misswonderly3
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Posts posted by misswonderly3
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I just watched (for the second time) what I consider to be the best baseball movie ever made.
'Moneyball' (2011). This is a true-life docu-drama about Manager Billy Beane's refusal to go along with traditional baseball operations after his 2002 Oakland A's are gutted of their star players. They can't afford them once they've become famous.
All of his scouts and managers insist that everything has to be done as it always has been done - they know best - but Beane recognized that small market teams have to change their thinking or they'll never be able to compete with wealthy teams.
Special mention must go to Philip Seymour Hoffman for an absolutely perfect performance as Art Howe. He is Art Howe. Amazing.
Brad Pitt does some questionable movies - but he believed strongly in this one (produced it, in fact) and it shows. He carries the movie - he's really excellent as Billy Beane.
Other notables are Jonah Hill who plays the whiz kid who helps Beane see how he can maintain excellence on the field for far less cost; and Chris Pratt as ex-catcher Scott Hatteburg - a throwaway player who is rescued by Beane and who will play an ironic and satisfying role for the A's.
On the classic rating scale, this gets 4 stars. Even people who know nothing about baseball will be transfixed by it. That it's true makes the drama that much more magnetic.
Yes, Moneyball is a baseball movie that appeals even to people who don't follow the sport. Everyone in it was note-perfect, as you say.
God, every time I see Philip Seymour Hoffman in something I get sad all over again. What a loss.
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Rest in peace, John Berry.
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Pertaining to a conversation on the "I Just Watched" thread, here are the Soggy Bottom Boys with "Man of Constant Sorrow":
That one's fun, straight from the movie...but here's another version (there are 3 altogether on the soundtrack album ! ) where the "acoustics" are a little clearer:
They don't sound very sorrowful !
... of course everyone knows this is an old "traditional", performed by many "roots" musicians, including Bob Dylan.
But the "O Brother Where Art Thou?" version is the most fun.
Love the banjo -picking !
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My favorite of Clooney's movies (that I've seen so far) is "O Brother Where Art Thou?" It's from 2000. I remember seeing the movie in the theater in high school. It takes place during The Great Depression. The title is an homage to "Sullivan's Travels" as "O Brother Where Art Thou?" is the name of a fictional book about The Great Depression that Joel McCrea's character wants to film. The plot is also a modern re-telling of "The Odyssey."
My favorite part about this film is the music. It's bluegrass and folk music.
Hey, speedy ! O Brother, Where Art Thou ? is my favourite George Clooney movie too. Also one of my very favourite Coen Brothers movies, which is really saying something because I love almost everything by those guys ( almost...)
What I noticed at the time the film came out was, I could not find any reference to the film's title, the fact that it was clearly an allusion to the Preston Sturges comedy you mention, in which, yeah, the main character is a film director and wants to make a "serious" movie called "O Brother Where Art Thou?" a really funny title, by the way, I always thought. So, yes, sorry, I'm just repeating what you already said.
But wouldn't you think a professional movie critic would know about that? I don't believe they did, though, at least not the ones I read. Because shirley they would have mentioned it if they were aware of it. Kind of made me feel I could be just as good as them, if not better. At least I'd seen Sullivan's Travels, and "got" the reference.
O Brother Where Art Thou ? has everything: handsome likable George Clooney, at his most handsome and likable, wonderful quirky character actors (his two sidekicks John Turturro and Tim Blake Nelson for starters), a beautifully recreated Depression setting, a fun picaresque story (yup, as you say, roughly based on Homer's "The Odyssey" - very roughly), and best of all, absolutely fantastic music.
I too love the soundtrack to this hugely entertaining movie. In fact, I own the CD, love every track on it (well, maybe except for the opening one, "Po Lazarus" ), and still play it. My favourites are "Fly Away", such a sweet and melodic song, and the third version of "Man of Constant Sorrow" the one the boys play at that hall dance or whatever it is. They really rock !
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I cannot believe there's a thread devoted to Robert Ryan and I have not as yet posted on it. Every day I see this thread and keep meaning to say something on it, but then forget to get around to it.
And now we're half-way through May and his Star of the Month time is running out (well, two more weeks...)
And by now there's probably nothing I can say about him here that hasn't already been said. Serves me right for taking so long to get around to posting on this thread.
Oh well, anyway: I really love Robert Ryan, he's one of my top ten favourite classic movie actors. He's such a good actor, he conveys so much just in his face, in his eyes. As I'm sure just about everyone else here has already said (full disclosure: I've not read the whole thread yet), even when he's playing a really horrible person (and we all know how good he was at that), there's something in his eyes that elicits your sympathy. For instance, the loathsome character he plays in Crossfire is both contemptible and sad. Those Robert Ryan eyes somehow make us feel sorry for him - as well as detesting him, of course ! It's as though Ryan knows how messed-up a person like that is, and finds the lonely insecure mentally ill sadness in him as well as the monster.
