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Music of the Heart 1999 - PG - 124 min - Drama | Music

Our rating 10/10

Could watch it again.


Stars:
Meryl Streep, Cloris Leachman and Henry Dinhofer

The true story of a young teacher who fights against the board of education in her bid to teach underprivileged kids in a Harlem school the beauty of music through the violin. In her struggle she loses everything as the system comes down on her with all their might but her determination for the kids happiness helps her to battle back with wonderfully inspirational results.


Trailer:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pnqbx8iTTM

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Tempus fugit

Enemy at the Gates (2001) (R) rated 131 min - Drama | History | Thriller

Our rating: 10/10

Stars:
Jude Law, Ed Harris and Joseph Fiennes

A turning point in 20th century war history is the focus of this fact-based account of the 1942-1943 battle of Stalingrad, in which the Germans were finally defeated by Russian influence -- one of the bloodiest battles in World War II history. The film stars Jude Law as Vassili, a marksman from the Urals who is transported to Stalingrad in 1942, and a master German sniper, Major Koenig (Ed Harris). Koenig, an expert German sniper, is determined to eliminate his formidable opponent by any means necessary; meanwhile, Vassili has joined forces with Danilov (Joseph Fiennes), a young Russian political adversary, who is impressed by Vassili's skills and raises his profile in the Soviet Union. Both Vassili and Danilov become involved with Tanya (Rachel Weisz), whose Jewish parents have been captured by the Germans and have forced her to take up with the men on a sniper expedition. Koenig and Vassili begin to develop traps for each other, until fate inevitably must bring the two sharpshooters together. This large-scale production, financed mostly by Teuton companies, also features Bob Hoskins as Nikita Krushchev and Ron Perlman as an aging Russian sniper.

Trailer:
http://www.imdb.com/video/screenplay/vi1218773273/

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Tempus fugit

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

Michael Caine and Steve Martin in a battle of wits as to who is the better Conman. I am not a huge Steve Martin fan, but here he does outdo himself. More twists and turns than you can possibly imagine and a great ending. No spoilers at all here. It needs to be watched. Set in France, the scenery and Cinematography is beautiful.

8/10

Norm

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Geelong, VFA Premiers 1878, 1879, 1800, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1886, AFL Premiers 1925, 1931, 1937, 1951, 1952, 1963, 2007, 2009, 2011, .

Last Sunday I watched "The Girl with The Dragon Tattoo" with Daniel Craig and the suspense thrilled me throughout the entire movie....

gggricardo,

Thanks for this posting ... the ads have looked interesting for this so now (because of your posting, I'll be looking to go!
jch

You're not going to regret it at all, the movie is fantastic with an unusual european environment and unexpected end...............

THANKS ! BTW, the legend along the left side says you are from the USA. Where exactly ???
jch

From where the SUN almost always shines!!! Miami.

Well ... I guess the only way I could get farther away from you in this country is move 450 miles north to Seattle. I'll bet keeping stamps safe in your humidity is a challenge.
jch

The Bridges of Madison County (1995)

Rated (R) 135 min - Drama | Romance

9/10

One for the ladies.

Director:
Clint Eastwood

Stars:
Clint Eastwood, Meryl Streep and Annie Corley

The brief, illicit love affair between an Iowa housewife and a post-middle-age free-lance photographer is chronicled in this powerful romance based on the best-selling novella by Robert James Waller.

The story begins as globetrotting National Geographic photographer Robert Kincaid journeys to Madison County in 1965 to film its lovely covered bridges. Upon his arrival, he stops by an old farmhouse to ask directions.

There he encounters housewife, Francesca Johnson, whose spouse and two children are out of town. Thus begins their four-day affair, a liaison that fundamentally changes them both. Later Francesca chronicles the affair in a diary which her flabbergasted grown children read; never would they have expected their mother to be capable of the passion she experienced with Kincaid.

Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ye8G8cqu27U

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Tempus fugit

Deep Impact(1996)

I have never quite been able to work out how this movie got to be so wrong. It has a great cast, including Morgan Freeman, Robert Duvall, Vanessa Redgrave, Maximillian Schell and a very young Leelee Sobieski.

It has a classic storyline - a huge Comet is about to hit the Earth and must be stopped. It is also mainly a people story, and concentrates on how real people react when they are about to die, much like On The Beach from an earlier era, and totally unlike Armaggedon, released in the same year where you just knew that Bruce Willis was going to flex his muscles and save the planet.

Maybe it is Tea Leoni sleepwalking through the main role as the Reporter who uncovers the story. Maybe it is Elijah Wood who is so wrong in every respect. Perhaps Morgan Freeman, who simply stands behind a pulpit in every scene he is in is so misused (BTW - a Black USA President in a movie made in 1996? - very perceptive). And how can you put Vanessa Redgrave in a movie and utterly waste her talent the way they did?

