I Feel Myself at the movies!

nihpuad · 20-10-06 06:18:30

Burlesque wrote:

The other film I saw last night was Ian McKellen's "Richard III". I have seen it a number of times before, but it just keeps getting better. If anyone likes Shakespeare and/or McKellen, this is as good as it gets. I don't normally like it when Shakespeare is updated (I would just get rude and unprintable if I were to expound on my feelings regarding "Romeo + Juliet"), but this version of "Richard III" takes place in the 1930's and draws clever parallels to Nazi Germany. It's the best Shakespeare film I've ever seen, and one of the best films of any type in my not particularly humble opinion.

Another "transformational" Shakespeare film is Orson Welle's The Chimes at Midnight. It doesn't mess with setting, time, or dress, but it does re-imagine the narrative flow, focusing on Falstaff (actually, Falstaff is apparently an alternate title) and stringing together the character's story from bits of both Henry IV plays and Henry V. I haven't seen it since I was in undergraduate school (wayyyy too long ago now), but I recall being blown away by how good it was. I'll have to hunt for it on DVD.

Burlesque · 20-10-06 09:46:21

"Chimes at Midnight". Good recommendation. I had a bit of a look around the more obvious places on the Web. Amazon has it, but it costs $43! Not an easy film to get hold of on DVD, it seems.

Orson Welles' "Othello" leaves much to be desired, but he himself is very good in it. I have his "Macbeth" too, but I haven't gotten around to seeing it yet (work and such trivialities tend to get in the way).

Burlesque.

The_Elfman · 20-10-06 11:33:33

Joutneyfan wrote:

Was Roundhay Grammar your school Elf?

I only moved to Leeds 20 years ago JF. I grew up in Doncaster. The school I attended (Bentley Secondary Modern) was there to basically give us somewhere to go before we went down the pit at the age of 15 (a fate which I escaped). I did get my first taste of Shakespeare and the stage there though playing Cassius in a school production of Julius Caeser.

My favourite Shakespearean films:

Richard II
Othello
Macbeth
Richard III
King Lear

Elfman

Journeyfan · 20-10-06 19:54:40

The_Elfman wrote:

Journeyfan wrote:
Was Roundhay Grammar your school Elf?
I only moved to Leeds 20 years ago JF. I grew up in Doncaster. The school I attended (Bentley Secondary Modern) was there to basically give us somewhere to go before we went down the pit at the age of 15 (a fate which I escaped). I did get my first taste of Shakespeare and the stage there though playing Cassius in a school production of Julius Caeser.
Elfman

A "Donny" lad eh? Still, after 20 years in Leeds I think you must have at least earned "honourary" citizenship of the city ... or maybe I should say you deserve a medal!

I say that because I have several friends from the South Yorkshire area (mainly Sheffield and Barnsley areas and a couple originally from Nottingham now living on the outskirts of Sheffield) and I have got to say that it is my experience that folk from South Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire areas generally seem so much more friendly and genuine than folk in Leeds. In fact even folk originating from the towns close to Leeds (Wakefield, Castleford, Normanton etc.) Don't get me wrong most of my friends are from Leeds, I just meaning folk in general - I wonder why that is or maybe it is just my perception?

It certainly looks like a "State" education did you no harm at all Elfman

In my case, I think my parents sent me to public school for several reasons:

- Both my Uncle and Father had attended the same school.

- My maternal Grandfather had been a rather "authoritarian" Headmaster of a large school in Hull and was hugely influential on my pre-school education. (Sadly he passed away when I was only 5 years old, but largely due to his influence, I was already quite proficient in the "three R's" before I started school - I also have him to thank for, what quite quickly became my lifelong love of History and English Literature).

- The "11 Plus" was about to be abolished and my folks feared the local comprehensive, as it had an appalling reputation and therefore decided to enter me for the Grammar School entrance examination, which I think I passed by the "skin of my teeth!" - I was certainly never a "high flyer".

- They certainly couldn't have afforded the Grammar School fees nowadays and, even back in the late 60s and 70s, had to sacrifice a lot to pay for me! (Fortunately help towards fees was still available then under the Direct Grant Scheme, as this was before the Labour Government of the day foolishly abolished the scheme and really "shot themselves in the foot" as, whilst it "forced" many "Grammar Schools" to become State schools, the more financially stable public schools, like mine, just metaphorically said "sod you!" and became independent schools, meaning the fees went through the roof and therefore became even more elitist and unobtainable to ordinary working class folk!)

One interesting point that comes out of it all is that I didn't ever consider sending my daughter to public school - familiarity breeds contempt perhaps - or more likely because I believe that generally, good parenting and even a "half decent" school can produce equally good results and possibly a more balanced start in life. Just my humble opinion.