A list of a few other Robert Ryan films I think are great ( but guess what, I won't be providing an "explanation" of why I've picked these ! - - for the simple reason that I don't have the time right now, maybe I'll come back and edit in " a few words" for each pick)
Act of Violence , The Naked Spur, and The Racket (this last, I love the way he keeps calling Lizabeth Scott, "dime a dozen".)
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Here's Groucho in his pyjamas (couldn't find a pic with actual underwear, but I bet there is one !)
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Yes, SansFin is one of the best writers on this board. I was going to tell her what a lovely descriptive piece that was, but then we all know what happened.
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Just to put in my two cents' worth ( and two cents is actually worth less than nothing now, at least in Canada), I have never actually seen a complete installment of Mystery Science Theatre 3000. I do like campy, bad (as in fun bad) old movies, but my initial reaction to the MST idea is that the films are funny enough without someone drawing attention to how funny-bad they are.
However, I always think it's a good idea to withhold judgment one way or the other until one is at least a bit familiar with the subject under discussion. Maybe I should go to youtube right now and check MST 3000 out.
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Several weeks ago I recorded "M" (1951) , which is a rather good remake of the classic 1931 German film that starred Peter Lorre as the mentally disturbed little man who preys on young children. David Wayne gets to play the thankless role in the new film and does a very effective job here, Wayne was a very good actor (he was Pulver in the MISTER ROBERTS stage play with Henry Fonda). Wayne's hysterical pleading to the mob at the end was very intense. A lot of well known character actors appear in this film (did anyone see William Schallert make a brief appearance?). Watching this film (my first time) made me think of the classic HE WALKED BY NIGHT with Richard Basehart as the deranged killer on the loose and being hunted down.
Thanks for the write-up, Mr. Roberts. I've never seen the re-make of "M", and come to think of it, it's been a while since I saw the original.
I have seen He Walked By Night more recently and in fact own the DVD. There are similarities between this film and M, mainly in, as you say, the pursuit and hunting down scenes.
However, I'd much rather be alone in a dark alley with the criminal from He Walked By Night than with the killer from M. I always felt the former was just a very clever burglar who wouldn't kill unless he felt he had to, whereas, with the latter, it's all about killing. (which is not to say that we don't feel vaguely sorry for him, as Peter Lorre and Fritz Lang intended.)
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I love anthology movies. I wish I could watch all the ones they're featuring tonight, but I'll probably just get to "Quartet". I've seen it before, but anything based on stories by W. Somerset Maugham is worth repeat viewings.
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Here be Georgie Porgie Brent in his bathing trunks - the closest to underwear I could find:
"Notice there's no extra material for the backside. In
other words, my posterior is no bigger than anyone
else's. This is all a vicious rumour..."
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Ooooooooh. Ok.
I was trying to think of a polite way to ask if you had been drinking or just what the hell?
Lorna baby, sorry, I got my threads mixed up. It was meant for the "List" thread.
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3) My real opinion of this whole topic I kept to myself yesterday (for the most part), but maybe I should articulate it now. I tried to explain that we DO discuss personal feelings about movies and songs in every one of those threads. Not every single item on every single list, but enough that it's not just a string of "dry" lists. But I guess that didn't fit in with the thesis of this thread so my comment was ignored. Just like fxreyman said, if you don't like the subject or the style of a particular thread, go somewhere else. There are plenty of threads on a myraid of subjects; I'm sure you can find something more to your liking. Or, and this is my other point; start one yourself. If you see a list thread, and people aren't talking as much as you would like, how about YOU start a conversation in the thread and see where it takes you. That would be much more constructive and less passively, or actively, antagonistic than starting a thread just to say you don't like what other people do in other threads. Try leading by example. Instead of complaining how dirty the room is, grab a broom and get to work. There are plenty of threads and topics that I could care less about. But I would never think to start a thread just to complain about them. I just find something better to do.
People are (reasonably) free to post whatever they want here. I'm not saying you shouldn't post about what you don't like in other's posts or threads. My question would be why would you want to? (unless it's the Off-Topics, in which case, that's the whole point!)
Lawrence, I do hope you know that this thread was in no way directed to or about you. There are, have been, and will be many many "list" threads here on these forums started by other posters. As many here have said, lots of people enjoy making lists and sharing them with others.