I will go back to my earlier thoughts. It is more of a character study than a Disaster Movie (although when the disaster comes the special effects are not too bad for 1996, especially a beach scene) but generally, unlike On The Beach, we do not get to know most of the characters well enough to care what happens to them. Perhaps there were just too many people stuffed into the various stories. Worth a watch, but the people who made it don't quite get the mix right.

6/10

Norm

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Geelong, VFA Premiers 1878, 1879, 1800, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1886, AFL Premiers 1925, 1931, 1937, 1951, 1952, 1963, 2007, 2009, 2011, .

When I think it is too humid i will go watch a movie and neglet my stamps a little..............

The Shawshank Redemption (1994) (R) 142 min - Crime | Drama


Truly memorable


Director:
Frank Darabont

Stars:
Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman and Bob Gunton

In 1946, a banker named Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins) is convicted of a double murder, even though he stubbornly proclaims his innocence. He's sentenced to a life term at the Shawshank State Prison in Maine, where another lifer, Ellis "Red" Redding (Morgan Freeman), picks him as the new recruit most likely to crack under the pressure.

The ugly realities of prison life are quickly introduced to Andy: a corrupt warden (Bob Gunton), sadistic guards led by Capt. Byron Hadley (Clancy Brown), and inmates who are little better than animals, willing to use rape or beatings to insure their dominance. But Andy does not crack: he has the hope of the truly innocent, which (together with his smarts) allow him to prevail behind bars. He uses his banking skills to win favor with the warden and the guards, doing the books for Norton's illegal business schemes and keeping an eye on the investments of most of the prison staff.

In exchange, he is able to improve the prison library and bring some dignity and respect back to many of the inmates, including Red. Based on a story by Stephen King, The Shawshank Redemption was the directorial debut of screenwriter Frank Darabont. ~ Mark Deming..

Link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hB3S9bIaco

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Tempus fugit

Mars Attacks

Made in 1996, the same year as ID4 (Independance Day), and far better in my opinion, this is a Tim Burton tribute to 1950's "B" SF movies, and is almost a bookend to his tribute Movie to Edward D. Wood Jr - Ed Wood, who is best known for Plan 9 From Outer Space.

This is one you either will love or hate, as with many Burton Movies. The title really explains the whole thing, Mars attacks the Earth. But Burton manages to use a huge Budget to make what looks like a "B" Grade '50's film, and does it with great success. And it has a huge well known cast.

Jack Nicholson X 2, Glenn Close, Annette Bening, Pierce Brosnan, Danny DeVito, Martin Short, Sarah Jessica Parker, Michael J. Fox, Rod Steiger, Tom Jones, Jim Brown, Lukas Haas, Natalie Portman...

...most of whom get killed in quite hilarious ways. The Martians are deliciously evil, and the way that are finally destroyed is a straight steal from Attack of the Killer Tomatos , another baaadddd movie, which Burton obviously knew.

The funniest line goes to Natalie Portman, "Guess it wasn't the dove" but you need to see the movie to know why. But this is closely followed up by Danny DeVito talking to the Martians - "You wanna conquer the world, you're going to need lawyers, right?"

Ack! Ack! Ack! 9/10

Norm

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Geelong, VFA Premiers 1878, 1879, 1800, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1886, AFL Premiers 1925, 1931, 1937, 1951, 1952, 1963, 2007, 2009, 2011, .

The Running Man 1987.

There is not much you can say about Arnie movies, except you just know he is going to win. This is a reality TV show Movie, before reality TV shows existed and much like the much earlier classic Network is a lot more relevant as satire today than it was when it was made.

The plot is simple. Arnie gets trapped into playing in a real life and death TV game, with predictable results. Nothing else really happens except the fights, so leave your hat and brain at the door, grab a beer or three, a bag of Cashews, and just watch. If you like Arnie, it is an enjoyable piece of fluff and typical of his movies with all the inside jokes that we are accustomed to in Arnie movies - "he had to split" is said of one character who Arnie decapitated.

If you don't like him, ignore this like the plague. If you do, this is about as good as it gets, as is my score for any Arnie movie.

6/10

Norm

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Geelong, VFA Premiers 1878, 1879, 1800, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1886, AFL Premiers 1925, 1931, 1937, 1951, 1952, 1963, 2007, 2009, 2011, .

