Last movie you saw

[Mud Cake]

I've heard it on good report that The Golden Compass has an abysmal screenplay. I guess that won't matter to dummies who just like watching special effects, but to all others - you have been warned.

Speak for yourself....... (obligatory smiley in case you are sensitive and need a pat)



Some of us go the movies to be entertained.
Some of us go to see a good story (and for me its an important reason to go)
Some of us go even if the movie isn't that good because we like the actors
who are in it.

 

[Goldenberry]

I've heard that "Into the Wild" is very good, some friends of mine saw it on Wednesday night. And Sean Penn's great. He is disliked by quite a few American males, which only improves him in my estimation.

Also I wanted to see "1408" but the comments above don't augur that well - I was looking for a "The Shining" type storyline (still one of the best book to movie horror adaptations of all time).

"1408" is also based on a Stephen King story as well - has to be one of my favourite authors.

 

[Ravenau1]

Well we went and saw Beowulf last night. I'm a big fan of traditional rotoscoping and while I'm not entirely sure about this new technique it certainly has the potential to be something really good.

I did enjoy it and will look forward to what he does next.

Also I wanted to see "1408" but the comments above don't augur that well - I was looking for a "The Shining" type storyline (still one of the best book to movie horror adaptations of all time).

"1408" is also based on a Stephen King story as well - has to be one of my favourite authors

Have you read 1408, GB? It's not bad, but it's certainly no 'The Shining'. I haven't seen the film yet though.

'The mist' will be out soon and that's one of my fave King stories, so that should be interesting.

 

[Bkeela]

The only thing that would make 1408 tolerable would be a big tub of popcorn, maybe an mp3 player, and a seat near the exit for a discrete get away. Stick with the short story if you are wise.

It was news to me that a film adaption of The Mist would soon be released. My first reaction was to assume it would be crap, but it is being made by the director behind the excellent Shawshank Redemption. It might actually be good...

I wonder why the work of H. P. Lovecraft has been ignored by Hollywood? After hating the experience of seeing The Lord of the Rings brought to the screen, it maybe isn't such a bad thing to see yet another favourite author desecrated by Hollywood. Yet the Cthulhu Mythos is such a rich vein for the horror film genre.

 

[Ravenau1]

The only thing that would make 1408 tolerable would be a big tub of popcorn, maybe an mp3 player, and a seat near the exit for a discrete get away. Stick with the short story if you are wise.

It was news to me that a film adaption of The Mist would soon be released. My first reaction was to assume it would be crap, but it is being made by the director behind the excellent Shawshank Redemption. It might actually be good...

There is an article on it in the latest 'Empire' magazine and it sounds like it really could be decent.

I wonder why the work of H. P. Lovecraft has been ignored by Hollywood? After hating the experience of seeing The Lord of the Rings brought to the screen, it maybe isn't such a bad thing to see yet another favourite author desecrated by Hollywood. Yet the Cthulhu Mythos is such a rich vein for the horror film genre.

Bkeela, there have been a few, but none of them have been particularly good. There was one made just this year, and Tori Spelling was in it (if that gives you any idea of the quality).

There is such a wealth of wonderful authors and works in the Mythos, and some of them just beg for a film to be made. But on the other hand, I'm not sure I want to see another film makers idea of Cthulhu, or the Elder Beings or Deep Ones... so perhaps it's better left alone.

 

[Mud Cake]

While on the subject of horror films

The infamous "Deep Rising" which had a many, tentacled beastie
from the depths of the ocean attack an ocean liner... And drink
all the passengers dry of their blood and stuff.

Not really a bad film, but not that good either but as a popcorn film it's fun.

 

[Goldenberry]

After hating the experience of seeing The Lord of the Rings brought to the screen, it maybe isn't such a bad thing to see yet another favourite author desecrated by Hollywood.

This is sacrilege, Bkeela.

Much as I'm cynical about Hollywood, and I love the Tolkien books, Peter Jackson is not Hollywood. He's 100% Pukekura Bay and always will be.

 

[Goldenberry]

Well we went and saw Beowulf last night. I'm a big fan of traditional rotoscoping and while I'm not entirely sure about this new technique it certainly has the potential to be something really good.

Have you read 1408, GB? It's not bad, but it's certainly no 'The Shining'. I haven't seen the film yet though.

"The Shining" is a good flick to watch in bed with the lights down low (lol).

"Beowulf" was good popcorn fare for the visuals, and a bit of suspense at the start - it has to be seen in 3D Imax I feel though.

No I haven't read much Stephen King for a while, lately it's been more Dean Koontz who has also improved. Haven't read 1408 - the last Stephen King I read was, I think, "The Girl who loved Tom Gordon" - about the girl lost in the woods listening to the baseball.