The following, by the way, is not directed specifically at you, but at anyone here who has misunderstood what I thought was a pretty simple and straightforward statement:
I AM NOT TRYING TO CONTROL WHAT OTHERS DO HERE, OR MAKE "RULES" ABOUT HOW TO POST, OR TELLING OTHER POSTERS WHAT TO DO. NOT ABOUT LISTS OR ANYTHING ELSE.
Oh, the hell with the block caps. They're so frigging dramatic, they make me look hysterical. I was just trying to get my point across, a point which seems to be amazingly controversial and misunderstood.
I know...I'll make a list:
1) I am not against "list" threads. This thread is NOT a campaign to abolish them.
2) In fact, I kind of like lists. I simply think it would make a person's list more enjoyable to read, more interesting, more fun, more engaging, if they wrote a few words along with their list choice as to why they think it deserves to be on their list.
3) Obviously I'm not dictating to others to do this; if I have that much power, it's news to me.
4) I'm not suggesting people write an essay - in fact, that would detract from the whole idea of "lists", which is their brevity. And I get that some people might be a little intimidated at the idea of writing a paragraph or so about a film or actor or song they just happen to like a lot.
5) A few words that tells us a little about why the poster feels their selection is "list-worthy" is all I was asking for. This thread reminds me of bad plumbing - you know, when the tap water is either scalding hot or freezing cold, you can't get it to a nice moderate warm...
The equivalent of a moderate warm tap here would be the item on the list, plus maybe a sentence (but more if you feel like it !) about how you feel about your choice, and why you think it deserves a place on the list.
No big long treatise required, no "information" or academic "knowledge" (unless you want to add it) necessary.
The whole damn thing should be fun and entertaining to read, that's all I was suggesting.
6) Example:A Favourite Robert Ryan movie:
"The Wild Bunch" - because Ryan so completely conveys the pain and conflict he feels at having to pursue and capture his former best friend and partner. And because all the actors in this post-studio era Western play their parts so well- a true team effort.
That's all. No big sophisticated article, just a few words that give an idea as to why I like the movie.
No beeg deel.
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EEEK! Wrong thread ! How did that happen ? !
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"Alas...why am I feeling so listless today?"
"Maybe out of guilt. After all, YOU STOLE MY RHAPSODY ! "
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Can you list your favorite stuff by Liszt?
I think you'd be better off directing this question to Princess of Tap.
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.....To me, the only "great" piece of music is Beethoven's 9th symphony. Many others are "excellent", or "very good".
It is a little-known fact that Beethoven stole that particular piece of music from Liszt, who stole it from Queen.
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FRANZ LISZT
LISZT is one of my favorite composers. It's not often that I get to see a composer on this website whose music I actually listen to on the radio all day long. Thank you whoever put this on here.
I would list my favorite compositions by Liszt, but I don't speak German and I can't spell them correctly, so I'll just name my favorite one anyway--Hungarian Rhapsody number 2.
Wait - I thought that was Queen. All this time,and now I find out....No, dammit, it's GOT to be Queen. In fact, going by your info here, I think Queen should sue Franz Liszt (who's he, anyway? Sounds like he named himself after a country...) for copyright violation.
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.....LISTS strike me like blogs; just one person standing on a soapbox saying THIS IS GOOD, THIS IS BAD. If they don't elaborate or verbalize their thoughts, there is no meaning to the list and I tune them out.
If a poster can't articulate how a film strikes them, or backs up their thoughts or impressions with any explanation, then a list is useless.
There are always those who post because they just like to hear themselves talk. Trying to create self importance. Those kind of posts impress no one.
Right, TikiSoo, baby. That's all I meant, that's all I want. A little conversation, a few thoughts and impressions about the choices they've put on their list. I mean, there must be a reason why they picked the ones they did, why wouldn't they want to 'splain about it a little?
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My favorite parts of this thread thus far?
Sometimes, a simple unexpanded list has it's place in the world. If it manages to provide amusement/illustrate the thoughts of it's author without further elaboration, then all's still good. If the list happens to give me an idea of the next movie to go seek out, then even better. And if not & if I am so minded - then then it's time to find a more meaty thread to rummage around in - like a thread about lists...
Ok. But that's exactly what I'm saying, that just a list, let's say 3 movie titles, plunked down in a post, without any "further elaboration", does not impress me the way it seems to impress you. I can read a list of 3 movies (whatever the theme or topic of the list, no matter), but unlike you, for me that bald 3 titles, nothing personal or anything at all added to explain why they're on the list, has the opposite effect. It does not "manage to provide amusement" at all, and especially, it does NOT "illustrate the thoughts of its author without further elaboration."
How can it? The list just contains a few movie titles, nothing more. I am left to guess, to infer, what they meant and why they put those choices on their list.