Thuderbirds (2004)

Live action prequal to the much revered 1960's TV puppet show of the same name. The puppets were better actors. Two things of vague interest - Ben Kingsley slumming it and a very young Vanessa Hudgens who showed in this and subsequently in the High School Musical series that she graduated from the Pia Zadora School for Young People Who Can't Act.

I would describe the plot, but actually there wasn't one.

Move along folks, nothing to see here except a train wreck based on a great TV show.

2/10, and one of those just to be able to see the great Ben Kingsley make a complete git out of himself.

Norm

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Geelong, VFA Premiers 1878, 1879, 1800, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1886, AFL Premiers 1925, 1931, 1937, 1951, 1952, 1963, 2007, 2009, 2011, .

By a coincidence, Independence Day (1996) turned up today and as was mentioned a few posts up, released in the same year as the far superior Mars Attacks.

A Space Ship, a quarter of the size of the Moon turns up, starts breaking up into smaller Space Ships which proceed to start blowing up all the major cities on Earth.

Despite ignoring all the laws of Physics in every other scene, having mostly a sleepwalking cast (except for Will Smith in his breakout role, Randy Quaid who is always fun, and Brent Spiner from one of the Star Treks) it is watchable on a sort of a train wreck level, and the special affects are more than passable, especially watching the White House get blown up early in the piece. And Vivaca Fox was (is) gorgeous.

Bill Pullman as the President and Jeff Goldblum as the hero, who saves the world with an Apple Mac, make good bookends, and act just as well, but overall it is not too bad, and worth watching once, maybe twice.

6/10

Norm

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Geelong, VFA Premiers 1878, 1879, 1800, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1886, AFL Premiers 1925, 1931, 1937, 1951, 1952, 1963, 2007, 2009, 2011, .

Cars 2
2011 (G)
Very funny in most parts, good movie for the family.

9/10

Quiz Show (1994)

Extremely entertaining, account of the antics that were got up to in the 1950's USA Quiz Shows. Directed by Robert Redford with an excellent cast, all at the top of their game, John Turturro, Rob Morrow, Ralph Fiennes, Paul Scofield, David Paymer and Hank Azaria (of The Simpsons fame).

The (true) storyline is that in the show 21 (and others, but the Movie concentrates on 21, popular contestants in the Quiz Show were actually given the answers while the ratings held up, then tossed to the wolves and told to blow an answer when somebody better came along, who would get better ratings.

It's a heavily fictionalised version of the facts and events of the day, but still worth a watch, and an interesting view of how TV worked and manipulated audiences in the early days.

The fact is TV Producers still do this with the modern equivalent of the quiz shows - reality TV.

8/10.

Norm

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Geelong, VFA Premiers 1878, 1879, 1800, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1886, AFL Premiers 1925, 1931, 1937, 1951, 1952, 1963, 2007, 2009, 2011, .

Bicentennial Man (1999)

Anyone who is familiar with Isaac Asimov's SF, is probably aware that his ability to write stories which moved people emotionally, as apart from his skill as a writer, was near zero.

Then, in 1976. he actually did it with his Novella Bicentennial Man. He made people care about one of his Robots. It is probably one of the best stories he ever wrote. And eventually, Hollywood got hold of the story, and typically messed it up completely.

Andrew (Robin Williams) is a robot who wants to become recognised as human. That's basically the story, and in the Novella, it has a superb ending, naturally completely ignored in the Movie. It's just Forrest Gump, or The Curious Case of Benjamin Button with nobody caring about what happened, or why it all happened.

5/10, just because Robin Williams is mostly always worth watching.

Norm

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Geelong, VFA Premiers 1878, 1879, 1800, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1886, AFL Premiers 1925, 1931, 1937, 1951, 1952, 1963, 2007, 2009, 2011, .

The Brady Bunch Movie/A Very Brady Sequel

Just shown back to back on Showtime Comedy. Quite funny if you saw much of the original series, with the Brady's still living in the '70's and the rest of the world moving on. Pretty good cast of lookalikes, and a lot of in jokes for those who remember the originals, the plots taken from the original, twisted beyond belief, and especially the jokes about the real life "affairs" that some of the Brady kids had with each other.

7/10, 6/10

Norm

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Geelong, VFA Premiers 1878, 1879, 1800, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1886, AFL Premiers 1925, 1931, 1937, 1951, 1952, 1963, 2007, 2009, 2011, .

I finally watched this after every person I have ever mentioned it to told me I should. It really should be on everbody's must see list.

And, of course for collectors it gave us the year of the Three Kings. I won't be as generous as Ron - I save my 10's for super special moments.

8/10

Norm

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Geelong, VFA Premiers 1878, 1879, 1800, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1886, AFL Premiers 1925, 1931, 1937, 1951, 1952, 1963, 2007, 2009, 2011, .

