What Movie Did You Watch This Weekend?

[canmark]

I've not read the The Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins but I did go see the film at the urging my teenager.  The material certainly is a bit more grounded than Harry Potter - set on a different stage.  Clearly there are jabs at the 1% vs. 99% whether they are intentional or not, it's hard for me not get that reference out of my head.  Sadly, this film never really explores or really explains that story line beyond it's been this way for 74 years since the great uprising - so I suppose we have to wait or read the books for those details.  

I agree that the film missed the opportunity to explore the political side of this dystopian future world. There were hints at the rationale behind the gladiator-like Hunger Games when Donald Sutherland (as the President) says, "Hope, it is the only thing stronger than fear. A little hope is effective, a lot of hope is dangerous." So they give the oppressed people their bread and circuses, their blood sport reality TV show where someone gets to be a hero. And they forget how they live in hunger while the effete elites in the Capital live in garish luxury.

But while the dystopian world was a fine idea, I found the film to be rather boring and disappointing. And for hungry people, why did they all look so fit and well-fed?

[suelyblu]

What channel/network did you see this on?  I've wanted to see it for a long time.

I think it was on last Friday. I recorded it. I'm sure it was on the Channel *Film 4*.  I have deleted it now ....but I think this is correct.

Great film.....hope you can catch it sometime.

[Lyle (Mooska)]

I read a review of it in the Sunday Times, I don't think they knew how much of it was true either, probably something to read and then keep in the back of your mind and put into context when more provable and documented evidence comes along. It sounds fun anyhow.

More about the Hollywood memoir FULL SERVICE.

Last week's L.A. Weekly had an interesting article about the book with these
provocative lines:

Section:
A Considerable Town
by Paul Teetor

THE AWFUL TRUTH

Scotty Bowers’ tell-all exposes Hollywood’s darkest sexual secrets. After an initial wave of skepticism the verdict is increasingly clear: It’s true.

It was a real-life Perry Mason moment in the public trial of Scotty Bowers’ credibility.  The press has largely covered Full Service as cocktail-party gossip. Even The New York Times simply repeated Bowers’ claims, with the down-and-dirty details [...] Bob Benevides’ [Raymond Burr's partner] conversation with L.A. Weekly, then, was something new: factchecking. Reached by phone, previously unaware that he was even mentioned in the book, he confirms everything.

http://digitalissue.laweekly.com/article/10592.html

And this week:  An article comprised of edited reader comments to the L.A. Weekly about
this subject:

Gay Old Times
Comments
by L.A. Weekly readers
Thursday, Apr 5 2012

The story that had everyone talking last week was Paul Teetor's exploration of the claims made by Scotty Bowers ("The Awful Truth," March 30). The octogenarian's memoir, Full Service: My Adventures in Hollywood and the Secret Sex Lives of the Stars, alleges that he procured discreet gay lovers for closeted Hollywood stars. Not everybody bought everything that Bowers was selling — but many readers were glad that Teetor took the book seriously.

http://www.laweekly.com/2012-04-05/news/gay-old-times/

[oilgun]

The MPAA is a very unfunny joke.

http://twitchfilm.com/news/2012/04/bully-fights-for-and-wins-its-pg-13-from-mpaa.php

BULLY FIGHTS FOR AND WINS ITS PG-13 FROM MPAA
[...]
Hirsch has agreed to the removal of three "fucks", but keeps the critical scene intact on the bus that was the source of the original ratings controversy. So, for the record, six "fucks" is too many, one is usually allowed, and in this (special) case three are allowed to pass muster.
[...]

[ingmarnicebbmt]

riiiight

[ingmarnicebbmt]

VOLVER is probably Almodovar's most mature movie, perfect I'd say, and TODO SOBRE MI MADRE his most overrated.

[canmark]

Titanic 3D is a success. I've always liked the film, and it was very enjoyable seeing it again on the big screen. The 3D doesn't really add a lot, but it doesn't detract either (as the 3D conversion often does). Watching a 3D conversion can be like watching a movie with sunglasses on I was worried that the film would lose its vibrance and the many nighttime scenes would be lost in darkness. But I think Cameron must have boosted the brightness or something, because the film comes out looking fine--and many of the cast look simply gorgeous (Kate Winslet, Bill Paxton, every wrinkle on Gloria Stewart's face looked beautiful). It was also interesting that there was so much sniffling and sobbing going on in the theatre. Are there that many people who haven't seen the movie? Were they that affected by the sad parts?

[killersmom]

Well, Mark, I know a lot of people who have seen a certain movie way more than once or twice, and still cry at it!

[ingmarnicebbmt]

*scratches head*

Which movie could you possibly mean?

[killersmom]

Can't imagine, Ingy!!

[janjo]

More about the Hollywood memoir FULL SERVICE.

Last week's L.A. Weekly had an interesting article about the book with these
provocative lines:

And this week:  An article comprised of edited reader comments to the L.A. Weekly about
this subject:

Intersting! I think I may look out for a copy.

[gattaca]

Watched "War Horse" this weekend.   

I enjoyed the film but I must say that having seen it performed on the stage in NY, I enjoyed the staged performance much more!  There was something much more driving from the stage.

Spielberg did a good job morphing the stage play into a film, but more than once I was going.. " ....that wasn't in the play."  If you have the opportunity to see the stage play in NY, highly recommended.   I believe it is also in other venues such as LA and San Fran.

War Horse NY -> http://www.newyorkcitytheatre.com/theaters/vivianbeaumonttheater/war-horse.php


War Horse -> http://www.imdb.com/find?q=warhorse&s=all

Vincent

[janjo]

And London......................it really is quite superb.

[canmark]

War Horse (the play) is also playing in Toronto.

http://www.mirvish.com/shows/warhorse

[Lyle (Mooska)]

Mark, I agree with your Titanic review above.  I saw it again yesterday and enjoyed
seeing it up on the big screen again--there's a lot to look at if one has a mind to.  I've
always thought that those who have complained about the love story aspect have often
missed the point.  The TITANIC is the main character in the film and the love story is used to
navigate around it so we learn almost everything about it and then what happened to it.