 

[Ravenau1]

While on the subject of horror films

The infamous "Deep Rising" which had a many, tentacled beastie
from the depths of the ocean attack an ocean liner... And drink
all the passengers dry of their blood and stuff.

Not really a bad film, but not that good either but as a popcorn film it's fun.

Wow, someone else that liked Deep Rising, I thought I was the only person lol

I'm also the only person that I know who liked Event Horizon.

"The Shining" is a good flick to watch in bed with the lights down low (lol).

"Beowulf" was good popcorn fare for the visuals, and a bit of suspense at the start - it has to be seen in 3D Imax I feel though.

No I haven't read much Stephen King for a while, lately it's been more Dean Koontz who has also improved. Haven't read 1408 - the last Stephen King I read was, I think, "The Girl who loved Tom Gordon" - about the girl lost in the woods listening to the baseball.

I love Dean Koontz, and I think some of his books would make great films (we'll just conveniently forget about the appalling 'Phantoms' lol), The Odd Thomas books would be good, but even his non 'monster' books like False Memory or Intensity would make pretty good thillers on the big screen.

I'm on 4 weeks holiday after this week, so hopefully we will get to a few more movies. Looking forward to seeing 'I Am Legend' when it comes out in January.

 

[inthezone05]

Cinemas: The Heartbreak Kid - very funny
DVD: She's The Man

 

[Mud Cake]

Wow, someone else that liked Deep Rising, I thought I was the only person lol

I'm also the only person that I know who liked Event Horizon.

No you're not the only one. Every few months I get Deep Rising
out and watch it with a bowl of Doritos and Salsa dip... Fun

As for Event Horizon I have only watched that a couple of times
and every time I see the DVD think "I'll buy it" but somehow get
distracted and don't

I love Dean Koontz, and I think some of his books would make great films (we'll just conveniently forget about the appalling 'Phantoms' lol), The Odd Thomas books would be good, but even his non 'monster' books like False Memory or Intensity would make pretty good thillers on the big screen.

I'm on 4 weeks holiday after this week, so hopefully we will get to a few more movies. Looking forward to seeing 'I Am Legend' when it comes out in January.

Well you'll hate me because I love Phantoms despite that it is not
a widescreen movie.

Dean Koontz is the author of Demon Seed which became a film with
Julie Christie about a computer that becomes sentient and aware and
keeps her prisoner to bear its child. The film is excellent, however his
book fails miserably because he's gone and become commercial.

I purchased the book of the same name and it's not the original story
at all. In fact he's gon all fanwanky and made it set in the present day
and filled it with pop culture references. I'm now scouring the net trying
to find the ORIGINAL version of the novel.

 

[Ravenau1]

No you're not the only one. Every few months I get Deep Rising
out and watch it with a bowl of Doritos and Salsa dip... Fun

As for Event Horizon I have only watched that a couple of times
and every time I see the DVD think "I'll buy it" but somehow get
distracted and don't

Event Horizon has always felt a bit like Clive Barker to me, which is probably why I like it, as he's one of my favourite Authors and filmmakers.

Well you'll hate me because I love Phantoms despite that it is not
a widescreen movie.

I think for me the movie was missing the wonderful air of menace that the book had. The lovely subtle things like the telephone, and the voices from the plumbing. That was what I liked best about the book, all the things leading up to when you found out about the critter.

Dean Koontz is the author of Demon Seed which became a film with
Julie Christie about a computer that becomes sentient and aware and
keeps her prisoner to bear its child. The film is excellent, however his
book fails miserably because he's gone and become commercial.

I purchased the book of the same name and it's not the original story
at all. In fact he's gone all fanwanky and made it set in the present day
and filled it with pop culture references. I'm now scouring the net trying
to find the ORIGINAL version of the novel.

Interesting, CLE, I wasn't aware that there was another version of the book. I've just checked my copy and it was printed in 1973, when was the new version published? I did pick mine up in a second hand book shop in the US a few years ago, so perhaps look to somewhere there to find another one?

Now I'm going to have to find the new version for my collection lol. I have a couple of rarer Koontz books, like 'Oddkins' which is a kids book (believe it or not) and some novels that have been published under different titles in different countries.

I haven't seen the movie of Demon Seed though, will have to check it out.

 

[lollies]

1408 wasn't bad actually.

and beowolf was great!

 

[Mud Cake]

Event Horizon has always felt a bit like Clive Barker to me, which is probably why I like it, as he's one of my favourite Authors and filmmakers


I think for me the movie was missing the wonderful air of menace that the book had. The lovely subtle things like the telephone, and the voices from the plumbing. That was what I liked best about the book, all the things leading up to when you found out about the critter.

Well I do think the film had the voices on the phone and in the pipes
but it didn't feel that spooky.