The Legend of Bagger Vance (2000)

Robert Redford directed this great movie about a has been golfer (Matt Damon) who, with the aid of the mysterious Bagger Vance (Will Smith) plays an invitational four round tournament against golf legends Walter Hagen and Bobby Jones.

Set in the 1930's, it's all about Rannulph Junuh (Damon) finally growing up, and is very well done with a top cast, including Charlize Theron as the love interest, and a cameo by the one and only Jack Lemmon (who also does the narration).

One of the interesting things about this is that it is the exact same movie as one Redford himself starred in a few years before - The Natural - which was about Baseball, rather than Golf. I suspect Redford used a lot of The Natural in framing Bagger Vance.

The viewer is left to wonder who Bagger Vance really was. I have my own ideas, but will let that bit go...

Slow moving, but well and truly worth the time spent.

9/10

Norm

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Geelong, VFA Premiers 1878, 1879, 1800, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1886, AFL Premiers 1925, 1931, 1937, 1951, 1952, 1963, 2007, 2009, 2011, .

Commando (1986)

And Arnie strikes again. This is, if I recall, the first of the Arnie "Have Pun Will Travel" movies.

The plot, such as it is, is Arnies daughter (a very young Alyssa Milano) is kidnapped and Arnie must save her. He has 11 Hours. Dan Hedeya played the bad guy, but after seeing him play Richard Nixon in Dick, I can never watch him with a straight face. He was perfect as Nixon. Rae Dawn Chong was quite funny as the bemused female lead.

One Pun, for old times sake:

Arnie after dropping one of the bad guys off a cliff "I had to let him go".

I don't think I am giving away spoilers by saying that Arnie blows up everything that is not moving and kills everything that is moving in his quest to save his kidnapped daughter, including destroying the good old secret island that has 100's of terrorists on it.

6/10, just for the lousy puns.

Norm

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Geelong, VFA Premiers 1878, 1879, 1800, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1886, AFL Premiers 1925, 1931, 1937, 1951, 1952, 1963, 2007, 2009, 2011, .

Robert A. Heinlein's The Puppet Masters (1994)

I came to the conclusion years ago, that if any more of Robert's Novels ever got turned into movies, I would go, not to see the Movie, but to blow up the theatre. Fortunately I did not have a brick handy to throw through my TV set when I watched this.

Not too bad for the first 30 - 40 minutes, which are quite faithful to the Novel, then the Pot smokers must have got hold of the script...

Simple and terrifying story (in the original). Aliens in the form of slugs invade Earth, and attach themselves to human spinal cords, taking complete control of the people they attach to. How to beat them?

Robert's solution was elegant, and realistic, the movie solution was anal and a complete joke. Not as bad as Starship Troopers, another Heinlein work absolutely mangled by the master mangler Paul Verhoeven, and three points mainly because Donald Sutherland was, as always, quite excellent, and portrayed the Novel character almost exactly as I had always imagined him to be. The rest of the leads... unknown pretty faces who remain...unknown pretty faces.

3/10

Norm

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Geelong, VFA Premiers 1878, 1879, 1800, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1886, AFL Premiers 1925, 1931, 1937, 1951, 1952, 1963, 2007, 2009, 2011, .

"Enemy at the Gates" is worth watching a second time (or a first, if you haven't seen it), if only for the vodka-bare buttocks-lighted match. But there are some excellent scenes which go some way to depicting just how bad it was for Moscow during that time.
8/10.

Having just finished our last "M*A*S*H attack" (for about the 6th time), I've dragged out our Hitchcock collection again. His films may be dated, but 'Birds' still rates a 6 from me; and 'Shadow of a Doubt' is worth my 7.

The original 'Flying High' ('Airplane' in U.S.) managed to score strikes against almost every disaster movie ever made - past, present, and (dare I say it) future. A timeless, completely corny, send-up of everything and everyone in the movie industry. 9/10, even on the 4th?, 5th?, 6th? viewing.

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FORESTS OLD, PASTURES NEW
(An expert is one who knows more and more, about less and less, until they know absolutely everything about nothing at all)

Thanks Jenny, I'll keep an eye out for this one




Dated? Never. The 39 Steps, made in 1935 and starring Robert Donat (who never made a film I have not seen) still stands out today as one of the first and greatest comedy/mysteries of all time.



7th, 8th, 9th, 10th?

"A Hospital, what is it?"
"It's a big building with patients, but that's not important right now"

--------------

"Captain, how soon can you land?"
"I can't tell."
"You can tell me. I'm a doctor."
"No. I mean I'm just not sure."
"Well, can't you take a guess?"
"Well, not for another two hours."
"You can't take a guess for another two hours?"

