Movies to Look Forward To

[GateandGarden]

Originally Posted by dissention

Bridget Jones was hilarious. I had heard bad things about it for some reason, but if you liked the first one, you'll love the new one; it's even funnier than the first. Hugh Grant isn't in it much, so that's a good thing, and the situations in it are so ridiculous but so hysterical. Bridget's such a buffoon, the kind of girl I'd like to date.

I saw it and I HATED it with a passion. Ugh. Such a waste of time. I really thought the first one was funny, but this one was so ridiculous, and far too much like the other one, and not in a good way. Could they have not recycled all the same jokes? And why the ridiculous plot with the prison and drugs? That was hard to take. Also, I might have actually believed that chick was a lesbian, had it been in the context of a movie that didn't suck in a big way. I think it was one of the worst movies I've seen in awhile, save for that God-awful TV movie I saw on the Disney channel the other night, Pixel Perfect. You see I'm not holding back.

I'm really looking forward to Phantom, too. I love that musical, and they better not ruin it! That's probably hard to do, though.

I'm also looking forward to Lemony Snicket. I have to admit that I haven't read the books, though. I've just heard all about them and I figure the movie will be entertaining.

Hillary

[Moony]

Originally Posted by GateandGarden

I'm also looking forward to Lemony Snicket. I have to admit that I haven't read the books, though. I've just heard all about them and I figure the movie will be entertaining.

Hillary[/COLOR]

You really should read them - some of the best writing for children I've ever read! They are hilarious.

[dissention]

Originally Posted by GateandGarden

I saw it and I HATED it with a passion. Ugh. Such a waste of time. I really thought the first one was funny, but this one was so ridiculous, and far too much like the other one, and not in a good way. Could they have not recycled all the same jokes? And why the ridiculous plot with the prison and drugs? That was hard to take. Also, I might have actually believed that chick was a lesbian, had it been in the context of a movie that didn't suck in a big way. I think it was one of the worst movies I've seen in awhile, save for that God-awful TV movie I saw on the Disney channel the other night, Pixel Perfect. You see I'm not holding back.

It had to be ridiculous, that character is ridiculous. Have you read the book, though? There's no possible way that they could have made it anything like the book because Colin Firth is a character in it. The Thailand drug bust was ridiculous, the lesbian lawyer was insipid, but I still laughed.

I didn't go into expecting it to be an Oscar worthy flick, I just wanted to laugh. It made me laugh, so I was happy.

[dissention]

Originally Posted by hayley

Diss- you liked BJ2? I'm still ambivalent on it. I loved the first film, and while I laughed my ass off at the sequel, it was just too farcical for me. I had the same problem with the book. I think Ebert said that in the first film, things happen to Bridget, and in the second film, Bridget happens to things- and that distinction does bug me. She wasn't this much of a buffoon in the first film. And, of course, there was no way for them to put in what was hands-down the funniest part of the book- Bridget's "interview" with Colin Firth.

I liked it a lot. It's a feel good movie without being sappy and sugary. I knew going in that they were going to step up the shenanigans much more and that they couldn't possibly make it like the book (which many people hated, much to my surprise), so I just wanted to enjoy it. And I did.

And Kinsey is phenomenal. Neeson and Linney will both be nominated for Oscars.

[Johnny Stew]

Originally Posted by ontheEdgeof17

Absolutely

Yaye!

[Serrart]

It's a good period for movies here: last week I've watched some very good ones:
Maria Full Of Grace: tough, but very intense and well acted
Exils: a travel movie developed in a very soulful way (and the soundtrack is extraordinary)
Immortal Ad Vitam: a science-fiction film with a lot of digital effects, but quite surprising and a very solid storyline.
Un mundo menos peor: a family drama, very real and poetic. The director Alejandro Agresti, is already been kidnapped by Hollywood

Now I'm looking forward to:
Confidences trop intimes - I like the actors (Fabrice Luchini and Sandrine Bonnaire) and the story sounds intriguing
Eros -especially for the episode by Wong Kar Wai
Melinda and Melinda- Woody Allen is a faith
The Agronomist - I have to reconcile with my admiration for Jonathan Demme, quite shaken after The Truth About Charlie and The Manchurian candidate.