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Um, actually, someone else - Madame Cave Girl - did bring up the British "angry young man / kitchen sink" working class genre of movies, a while ago. I quote:
Though I like American-made blue collar films, I've always really enjoyed the British take on such things, Speedracer.
A film I admire is "Saturday Night and Sunday Morning" from the early 1960's by Karel Reisz and starring Albert Finney.
It is nice to see the British "angry young man" as they were then known, of the time period featured in films.
Just giving credit where credit is due.
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At least now I know my list threads are ******* garbage. Thanks, gang. I would have just gone on enjoying myself, not knowing I was doing everything wrong, what with my embalming practices and trafficking in trivialities.
I can't tell if you jest, or not. Maybe both.
Now, now, Lawrence, no one has said or implied that your list threads are"garbage". I've explained here until I'm blue in the face that your list threads, as well as everybody else's, are fine. I like lists well enough, I just think (this will be about the 10th time I've said this) that they would be more entertaining if people took a minute to post an "explanation", - brief, simple, no writing degree required - as to why they chose the titles they put on their list.
Methinks you are being just a wee bit overly-sensitive.
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I don't know if we are in the minority but, I certainly agree wholeheartedly with this post.
On another site , I'm in a classic rock group and all aspects are discussed. But, there is this one guy who will simply post a random link to a youtube video. No rhyme or reason why. No comment at all. Did he like the guitar or hate the bass ? We never know. There were times when he would fill up the front page with random music videos. What's the purpose ??
As far as lists, I care about a list if its personal. I will make a list myself on occasion. But, sometimes it becomes a contest to see who can copy and paste the longest list. And I ask once again, to what purpose ? Anyone can go to IMDB , Wikipedia or even this site and so many more to find lists. Posting them on a message board isn't all that impressive frankly.
I would think a major reason we are here on this site is because we love classic movies. We have a passion for them. We all don't like all classic films so that's where the fun begins. Compare, contrast, discuss, debate all of those can be interesting if done with maturity and class. Often through this process, I learn some things about a film I didn't know before that spurs me to watch it or rewatch it.
I think what we post here should as some level foster discussion. Even a rant can get a topic going. If you just make a random list of movies starring someone, that really doesn't stir the pot. But, if you post "The best John Wayne film is Red River !" Someone is bound to post in seconds that you are nuts. That its "The Searchers" or "Stagecoach" or True Grit" or a host of others. (Just an example).
I'd rather see a list of one or two (or three) and tell us why those are special to you. What scenes must we watch again,what should we look for ? That's the magic of classic films. It can be a tender moment, a rolled eye, a furrowed brow that tells you all you need to know about a scene. And the skill of the actors pulling this off shows.
There are some on this board who seem to hate everything. Some hate everything post 1970, Everything in color, everything that doesn't have a man in a trench coat and fedora etc... I love that ! I don't have to agree with you. With over a 1,000 films produced, we can never agree on all of them.
My close friend's favorite film of all time is Midred Pierce. She also loves Imitation of Life. Those types of films just rip your heart out. I feel like I need to lay down afterwards LOL. But, we still talk about them.
If we all liked the same things, this board would have shut down long ago.
I think, In my opinion, when we post, we should remember our passion for these films. They are like time machines to a long ago era. Instead of complaining about TCM not showing this or that,why not tell us and TCM why they should show it more often. Why younger generations need to see this film instead of North by Northwest. What's great or memorable it.
@MissWonderly3, thanks for starting this fascinating thread. don't give up on it now, it hasn't been a day ! Give some of us a chance to put our two cents in.
Yes, yes, yes, to everything you said, GGGGerald, baby. Especially the bits I've bolded.
Anyone can post a video, or copy and paste a list, or come up with 3 movies they like, if they add nothing personal themselves about their thought process behind doing it. I can just cruise the internet if it's that kind of stuff I want.
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That's one of the emoticons that doesn't have a description, so it's
a little ambiguous. Wise guy with a toothache? I don't like a lot of
things stuffed into the ice cream, but chocolate chips and brownie
chunks are fairly minimal. I've never gone for the cookie dough ice
cream. Cookie dough tastes better all by itself.
Especially if it's washed down with a little grape Kool-Aid, right?
Off Topic: Favorite Music?
in Your Favorites
Posted
This is one of the things I like about this thread, you learn about music you didn't know much about before. Although, if I'd thought about her at all, I'd have said I liked Gwen Stefani (I used to work with a young woman who was a big fan), the only thing I was familiar with was "Holloback Girl", which I quite like, both the song and the video. Catchy and fun, and as far as I can tell with Gwen Stefani, at the same time making a statement about women's power.
Thanks, speedy and db for the No Doubt tunes.