a 14 year old.
quote:
I have a very vague question. I cannot remember many details but remember movie trailers, I believe either mid-late 2007, possibly early 2008. Whatever the movie was I know I wanted to see it. I really should write a list of movies I think I'd like to see so I remember the names. Now, here's what I remember: Scenes of the Middle East, not war type scenes, I believe the movie would be drama, not an action flick, and I don't remember it being sappy love story either. I know that is very little information but any ideas? Jill
Kite Runner?
summer 7 challenge goals: - Meditate every day - Start the day with positive imagery and self talk Out of our beliefs are born deeds; out of our deeds we form habits; out of our habits grows our character; and on our character we build our destiny.
Would Juno be appropriate for my dd who is 14? I just think a story about teen pregnancy(and I am only going on previews here) being no big deal would send the wrong message. Please correct me if I'm wrong because she really wants to see it.
I have a very vague question. I cannot remember many details but remember movie trailers, I believe either mid-late 2007, possibly early 2008. Whatever the movie was I know I wanted to see it. I really should write a list of movies I think I'd like to see so I remember the names. Now, here's what I remember: Scenes of the Middle East, not war type scenes, I believe the movie would be drama, not an action flick, and I don't remember it being sappy love story either. I know that is very little information but any ideas?
Jill
Summer Challenge Goals: 1) Walk 30 minutes a day, 5 days a week 2) Plan weekly menus
Goals: 1. Stop thinking like a chronic dieter and start living to inspire. 2. HALT (hungry, anxious, lonely, tired) I will stop and tune in with myself should I experience these things, and respond with something healthy. 3. One word 2008: courage 4. Eat slow and mindfully.
Originally posted by Nbox: I liked Atonement a lot.
Period movies (for me) tend to be long (over 2 hours) and slow moving. Did you find that to be true of Atonement? I really want to like it but I am not the biggest fan of period pieces.
Posts: 7125 | Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE | Registered: March 12, 2004
Originally posted by Brie: We also recently watched Atonement and Juno both of which I thought were really, really well done.
I saw Juno in the theatre and LOVED it. Just so original and quirky and funny. I wouldn't mind owning that one at some point.
I put Atonement on my Netflix queue the other day (been meaning to do that for weeks), so it should be arriving soon. But next in my mailbox will be Into the Wild (read the book and can't WAIT to see the movie) and 3:10 to Yuma (I'm not a huge Western fan but the reviews were good) as well as a DVD on how to pick the right dog breed. Thought that would be a timely one for me.
Posts: 7125 | Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE | Registered: March 12, 2004
The only one I haven't seen so far is No Country for Old Men but we have it in the house to watch.
I LOVED There Will be Blood - especially the ending but I'm biased as I'm a HUGE Daniel Day-Lewis fan.
I had a hard time with Eastern Promises and had to look away so many times that I gave up 1/2 way through the movie (and I really like Viggo but just too much violence for me).
We also recently watched Atonement and Juno both of which I thought were really, really well done.
I think it was a really good year for Oscar nominated movies and actors.
summer 7 challenge goals: - Meditate every day - Start the day with positive imagery and self talk Out of our beliefs are born deeds; out of our deeds we form habits; out of our habits grows our character; and on our character we build our destiny.
No Country for Old Men and There Will Be Blood were both Oscar contenders with big buzz. They are both dark, violent films that leave you scratching your head at times (purposely so, I think). I found them both enjoyable on some level, but I think I liked the former more than the latter.
This past weekend, my friends and I watched Gone, Baby, Gone, directed by Ben Affleck, and Eastern Promise with Viggo Mortensen. These movies both had good buzz as well (the latter in part because it featured Viggo naked in a bath house brawl). Again, both movies were dark and violent, but not to the extent of the previous two movies.
Promise was well acted but something didn't entirely click for me. I was pleasantly surprised by Gone. I think Ben Affleck should stick to directing from now on, because this was my favorite of the four movies. It was dark and tragic subject matter, but VERY well done and beautifully acted (I think Amy Adams took home a Supporting Actress Oscar for it).
Posts: 7125 | Location: Rehoboth Beach, DE | Registered: March 12, 2004
Ok. I recently saw Enchanted, which enchanted me. I may have to buy it. I also saw Once, which has a neat soundtrack, and didn't end the way I expected. I've been watching a couple of series on DVD, Heroes, Once and Again (I think) and I have the Tudors on my list. I'm going to watch something called 'Lust, Caution' which I found while looking up movies for a patron (the one I was looking for is apparently still in theaters).
We bought "101 Dalmations" on DVD yesterday and watched it last night.
My family went to see it at the theatre when it was new . And somewhere around here, packed in a box, are some little plastic dalmation puppy figurines that I think came with a kids meal somewhere that same year.
I had not realized until last night that Lady and some of the other dogs from Lady & The Tramp are in 101 Dalmations but they are .
1. do 4 laps on walking track without "resting" 2. do 1 mile (17laps) in 20 minutes (3miles per hour)
Posts: 3842 | Location: NE Atlanta (Chamblee, Doraville, Norcross, Duluth) | Registered: March 15, 2004
. And somewhere around here, packed in a box, are some little plastic dalmation puppy figurines that I think came with a kids meal somewhere that same year. 
.
