What Movie Did You Watch This Weekend?

[doodler]

It's on line and for free.

I don't see that Heath's death would have ever affected the Batman series. For everyone but us, he was just someone playing the Joker. Batman fans are BATMAN fans. This is the end of this trilogy, but it will rise again.

[bubba]

I thought he totally stole the show on that last movie.   And I know a heck of a lot of people who thought the same, the JOKER was huge (and the very best part of that movie)!!   Probably Heath's most famous role amongst the general public.  I imagine he must have spun in his grave on hearing about that shooting.

[doodler]

I agree. Heath is the only reason I saw that film... even though I waited and waited... just couldn't  make myself see it.
I've seen bits and pieces of other Batman films, just not into comic book characters and have no desire to see an more. Or to watch Heath's film again.

[ingmarnicebbmt]

I've seen bits and pieces of other Batman films, just not into comic book characters and have no desire to see an more. Or to watch Heath's film again.

Ditto.

[bubba]

I agree. Heath is the only reason I saw that film... even though I waited and waited... just couldn't  make myself see it.
I've seen bits and pieces of other Batman films, just not into comic book characters and have no desire to see an more. Or to watch Heath's film again.

Oh I bought the last one, because I thought Heath was brilliant in it.   I am not a fan of the Batman movies, according to the critics this last one is a better film.  I am not much into the comic book stuff either.   I did like the Spiderman movies, didn't see the last one of that either.


I think the last movie I watched was Amelia, I was a bit late on that one.  I actually quite enjoyed it..

[kathy]

I thought he totally stole the show on that last movie.   And I know a heck of a lot of people who thought the same, the JOKER was huge (and the very best part of that movie)!!   Probably Heath's most famous role amongst the general public.  I imagine he must have spun in his grave on hearing about that shooting.

Ditto. 

kathy 

[CellarDweller115]

I thought he totally stole the show on that last movie.   And I know a heck of a lot of people who thought the same, the JOKER was huge (and the very best part of that movie)!!   Probably Heath's most famous role amongst the general public.

There are a few people that are saying the same thing about Anne Hathaway as Catwoman, that she stole every scene she was in.  There is even talk of a Catwoman movie because of the reaction the character and Anne is getting.

[bubba]

And Anne is the reason I will see this one.  I would support the four of them (well the three I guess   ) in anything they do).   And it isn't much of an effort on Anne's part, she is amazing in most things.   


I passed the theatre in town today, Batman was playing, I tell you I just don't think I could go in, the shooting thing has just wierded me out!

[canmark]

The documentary The Queen of Versailles is the best movie I've seen recently. It's about a ridiculously rich American family (the father is a workaholic who runs what he says is the largest privately-owned timeshare company in the world and the mother is a former beauty queen, 30 years his junior) who, as the film begins, are building the largest private home in America (modeled on the Palace of Versailles). The wife, the titular (and busty) Queen, is particularly fun. She, and a fleet of Filipino nannys and servants run their current Florida mansion, until they are forced to make cutbacks due to the financial crisis. The gruff father struggles to keep his business afloat, as financing has dried up. And while we might not feel as bad for the rich people who suffered under the financial collapse as we do for normal people, still, it's nice (I suppose) to know that they 'suffered' too.

http://www.magpictures.com/thequeenofversailles/

Other than that, I've seen a string of mostly mediocre and disappointing films of late: Woody Allen's To Rome With Love (I hear his next film will take place in San Francisco), Ted, Seeking a Friend for the End of the World, the new Batman and Spider-Man movies, 21 Jump Street, American Reunion, Think Like a Man. Moonrise Kingdom, Hysteria and The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel were good, though.