-------------------

"Johnny, what can you make out of this?"
"This? Why, I can make a hat or a brooch or a pterodactyl..."

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And....

"Joey, have you ever seen a grown man naked?"

"Joey, have you ever been in a Turkish prison?"

"Do you like Gladiator Movies?"

"Scraps is a boy dog"

My god, I've almost memorised the damn thing.

Norm

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Geelong, VFA Premiers 1878, 1879, 1800, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1886, AFL Premiers 1925, 1931, 1937, 1951, 1952, 1963, 2007, 2009, 2011, .

Oh where do you start on a thread like this

Shawshank Redemption..yes! 9/10

Mash...oh yes...a sore point in our house, I bought the complete set (in its
little Med Kit box ) for our daughter after she helped us out a few years back. She's a Medic in the Army and loves Mash...so it seemed appropriate. Trouble is...hubby loves it too! 8/10. He missed out

Have you seen Dragonfly? Stars Kevin Costner, Kathy Bates and Linda Hunt. Classed as an "electrifying supernatural thriller". The movie I watch when I'm home alone! and can watch it in peace! for me 9/10. A companion movie to Cocoon!!!

Starman, starring Jeff Bridges and Karen Allen. Story about a benevolent alien explorer stranded on earth and the woman who becomes his only hope for survival....movie fest with the above. 9/10

Not a movie, but a British Series (British is nearly always the best!) check out on the internet the new series "Mrs. Brown's Sons". Hilarious
along with Black Books, Coupling (need to watch this from episode one so you get to know the characters!) and the "Vicar of Dibley".

So many movies to choose from...like so many others, I have the ones I like to watch over and over again...and then there's the ones you watch occassionally but they are still as good as the first time you watch them.

Then you get something like "The 50 Worst Movies Ever Made" DVD. Bought it for $2.00 in a cheap shop. Thought it was worth a look.
Promo reads as "the budgets are cheap, the acting is terrible, and the plots are nowhere to be seen". Just had to watch it! 1/10 for the movies but 9/10 for the compilation that had us laughing for ages.

Enjoy your movies, whatever your taste. Anne

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I am having fun collecting WW and Indian States.

Oh Fromdownunder, You sound just like my Hubby and second youngest daughter. They can sit in the patio and quote lines from all sorts of movies as if it's normal conversation! . The banter that goes on in hilarious to listeners! Monty Python is one of their favorites, but today, it was all "The Castle".

Next time they do this, I'll be chuckling because I'll be thinking of you!!!

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I am having fun collecting WW and Indian States.

The first Starship Troopers is fun if you have nothing better to do with your evening, and watch an inane popcorn flick to watch...once. The sequel, well that will leave you walking away thinking "there's 90 minutes of my life I won't get back".

That character in Airplane! with his comments to Joey...that will teach kids better than any PSA (Public Service Announcement, the low-budget, badly-acted short-films shown in schools to teach you about life--think Troy McClure in The Simpsons ) about creepy men to stay away from.

I wouldn't call Hitchcock films dated. You could watch anything from the 50s and feel its dated with its Leave it to Beaver "husband works/wife stays at home to cook and clean" set-up. Not to mention films that show characters smoking at their desk in the office or on airplane. Besides, Strangers on a Train gave us Throw Mamma From the Train after all.

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Collecting Mongolia; Thailand; Indo-China; Mourning Covers; OHMS.
My online 'store': http://stampsfromaethelwulf.blogspot.com/

This is one of my (many) favourites. I have it on Video, and unfortunately no longer have a VCR to play it on. Karen Allen never looked better, especially in the final scene with the superb swelling music that finishes the Movie off. An underrated masterpiece.

Norm

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Geelong, VFA Premiers 1878, 1879, 1800, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1886, AFL Premiers 1925, 1931, 1937, 1951, 1952, 1963, 2007, 2009, 2011, .

Last night I sat down and watched "Fried Green Tomatoes (at the Whistle-Stop Cafe)", for probably about the 4th time. I'd almost forgotten just how good Jessica Tandy and Kathy Bates are (or, sadly in Jessica Tandy's case, were). Schmaltzy? Probably, but it still rates a 7 for me.

One I haven't seen for a while, but is on my list again is "Driving Miss Daisy". If it's as good as I remember, it also gets a 7. But then again, the combination of Tandy and Morgan Freeman (with Dan Akroyd thrown in for good measure) is a mix that appeals.