Romy

[Johnny Stew]

Originally Posted by dissention

I saw the full-length trailer for Phantom when I saw Bridget Jones yesterday afternoon and I was rather underwhelmed. As soon as I saw Schumacher's name flash on-screen, I knew it would be awful.

I've watched the main trailer and a few alternate ones, and it was the trailers that really kicked my desire to see the film into high gear, despite the fact that I've been a 'Phantom' fan since 1987.

Love him or hate him, Schumacher is a very visual director... and I think that's exactly what 'Phantom' needed. It should be lavish, and glamourous, and exceedingly romantic in its visuals, to match the score.

[Johnny Stew]

Originally Posted by Moony

LOL...awww... I think neuroses are so cute..

At least you have an excuse to avoid going places!

Aw, shucks, Mister.

[Johnny Stew]

Originally Posted by hayley

I'm not a major Phantom nerd or anything, but I have really been looking forward to it. I initially wanted to vomit when I heard Schumacher was doing it, and still do, but I've seen footage of the film (my company has the soundtrack, and a few months ago they played us a few reels) and it actually calmed me down a bit. I've listened to the soundtrack a lot in the last few weeks, and it's not bad. Gerard Butler is excellent. Emmy Rossum isn't too bad, either- she's no Sarah Brightman (who I'm actually not a fan of at all outside of Phantom), and at the climax with all the vocal gyrations and gymnastics she falls short- she's clearly straining- but she's better than I expected.

Hayley... sweetheart... darling... if you have any 'Phantom' freebies you'd like to send my way....
Just kidding.

I pre-ordered the 2-disc version of the soundtrack on amazon.com (my Christmas gift to myself), so I was able to listen to streaming audio of the highlights disc, and when I did, I was a little worried. It wasn't impressing me, and I wasn't too fond of the way the actors chose to interpret some of the lines.

But, I received the set last Wednesday, and once I sat down to listen to it in context, I was VERY impressed.

I think some of my initial misgivings mainly had to do with being so extremely familiar with the original London cast recording. Not to mention Sarah Brightman's flawless portrayal of Christine. I'm also quite a fan of Steve Barton (Raoul), but have never been completely enamoured by Michael Crawford (though I don't hate him).
So something "different" was going to have a lot to live up to.

But I'm thoroughly pleased, and have no major complaints.

Now I just can't wait to see the film!

[Johnny Stew]

Originally Posted by trackaghost

My friend just saw it and was very underwhelmed. He's not a big musical fan though, so maybe he's not the best judge!

I love musicals.

Sometimes I'm such a stereotype.

[dissention]

Originally Posted by Johnny Stew

I've watched the main trailer and a few alternate ones, and it was the trailers that really kicked my desire to see the film into high gear, despite the fact that I've been a 'Phantom' fan since 1987.

Love him or hate him, Schumacher is a very visual director... and I think that's exactly what 'Phantom' needed. It should be lavish, and glamourous, and exceedingly romantic in its visuals, to match the score.

I hate him. He's a hack.

From what I saw in the trailer, it really wasn't anything spectacular visually. The swirling cameras seemed to have done all the work. Minnie Driver looks fab, though.

I read that Andrew Lloyd Weber isn't too happy with it, either.

[dissention]

Originally Posted by trackaghost

8. War Of The Worlds

You'll be waiting a long time for that one.

To be honest, I'm content with the version from the fifties. I *shudder* to think of what Spielberg will do to it. And Tom Cruise? Oy vey. But, who knows, maybe I'll be surprised.

[estranged4life]

a rumor or is in fact factual (That it will see light of day as Kevin Smith has recently stated) I plan to see just one movie in the near future:

Clerks 2

Brian j.

[amber]

Originally Posted by dissention

I hate him. He's a hack.

From what I saw in the trailer, it really wasn't anything spectacular visually. The swirling cameras seemed to have done all the work. Minnie Driver looks fab, though.

I read that Andrew Lloyd Weber isn't too happy with it, either.

Minnie Driver! oh, no...Wait, actually, there is no way in hell i would ever see that movie anyway. whew!

[dissention]

I'm looking forward to Savage Grace with Juilanne Moore and Clive Owen, too. That should be a good one.