And I watched two movies on DVD because I had seen the musicals that were based on them. Once, the Tony Award-winning musical, is a charming low-budget film about a singer/songwriter in Dublin who is encouraged by a Czech immigrant. SPOILER: it's a tender love story where the lovers end up apart. Similarly, Dogfight, a non-musical film starring River Phoenix and Lili Taylor, is a charming film about a Marine (in the early 1960's) who, over the course of a night, meets and develops a relationship with a plain-Jane-type girl (who reminded me of Ugly Betty). SPOILER: again, this is a touching love story where the lovers end up apart. Both stage shows are very good, particularly Once, now on Broadway (the cast CD is amazing). Dogfight is currently playing off-Broadway, and has this touching song ending the first act, Pretty Funny: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IwmyfkodQM

[Lyle (Mooska)]

Canmark, can you write a bit about what you thought of the Dogfight musical (on the theater thread if you wish)?  I have wondered about that because I have always thought the film Dogfight was a little gem and am glad you liked it, too.

***

I saw Spiderman and thought it was pretty good.  The villain isn't "that" interesting a character, but Andrew Garfield and Emma Stone make the film, I think.  I don't think we really needed another Spiderman film all ready, but here it is and there you have it.

I saw 360 and found it quite good.  It's much like La Ronde.

The Odd Life of Timothy Green requires a lot of "the suspension of disbelief" and even then it is just okay.  I can see people either getting really into this film or tearing it apart from one end to the other.  It has some pluses--the actor playing Timothy never veers into sappiness territory.  The photogrpahy by John Toll (Legends of the Fall) is quite lovely and Dianne Weist keeps things from falling apart.  On the other hand, I have never understood the appeal of Jennifer Garner. I've never thought her a sexy beauty, a great actress or even slightly fascinating.  She's a cipher.  Passable, but that's about it. It's a "Disney" release, so expect your heartstrings to be plucked if you have a desire to see it.

[killersmom]

Judith Crist - Film Critic died today.
She was 90.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/08/movies/judith-crist-film-critic-dies-at-90.html?pagewanted=all

[Jeff Wrangler]

Judith Crist - Film Critic died today.
She was 90.

http://www.nytimes.com/2012/08/08/movies/judith-crist-film-critic-dies-at-90.html?pagewanted=all

Good grief!

I hadn't thought of her in years, until I ran across her name--somewhere  --just recently, and thought to myself that she must have died years ago. 

[killersmom]

I remember her from years ago, and how much she hated "The Sound of Music".

[doodler]

Warching Game Plan with Dwayne Johnson. It's a sticky sweet film with a too cute little girl, but I like it. The Rock is, as always, gorgeous and doesn't mind poking fun at himself, so what's not to like!

[Jane-UK]

Hi all - been away perhaps too long to join in the Batman review, but saw the final instalment a couple of weeks ago.  In the UK we had largely positive reviews, like most of you I suppose there are always critics you tend to follow/have some empathy with - and that's the case with me.  I tend towards proper stories with acting v special effects/3D.  I saw TDKR in a small local cinema (not IMAX) which is an independent theatre so was able to judge it purely on storyline and acting.  Much as most of you I thought Heath Ledger stole the show in the second film, but the third one totally belonged to Christian Bale and to a lesser extent the wrapping up of his past with a superb Michael Caine and to a lesser extent Morgan Freeman, both actors who no longer have to impress anyone and I am sure can pick and choose their roles.

Anne Hathaway was for me a central part of this film and she did impress me (at last).  I didn't like her at all in BBM and found her perfomance then lacking in characterisation and delivery but as Catwoman she was very good.  I thought the whole triology was superb, as a comic book interpretation it's always going to be difficult to sastisfy fans and translate it all to the big screen but Nolan did an epic job.  A great director and I understand he was determined to shoot most of the action rather than rely on CGI.  Will be going to watch it again this week, it's been on at said local cinema for a good while now, bless them as most of the films at the moment are for kids due to the summer holidays! 

Will be watching the Bourne movie as well this week - not sure if I can cope without seeing Matt Damon but am prepared to give the new one a chance.  Anyone else going to see Bourne Legacy?