No one here has yet mentioned Whoopie Goldberg. She first came to my notice in "The Colour Purple" which - at the time - was one of Spielberg's better efforts, IMHO, but for me one of her best efforts was "The Telephone" where she has to maintain the integrity of the film almost on her own. Of course - for anyone who's watched it once - who can forget "Jumping Jack Flash". The music; the teeth; and those damn slippers

Speaking of Spielberg, the only movie I have ever voted '10': Schindler's List

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FORESTS OLD, PASTURES NEW
(An expert is one who knows more and more, about less and less, until they know absolutely everything about nothing at all)

Oh mcgooley, how could you!!! I haven't watched Fried Green Tomatoes for ages! We have that on DVD, now I'm going to have to get it out and watch it again! I agree with the 7

And Driving Miss Daisy! I love all movies with Morgan Freeman!

And Whoppie Goldberg. Color Purple was excellent and...oh oh..alzheimers setting in! what's the one where she gets a message from a CIA (I think) agent stuck overseas and she has to decode a song to get clues so she can rescue him???
Don't you hate that!? I can see her sitting in her apartment listening to the song over and over! I'd love to watch that again! Any ideas?

Anne

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I am having fun collecting WW and Indian States.

"Jumping Jack Flash" - 'I don't sing outta key for nothing' The scene where she's in the English embassy with the Shirley Bassey tape is priceless

_________________
FORESTS OLD, PASTURES NEW
(An expert is one who knows more and more, about less and less, until they know absolutely everything about nothing at all)

Driving Miss Daisy won the Best Picture Oscar. As I recall, it was released in cinemas at the 'last minute' before the cutoff point for that year's awards. As it was generally believed that a film had to be around for awhile to 'create buzz' and generate a following, it was seen as a longshot nominee as it wasn't really hugely known.

Great film, the humour is subtle, the acting superb. Tandy's character's slightly snobbish air and stubborn streak are most entertaining.

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Collecting Mongolia; Thailand; Indo-China; Mourning Covers; OHMS.
My online 'store': http://stampsfromaethelwulf.blogspot.com/

Woman of the Year (1942)

I just watched this on TCM. One of the earlier pairings of Spencer Tracy and Katharine Hepburn. What more needs to be said? Tracy had a flair for understated comedy - he seemed to have more facial muscles than anybody else except Amanda Bynes - , and Katie could do anything.

Utterly hilarious romantic comedy, especially late in the movie when Katie decides she needs to cook breakfast for Spence.

Two great actors at the top of their game, and with the fact that they were real life partners (kept a secret for 20 years, until after Tracy died). Topped, by me, only by their pairing in Desk Set and of course Guess Who's Coming to Dinner.

But whenever they were together, it was all good.

Norm

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Geelong, VFA Premiers 1878, 1879, 1800, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1886, AFL Premiers 1925, 1931, 1937, 1951, 1952, 1963, 2007, 2009, 2011, .

Windtalkers (2002) Rated (R)

Two U.S. Marines in WWII are assigned to protect Navajo Marines who use their native language as an unbreakable radio cypher.

WWII. Joe Enders, a decorated Marine who is by-the-book to a fault, is just coming back on duty (by cheating on his medical tests). "Ox" Anderson, much greener, is also getting the same new task: Protect the Navajo code talkers (Ben Yahzee and Charles Whitehorse, respectively). While Enders is initially frustrated with his assignment, his respect grows as the code talkers prove their worth in the brutal battle to take Saipan.

Director:
John Woo
Stars:
Nicolas Cage, Adam Beach and Peter Stormare

I thought it was brilliant!

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Tempus fugit

Schindler's List (1993) Rated (R)

"Oskar Schindler is a vainglorious and greedy German businessman who becomes unlikely humanitarian amid the barbaric Nazi reign when he feels compelled to turn his factory into a refuge for Jews. Based on the true story of Oskar Schindler who managed to save about 1100 Jews from being gassed at the Auschwitz concentration camp. A testament for the good in all of us."

Director:
Steven Spielberg

Stars:
Liam Neeson, Ralph Fiennes and Ben Kingsley

I am NOT a movie critic and will not give you my in depth thoughts on a movie. Everyone has different tastes and some movies rated highly by others have put me to sleep or I have walked out of the theatre. I just give you the "writeup" and a personal comment. I laugh at people who say movies like Pearl Harbor are not factual. If you want the facts, go to the Library, if you want to be entertained, go to the movies.

Unforgettable - Brilliant - Upsetting at times - Memorable!

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Tempus fugit

And back to back classics.

To Kill a Mockingbird. (1962)

I imagine that for every American schoolboy, this book was required reading up to a few years ago (a bit like Catcher in the Rye). I only caught up with the book about three years ago, and find that the film adaptation was very faithful to the book, and although slow, well worth watching.

