The World Beyond BetterMost > The Culture Tent
Resurrecting the Movies thread...
Meryl:
--- Quote from: opinionista on February 17, 2007, 12:24:17 pm ---I thought the plot twist were plot devices. I didn't see them as an important part of the movie. I think it was more about the relationship. That's why it is called Volver. It means coming back.
--- End quote ---
Yes, they were devices. But once you accept them as such, they work well to help the story achieve that "coming back" theme. "Volver" applies in many ways to the story and characters, don't you think?
ednbarby:
I just got done watching "sherrybaby." Wow. What a great character study. And Maggie is so wonderful.
I've known two heroin addicts in my time. Both ended up meeting early ends. I totally believed her struggle to stay clean. That anyone can come back from that particular addiction and lead any semblance of a normal life is extraordinary, and yet she makes you believe it's possible. Junkies are a breed apart from your run-of-the mill addicts, and I've known and know all kinds.
The movie is difficult to watch, as they say, at times because Sherry is so self-destructive. You know she's better than what she cracks herself up to be, so it's that much more painful to see her fail, and fail so spectacularly. What is the line in the song... Every junkie's like a setting sun.
It's ultimately a very interesting story about family relationships, too. The good, the bad, and the ugly. And it's one that stays with you. I find myself still rooting for her (and worrying for her) from the point at which the story left off on as if she is a real person. Kinda like some other fictional (?) character I could name.
Meryl:
I saw "Amazing Grace" this weekend and really enjoyed it. I mainly went for the period flavor and the plethora of terrific English actors I saw in the previews. It's the story of William Wilberforce's battle to make the slave trade illegal in Britain in the early 1800's. I am a big fan of the Patrick O'Brian novels set in the same period, the ones that "Master and Commander" is based on, so I wanted to drink in that atmosphere.
The settings and costumes are first rate, from lovely English estates to the dirty, congested docks in London to the halls of Parliament. Ioan Gruffudd was very good as Wilberforce, and it was especially nice to see Albert Finney and Michael Gambon in lesser roles. The camera loved every wrinkle in their glorious old faces. Rufus Sewell and Ciaran Hinds also had good parts.
Although they tried hard to approach each scene interestingly, the screenwriters focussed unrelentingly on Wilberforce's mission, so the film was centered on politics and religion. Still, there are lots of human touches, and the ending is quite emotional, if a little corny. I recommend it, and probably you should see it soon, since it won't be around too long.
saucycobblers:
'amazing Grace' is next on my must-see list, so thanks for the info Meryl!
I saw 'Notes on a Scandal' a couple of days ago and highly recommend it. Judi Dench is fantastic - a very, very complex performance and most deserving of the Oscar nom. And anyone who's ever taught kids for a living will be chuckling and nodding in agreement at the first 10-15 minutes! :)
serious crayons:
--- Quote from: Meryl on March 06, 2007, 09:28:02 pm ---I saw "Amazing Grace" this weekend and really enjoyed it.
--- End quote ---
Good to know, Meryl! I was going to probably skip it, but with your endorsement I will try to get to it.
I saw Breach this weekend. It was quite good. I always love Chris Cooper (especially in Adaptation!). Ryan Phillipe was pretty good, too, though having just seen Half Nelson a couple of days earlier, I couldn't help wishing that if they were going to cast a Ryan they'd have picked Ryan Gosling instead.
Half Nelson was great -- right up until the time I fell asleep (I started the DVD way too late). But Ryan Gosling was fantastic and so was Shareeka Epps. I also finally saw Proof, which I'm sure most of you have already seen. I liked it pretty well. I was a little uncertain about Gwyneth in the lead role -- I'd seen it on stage with the wonderful Mary Louise Parker, and couldn't imagine anyone else in the part -- but I thought she was fine. And Jake, it goes without saying, was excellent.
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