Interesting, CLE, I wasn't aware that there was another version of the book. I've just checked my copy and it was printed in 1973, when was the new version published? I did pick mine up in a second hand book shop in the US a few years ago, so perhaps look to somewhere there to find another one?

Now I'm going to have to find the new version for my collection lol. I have a couple of rarer Koontz books, like 'Oddkins' which is a kids book (believe it or not) and some novels that have been published under different titles in different countries.

I haven't seen the movie of Demon Seed though, will have to check it out.

My copy of Demon Seed was printed in 1997 but purchased only mid
last year. I got so frustrated with it I chucked it out.

There's lots of mentions of Mira Sorvino, and others in the book as
the computer lusts over various women comparing them to Julie
Christie's character.

The film isn't gory as such aside from one scene where a character
is killed but the final 30 minutes might make you squeamish and
want a cushion to cuddle..

 

[Ravenau1]

Well I do think the film had the voices on the phone and in the pipes
but it didn't feel that spooky.

In the book it was very spooky, but I think things like that don't translate well to film, that's the sort of 'missing' I was meaning.

My copy of Demon Seed was printed in 1997 but purchased only mid last
year. I got so frustrated with it I chucked it out.

There's lots of mentions of Mira Sorvino, and others in the book as the
computer lusts over various women comparing them to Julie Christie's
character.

The film isn't gory as such aside from one scene where a character
is killed but the final 30 minutes might make you squeamish

Not much makes me squeamish CLE .

My copy was published by 'Bantam' in New York if that helps any with your search.

 

[Mud Cake]

Not much makes me squeamish CLE .

My copy was published by 'Bantam' in New York if that helps any
with your search.

Yep that helps.

 

[Bkeela]

This is sacrilege, Bkeela.

Much as I'm cynical about Hollywood, and I love the Tolkien books, Peter Jackson is not Hollywood. He's 100% Pukekura Bay and always will be.

I've forgiven Peter Jackson because of King Kong, which I thought was unbelievably good, but The Lord of the Rings trilogy just pisses me off. I would have to re-watch them to form a better opinion, but I just don't think the story lends well to movie treatment. Three films for such an epic story is far too rushed. Nine films would probably be needed.

No I haven't read much Stephen King for a while, lately it's been more Dean Koontz who has also improved. Haven't read 1408 - the last Stephen King I read was, I think, "The Girl who loved Tom Gordon" - about the girl lost in the woods listening to the baseball.

1408 is a short story from Everything's Eventual. I remember reading the story while browsing in a bookstore.

I'm also the only person that I know who liked Event Horizon.

It was a pretty bad film. Just barely passable in a B-Grade horror kind of way. It is certainly no Alien/Aliens. Probably on par with Aliens 3.

The Shining on the other hand is B-Grade fodder elevated to art, thanks to the masterful direction of Stanley Kubrick. I wish he could have lived long enough to make another film or two.

 

[Mud Cake]

The Shining on the other hand is B-Grade fodder elevated to art, thanks to the masterful direction of Stanley Kubrick. I wish he could have lived long enough to make another film or two.

Wasn't he involved in part with A.I.

Now that was a surprisingly bad film.... I even gave the 2 disk set away
after watching it. That was one film but it contained at least 2 endings
the way it was done..

 

[Ravenau1]

It was a pretty bad film. Just barely passable in a B-Grade horror kind of way. It is certainly no Alien/Aliens. Probably on par with Aliens 3.

The Shining on the other hand is B-Grade fodder elevated to art, thanks to the masterful direction of Stanley Kubrick. I wish he could have lived long enough to make another film or two.

Definately no Alien/Aliens lol But I should perhaps 'fess up' and admit that I'm a huge fan of C and B grade Horror movies. For me Event Horizon had a couple of moments that made it work for me, enough to ignore all that was admittedly wrong with it.

 

[Goldenberry]

I've forgiven Peter Jackson because of King Kong, which I thought was unbelievably good, but The Lord of the Rings trilogy just pisses me off. I would have to re-watch them to form a better opinion, but I just don't think the story lends well to movie treatment. Three films for such an epic story is far too rushed. Nine films would probably be needed.

Are you one of those Tolkien junkies who wanted every detail in the books inlcuded in the movie, down to renditions of Elvish songs echoing through the valleys of Rivendell?

Yes I agree that Tom Bombadil should have been in Fellowship, but really, it wasn't going to happen. He's too off beat for Hollywood treatment anyway.

I think PJ gave it a fairly decent crack, considering what a difficult project it was. The only real mistake came in the 2nd movie, "The Two Towers", in tht he should have included more of Mordor in the last half of that movie and less of Rohan, and not left himself so much to cover in the final movie.

But that's just one fan's opinion.

heh, when "Fellowship" was released I saw it 3 times in the first 24 hours, ulp.