A small town Southern lawyer, Atticus Finch, (Gregory Peck in one of his best roles) defends a black man against a rape charge with predictable results. Set in the 1930's it is a superb comment on racial prejudice, and as good as Peck's other performance in a "race" based movie, A Gentleman's Agreement

But it is also a story about children obtaining values which will benefit them for the rest of their lives, particularly Atticus' daughter "Scout". A very early appearence by Robert Duvall as "Boo" adds some interest.

9/10

Norm

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Geelong, VFA Premiers 1878, 1879, 1800, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1886, AFL Premiers 1925, 1931, 1937, 1951, 1952, 1963, 2007, 2009, 2011, .

And one more (although this might be a little more "out there")

Metropolis

a German film, made in 1927 and directed by Fritz Lang, which I last saw about 35 years ago and haunts me to this day.

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FORESTS OLD, PASTURES NEW
(An expert is one who knows more and more, about less and less, until they know absolutely everything about nothing at all)

Hi mcgooley, I did say that the Alzheimer's was kicking in when I asked what the film was, "that you named in the previous post" "Jumping Jack Flash" Love that movie!

How about Mercury Rising? Stars Bruce Willis, a renegade FBI agent protecting a nine year old autistic boy who has cracked the governments new "unbreakable" code. Full of suspense, action and of course the eventual romantic ? encounter. A feel good movie...in the end!

It's another movie that I add to "Ladder 49" as a suspense/adventure movie fest night.... well, as opposed to a chick flick, 'let's have a box of tissues night'!
I do love the occassional box of tissue nights...but it has to be a night where hubby is at work so I can cry happily in peace with my box of tissues by my side! Or have to endure the "what are you crying for? it's only a movie! get over it". Such a spoil sport!

Great thread with lots of movies that I now want to watch!

Have fun at the "movies" everyone.

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I am having fun collecting WW and Indian States.

Although I actively seek out old movies I had never until last week seen "Kiss me Kate"

Apart from the really schlonky acting from Keel and Grayson what a brilliant movie it is

The concept of a stage show within a film ( maybe done better in "Stop the World" ) worked very well and the music is just glorious

Stars of the show ? - without doubt the singing, dancing goons

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When a man comes to me for advice, I find out the kind of advice he wants, and I give it to him

Phone Booth (2002)

A fairly uninteresting cast, except for brief appearances from Kiefer Sutherland and a youngish Katie Holmes, but a quite claustrophobic movie about a sniper who traps a man in a Public Phone booth, threataning to kill him unless he reveals to his wife that he is having an affair. While I said uninteresting cast, Colin Farrell did a pretty good job as the man trapped inside the Phone Booth, and makes it fairly tense throughout.

After the introduction, the story is told in "real time", and I understand that the whole thing was filmed over only a very few days in a real New York location. And of course, it has the usual really obvious surprise finish.

It's a good watch, and I have seen it a couple of times. Give me a year, and I could watch it again.

7/10

Norm

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Geelong, VFA Premiers 1878, 1879, 1800, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1886, AFL Premiers 1925, 1931, 1937, 1951, 1952, 1963, 2007, 2009, 2011, .

Downunder, I agree with that one! I think I've watched Phonebooth at least 3 times.

Keep an eye out also for Starman on DVD. My video tape was nearly worn out when I spotted the DVD in The Big W cheap bin. Got it for $6 or $7 from memory!

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I am having fun collecting WW and Indian States.

Apart from Dances With Wolves, Kevin Costner has had a somewhat chequered career - witness Waterworld and The Postman as the two most infamous examples. But for some reason he excells when he is in movies involving Sport - Bull Durham, For Love of the Game, and of course Field of Dreams.

Which brings me to Tin Cup (1990), a nice story about a has been golfer, now the resident Pro on a fourth rate driving range in the middle of nowhere, who somehow qualifies for the US Open, and the story that unfolds when he plays the four rounds.

It also has the most amazing last hole scene in the history of golf movies. It is a stupid, ridiculous, and impossible scene, but it actually works and makes the whole movie worth watching.

Rene Russo plays the love interest, and Cheech Martin (of Cheech and Chong) the comic relief caddy.

7/10

Norm

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Geelong, VFA Premiers 1878, 1879, 1800, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1886, AFL Premiers 1925, 1931, 1937, 1951, 1952, 1963, 2007, 2009, 2011, .

Remakes (and sequels) are the bane of my life. I have never seen a remake which was even close to the original in quality, regardless of how good or bad the original was.

But I finally relented and watched, well, the last hour, of The Haunting (1999) I had heard that it was bad, but words can barely describe how bad it is.