JF

Last edited by Journeyfan (20-10-06 21:29:02)

bodyhead · 20-10-06 23:24:50

Journeyfan wrote:

I say that because I have several friends from the South Yorkshire area (mainly Sheffield and Barnsley areas and a couple originally from Nottingham now living on the outskirts of Sheffield) and I have got to say that it is my experience that folk from South Yorkshire and Nottinghamshire areas generally seem so much more friendly and genuine than folk in Leeds. In fact even folk originating from the towns close to Leeds (Wakefield, Castleford, Normanton etc.) Don't get me wrong most of my friends are from Leeds, I just meaning folk in general - I wonder why that is or maybe it is just my perception?

Not wanting to offend anyone - I said this as well a couple of months ago. When I lived in York and Nottingham, (at different times of course), I went to various cities in the area quite a lot, and Derby, Sheffield and Nottingham (had to keep Derby and Nottingham apart, I really don't understand the hostility though, apart from football shinnanigans) had a much better feeling to them than other Northern cities, apart from York, which can afford to be nice).
And Nottingham is not the 'gun capital' of Britain - that's just a statistical artefact.
Not going to say what I feel about Manchester - I might get into trouble.

Burlesque · 20-10-06 23:31:08

Manchester suuuuuucks!!!! (Just thought I'd take the heat for you, Bodyhead.)

Burlesque.

Journeyfan · 21-10-06 02:30:17

bodyhead wrote:

Not wanting to offend anyone - I said this as well a couple of months ago. When I lived in York and Nottingham, (at different times of course), I went to various cities in the area quite a lot, and Derby, Sheffield and Nottingham (had to keep Derby and Nottingham apart, I really don't understand the hostility though, apart from football shinnanigans) had a much better feeling to them than other Northern cities, apart from York, which can afford to be nice).
And Nottingham is not the 'gun capital' of Britain - that's just a statistical artefact.
Not going to say what I feel about Manchester - I might get into trouble.

I do know what you mean about Manchester, Bodyhead - I quite regularly visit as it is the nearest city that has decent concert venues in abundance (G-Mex. NEM Arena, Carling Apollo, and numerous smaller ones) - Sheffield and Nottingham are also far better than Leeds in this respect. In fact Leeds is absolute garbage, to say it is supposedly a major city - Not one Arena or even mid-sized live music venue - bloody hell, even Hull has an Arena! .... Sorry - just a pet gripe of mine.

What I have found with Manchester is a similar situation to Leeds, in that I know quite a few folk from towns surrounding Manchester - e.g. Bolton, Leigh, Rochdale - and they are much friendlier (except to Mancunians! )

I don't know whether it is just a "big city thing" as it is certainly not only isolated to northern cities - I have always found London to be the worst offender when it comes to an unfriendly atmosphere.

JF

subliminal · 25-10-06 23:54:04

Two movies that focus mainly on dialogue, of somewhat dysfunctional characters,
are "What Happened Was" and "The Wife". Both are directed by Tom Noonan, who also acts in them. Both take place in one evening, with people talking at dinner and after. I really like them - they are quite moving and creepy.

I guess the original movie like this is another great one: "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf". I haven't seen "My Dinner with Andre".

Someone earlier mentioned Famke Jannsen. I was recently really impressed by seeing "The Bourne Identity" again. The characters are really well developed and acted, at least Jannsen and Damon.

Burlesque · 25-10-06 23:57:22

Welcome to the forum, Subliminal!

I knew that Tom Noonan had directed a couple of things, but I haven't seen them - he's a very good actor, though. For some reason I like dialogue-based films, and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf is one of the greats, I concur!

Burlesque.

Cate · 04-12-06 07:33:27

I've been a culture junkie this weekend with much of my time sent listening to music, reading, watching movies and painting (unfourtunatley someone elses work).

I bought a set of three Errol Morris Doco's I only had time to watch Gates of Heaven which is about a pet Cemetary and the people who run it. There's an interesting story behined this film Werner Herzog bet Morris in an effort to encourage him that he would eat his own shoe if Morris actually made the film. This resulted in the quite charming short film Werner Herzog Eats his Shoe which I'm sure can be found on You Tube and is worth the effort of looking for.

aven frey · 04-12-06 08:26:46

Oh Cate, I read this now (you've gone home) and I wish you'd told me your into Errol Morris! I have this doco set and I would have loved to have leant you something in return for lending me the wonderful 'Lost Girls' books!!

Siobhan · 04-12-06 08:42:08

i think everyone would concur that you should go for it, cal

Siobhan · 10-12-06 16:24:43

update: Thanks to Cal, there's now an exciting LOST GIRLS thread! Check it out.

Meanwhile, there've been a few wonderful australian movies, but so long ago -- flirting, the one with the gay russell crowe character and his dad . . . hmm. oh! well of course strictly ballroom and priscilla. what else? If I wanted to watch some Australian movies, where should I begin?

Calenture · 11-12-06 05:29:18

You could start with the triple whammy from 2005, which resulted in a unique situation where there was actual competition at the Australian film awards.

LOOK BOTH WAYS (best director and script, deserved)

LITTLE FISH (most of the acting awards, deserved - with Hugo Weaving as a bisexual heroin addict who used to be a pro rugby player, a performance that has to be seen to be believed)

THE PROPOSITION (best cinematography and score, deserved)

Then you could go on to LANTANA.

