|
9004. judithathome - 2/22/2014 1:06:57 AM Keoni would try to talk you out of Django...he almost walked out on it. 9005. arkymalarky - 2/22/2014 1:45:19 AM I bought it for SIL for his birthday but I don't know when I'd get around to seeing it. Content doesn't offend me. I'm just squeamish. 9006. iiibbb - 2/24/2014 5:16:20 PM Arky--
You and me are interestingly alike.
I can handle violence, but the more believable/visceral the less tolerant I am of it. I saw Saving Private Ryan. It is a great film. I can't watch it again.
I have watched a lot of war movies. I am drawn to them because I am so drawn to what makes soldiers stand their ground in war_ particularly in the face of terrible odds.
I have watched a lot of gangster movies.... probably the Godfathers' fault.
I'll still watch a lot of these films, but my tolerance of realistic violence is a one-off in most cases.
I have the most trouble watching things that have situations I can picture myself in.
Anywho....
I popped in here to post this article about Alex Baldwin
This is a very interesting article that is indirectly about how the ambitions of others are really screwing with this country. 9007. judithathome - 2/24/2014 9:50:40 PM Thanks for that...I saw his complete body of work for MSNBC and loved every minute of it...he's a gifted interviewer. 9008. arkymalarky - 2/25/2014 12:10:30 AM I thought that too 3i, on issues like gun control. And politics for the most part.
interesting Baldwin article. I think he's got some blind spots about his own shortcomings, but I think he's exactly right in his assessment of what's going on Media right now. I feel similar ways about MSNBC but it's the only game in town. I'd love to know who the former employee was that told him what was going to happen. Keith Olbermann maybe? 9009. judithathome - 2/25/2014 1:09:11 AM To be sure it was Keith...he would know, having been though it himself.
Thus far, I haven't seen the same sorts of smear tactics launched toward Martin Bashir but I was expecting them. Not surprising since his only "business" was appearing on MSNBC...had he had a higher profile, I have no doubt he'd have been all over the slime patrol shows.
And of course Baldwin has blind spots when it comes to himself but don't we all? 9010. arkymalarky - 2/25/2014 1:17:40 AM Bashir first gained real notice in the US that I know of when he interviewed Michael Jackson and some of the things Michael Jackson said were explosive. I think he was originally a tabloid journalist. 9011. arkymalarky - 2/25/2014 1:20:22 AM Nvm. Hectic as a legit journalist. 9012. arkymalarky - 2/25/2014 1:20:34 AM He was a..... 9013. arkymalarky - 2/25/2014 1:20:43 AM Is..... 9014. iiibbb - 2/25/2014 4:20:46 PM Now read the article again with Donald Trumps voice. 9015. Jenerator - 2/27/2014 12:06:48 AM With movies, there has to be some sort of resolution. If I watch hours of people suffering, I want for: (1) the bad guys to get it; and (2) some sort of victory or benefit for the sufferer(s).
I know 12 Years A Slave was based on a true story, but that doesn't make it more enjoyable. The poor man suffered and suffered and suffered. I wanted ANY of the villains to get what was coming to them. But they didn't.
Contrast that with Django Unchained, a much more violent film in terms of gore. At least Django was able to pay back his captors and right a wrong. And who can resist Christoph Waltz?
I loved him in Inglorious Basterds which was a similar movie, and one I enjoyed infinitely more than 12 Years.
Now, Schindler's List was arguably the most powerful movie I have ever seen. I cried through most of it and was in a daze for days after. Even in that horrible story, there was a light at the end of the tunnel.
Anyway, 12 Years is probably the most realistic portrayal of slavery I have every seen, and the actors were superb, but it was horribly depressing and the story offered only two minutes of relief. 9016. judithathome - 2/27/2014 12:28:29 AM If you like Christoph Waltz, you need to see him in Carnage...you'd like it because it involves parents of school children....possibly some like you run across while teaching. 9017. arkymalarky - 2/27/2014 2:12:42 AM I agree Jen. I can appreciate the story and its value in being told in film. I can read the story and read about the movie. But reading and watching are two different things. I'm moved and disturbed at what I read, but watching realistic violence or emotion is too intense for me. I was bothered by Revolutionary Road because the characters' tragic relationship was too believable. Had they ceased to love each other or had they resolved their suffering in some way.... But both stayed tormented by themselves andceach other to the bitter end. 9018. judithathome - 2/27/2014 2:43:44 AM I agree about RR...very tough movie. 9019. alistairconnor - 2/27/2014 8:00:40 PM I hated Django. Really hated. The fantasy "resolution" is part of that, it just looks like a cheap alibi to me. To be clear, I think it's the first Tarantino film I've watched to the end (I found I enjoy his cleverness, much as I enjoy clever ads, but that's not what I want in cinema). I'm not impressed by his aesthetics, and the graphic violence just bores me. It doesn't excite me (as it no doubt excites many, why else would he do it?) and it doesn't horrify me; it disgusts me.
It was all cardboard cut-out characters. Christoph Waltz was adorable, but I was disturbed that we were directed to adore this guy who murders people for a living. And his suicidal act at the end was completely out of character. Django himself had no personality at all.
I think I will have a look at the McQueen movie. The reasons people have for disliking it make me hopeful about it. 9020. judithathome - 2/27/2014 8:37:56 PM Alistair, I think you'd like Carnage...I'm pretty sure the "types" in it are in France, too. ;-) 9021. judithathome - 2/27/2014 8:59:03 PM Listening to a panel discussion on NPR radio about the Oscars...one guy said it turned him off to get the "for your consideration" letter with the movie 12 Years A Slave that had what looked like a hand written phrase at the end saying "It's time...."
Trying to guilt-trip a vote out of people...like a vote for this movie could make up for the past sins of a nation.
9022. Jenerator - 2/27/2014 11:37:01 PM Judith,
I will definitely check out Carnage. You are the second person to recommend it. Thanks. :)
Alistair,
I think you'll enjoy 12 Years A Slave. It IS a more civilized, nuanced story and the acting and directing (as well as costuming and set decoration, etc.) are top-notch. I suspect you will leave feeling depressed, but the movie resonates. 9023. judithathome - 4/25/2014 7:40:23 PM Here's a chilling look at what could easily be a huge problem in the not too distant future...Young People Don't Know How To Have A Conversation
Recently I stood in front of my class, observing an all-too-familiar scene. Most of my students were covertly—or so they thought—pecking away at their smartphones under their desks, checking their Facebook feeds and texts.
As I called their attention, students’ heads slowly lifted, their eyes reluctantly glancing forward. I then cheerfully explained that their next project would practice a skill they all desperately needed: holding a conversation.
Several students looked perplexed. Others fidgeted in their seats, waiting for me to stop watching the class so they could return to their phones. Finally, one student raised his hand. “How is this going to work?” he asked.
|