I am very familiar with the Robert Wise 1963 version of this movie, and it did and does still frighten the bejeesus out of me nearly 50 years later. The beauty of the earlier version is that you did not see anything frightening. The dialogue, the music, the script, and minimum special effects (e.g., bulging doors) played on individual imaginations to wonder what is behind the door, who was holding her hand, why is the house simply wrong in every aspect.

Now we come to 1999 and nobody is allowed to use their imagination any more. You have to be shown everything via CGI, and once you see it you know it's fake. The suspension of disbelief vanishes. It's all there right in front of you, no mental process necessary.

So a brief word about the cast.. Liam Neeson, the man who went from Nell and Schindlers list to Star Wars Episode One, and this THING! Surely he did not need money this badly. Katherine Zeta-Jones. Well she looks pretty. Lili Taylor screams fairly well at times, but like everybody else has to wrestle with a completely inane script and story line.

Oh, the story - people move into a haunted house.

1/10

Norm

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Geelong, VFA Premiers 1878, 1879, 1800, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1886, AFL Premiers 1925, 1931, 1937, 1951, 1952, 1963, 2007, 2009, 2011, .

I would say sequels can be OK, when done in moderation. If there's legitimately something more that can be added to a story--follow-up with the characters later in life, or another event happens to them. But as Bruce Willis said in Die Hard 2, "Why does this keep happening to me?"

The 'thinking' at studios nowadays seems to be "if it turns a profit, lets try to find a way to make a sequel", and then they'lll keep doing sequels until its a dead horse. Superman IV anyone?

On the other hand doing a remake should be banned. When I mentioned House of Wax the other day to someone, they replied "Oh yeah, from a few years ago with Paris Hilton". I grew up watching a Saturday-morning show produced locally in Canada called Hilarious House of Frightenstein (well worth Youtube-ing) and that was my introduction to Vincent Price. He might not have always done the greatest films, but that voice.

House of Wax, 1953 (to know about the 2003 remake, ask a teenager )

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Collecting Mongolia; Thailand; Indo-China; Mourning Covers; OHMS.
My online 'store': http://stampsfromaethelwulf.blogspot.com/

Oddly enough, when I added sequels to my earlier post, I was also thinking of the Superman franchise. Superman II was never intended to be a sequel, but the second part of a two part movie, after an ambiguous finish to the first movie, and a "to be continued..." at the end. Then the Salkind's fired Richard Donner, ordered much of the footage to be re-shot, and hired Richard Lester as Director for the now sequel.

So Donner's vision for the Superman series was never realised, and the franchise was totally wrecked (see not only Superman IV but Superman III as well).

I have a copy of Superman II (The Donner cut), which was cobbled together a few years ago from archival footage shot by Donner, and shows where he intended to head the series. While not a complete movie, it is far superior to Lester's final result.

Had he been given the creative license to continue the series, the subsequent two movies, the disasters that became Superman III, Superman IV, Supergirl, and the total mess that was Superman Returns may never have happened.

Norm

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Geelong, VFA Premiers 1878, 1879, 1800, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1886, AFL Premiers 1925, 1931, 1937, 1951, 1952, 1963, 2007, 2009, 2011, .

I saw "The Artist" last week - the B&W movie that everyone is raving about and which is gaining lots of awards and which is up for a number of Oscars including Best Picture

I didn't think that this was anywhere NEAR as good as most of the critics and award-givers think it is. Yes it is well crafted and the attention to detail is excellent But the plot is boring and while the acting was over the top as you would expect it to be I thought it was too far over- with the exception of the remarkable James Cromwell who gave his usual stellar understated performance.( BTW watch out for a brilliant little cameo from Joel Murray as the policeman.) But why the dog??? - yup super cute and a great little performer - but why would a movie star have a dog like that? I got the impression that someone saw Uggie perform somewhere and decided that he just had to be tacked on to a movie. Nope sorry guys - this movie is not for me and was extremely disappointing

3/10

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When a man comes to me for advice, I find out the kind of advice he wants, and I give it to him

Dead Man Walking (1995)

Susan Sarandon and Sean Penn star in this pro/anti Capital Punishment movie. It can be viewed either way, and is beautifully realised, with great acting from the two leads. It is apparently based on a true story, and tells the tale of a Nun who decides to embrace a man who is about to die for horrific thrill kill murders of a couple of teenagers.

Fantastic acting, and you would accept no less from the leads. If you need to think, and get your thoughts about capital punishment as good or bad, this is the movie for you.

9/10

Norm

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Geelong, VFA Premiers 1878, 1879, 1800, 1882, 1883, 1884, 1886, AFL Premiers 1925, 1931, 1937, 1951, 1952, 1963, 2007, 2009, 2011, .