And RABBIT-PROOF FENCE is supposed to be good, although I haven't seen it.

See Richard. It's not SO bad.

Last edited by Calenture (24-01-07 12:05:39)

Cate · 11-12-06 06:53:52

I'd also recomend the proposition it's flawed but beautiful. Ghosts of the Civil dead by the same director John Hillcoat is also quite good. Picnic at Hanging Rock is a classic well worth watching. I don't really keep much track of Australian films though.

matilda · 12-12-06 07:24:01

Rabbit-Proof Fence is amazing, but likely to make you want to just slit your wrists. Or perhaps not, as it is also a story of amazing human perseverence in the face of evil....

I just saw What the Bleep do We Know -- what a mind-bender.

Oh, back to Austraila, er no, New Zealand -- Jane Campion's film Angel at My Table.

Arielle · 12-12-06 07:39:16

See Jindabyne. From the makers of Lantana.

Its an incredibly taut and compelling drama that raises a lot of moral and social questions about race, ethics and social politics. It also frightened me terribly and I had nightmares about it. Ok that might not sound like the best sales pitch ever, but it really is a great film.

bolero · 12-12-06 08:42:21

This is quite a long thread and many of the posts are word marathons, and I am pretty lazy when it comes to tasks requiring sustained concentration of more than 2 minutes. So I'll just have to ask all you beautiful people who have posted here - has anyone mentioned "Whale Rider" annnyyywwhherree.

Boelro

Siobhan · 12-12-06 09:10:05

Hi Bolero -- yeah, a royal bunch of windbags we are! Maybe we should make it a habit to bold our titles for those who don't like to scan when they read

First, Shout out to Matilda! Courageous woman, braving the boards.

Thanks for the AUS movie recs, and also the NZ one. Meanwhile, I totally loved Whale Rider. That young girl (now young woman, I see) is an amazing actor.
Wait, Bolero! Do I recall correctly that you are from NZ?? ANd that you speak Maori?? it's all coming back. that's so very wow.

Last edited by Siobhan (12-12-06 09:12:07)

matilda · 13-12-06 01:29:01

Yes -- Kerry Fox plays write/poet Janet Frame. Just remembering it makes me want to see it again. It's one of those tragic stories where the woman who won't conform gets stuck in mental hospital.

Thanks for the welcomes.

I loved Whale Rider too! And while were there, how about Once Were Warriors?

I'm intrigued by the sound of Jindabyne, Lantana was great -- but Arielle you've got me afraid to see it! I'm not so sure about Raymond Carver, I forget what other movie I saw that was based on his short stories, but I know it was deeply disturbing and may have give me nightmares. Must be his specialty.

Arielle · 13-12-06 04:43:45

Hello Matilda and welcome to the family!

Jindabyne is great, and will definitely make its mark in your memory. Don't worry about getting scared - I think its just me, I'm a total sooky pants and tend to freak out and get completely spooked by movies quite easily. Even ones that are meant to be more funny than scary have me sleeping with the lights on for weeks after. Weirdly I also really like skeletons and Halloween stuff.

Once Were Warriors was brilliant.

I saw a trailer for Apocalypto. Has anyone heard anything good about it? I love anything South American but all the reviews I've read reckon its just uber-violent and not a lot else.

Calenture · 13-12-06 05:59:41

Jindabyne (I haven't seen it yet but it's on my 'to do' list) is based on a Raymond Carver short story that also formed the basis for one of the episodes in Robert Altman's 'Short Cuts' - which is the movie I presume Matilda is referring to.

Last edited by Calenture (18-04-09 15:08:23)

polarchill · 13-12-06 09:21:58

Calenture wrote:

Jindabyne (I haven't seen it yet but it's on my 'to do' list) is based on a Raymond Carver short story that also formed the basis for one of the episodes in Robert Altman's 'Short Cuts' - which is the movie I presume Matilda is referring to.

Ah, Short Cuts. I went to see that with three friends, and I was the only one who left the theater happy. Robert Altman was just too harsh for their little movie worlds. Sissies . . .

shamFritters · 13-12-06 21:47:11

Siobhan wrote:

... the one with the gay russell crowe character and his dad . . .

"The Sum of Us" I think that one's called. Excellent quiet little movie. Do you suppose Russell Crowe would do that movie now?

Hey again, Matilda! LOVED Once Were Warriors!

Have you seen Betty Blue? It's a french 80's movie (I think the French title was 37 ° 2 le Matin) which created a lifelong crush on Beatrice Dalle. Things also don't end so well for her.

Last edited by shamFritters (13-12-06 21:53:59)

Arielle · 14-12-06 03:44:17

The scissor scene in Betty Blue still haunts me to this day.

Speaking of scenes that stay with you - I watched the R18+ version of Apocalypse Now in high school and even though I squeezed my eyes shut at the last second I can still see that buffalo being chopped up. I hardly remember anything else about that movie.

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