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 Our Two Cents - Film, TV Series, Book, and Game Reviews
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| George Francisco |
Posted on 06-03-2009 05:52
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 Member  Posts: 26 Joined: 13.02.09 Country:  |
Hello Everyone, Here is a section for reviews. Feel free to post your thoughts about movies, TV series, books, etc. However, remember to indicate whether or not you have spoilers. Have a good one!  Warmest regards, George |
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| Karole Skeen |
Posted on 06-03-2009 09:56
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 Admin  Posts: 335 Joined: 01.02.09 |
Hello George, One of my favorite movies of all time is "The Gods Must Be Crazy," a comedy by Jamie Uys (1980). Based in the African's Kalahari desert, it is the story of a quiet tribe that gets greatly affected when an empty coke bottle falls from the heavens -- actually thrown out by the careless pilot of a small plane flying above. Edited by Karole Skeen on 11-03-2009 13:58 Karóle Skeen Administrator Believe in miracles; they happen daily! |
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| Diane Cleak |
Posted on 09-03-2009 11:40
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 Moderator  Posts: 112 Joined: 04.02.09 Country:  |
Hi Everyone, One of my favourite movies is "The Talented Mr Ripley", directed by Anthony Minghella. It is set mainly in Italy, and has a wonderful feel for the country, probably due to the fact that the director came from an Italian family. Unfortunately he died in 2008, but his family still has their Italian ice-cream parlour in the Isle of Wight, United Kingdom. This movie was nominated for the Academy Award for Adapted Screenplay in 1999, and it was released in 2000. It is beautifully acted. The main stars are :- Matt Damon Gwyneth Paltrow Gwyneth Paltrow Cate Blanchett It is a very interesting movie. All best wishes, Diane
Edited by Diane Cleak on 09-03-2009 11:42 |
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| Galadriel Grace |
Posted on 11-03-2009 08:52
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 Member Posts: 93 Joined: 03.02.09 Country:  |
With my husband working at night I often will get a movie from iTunes and watch it by myself - usually the "chick flick" types that I know he wouldn't really be interested in. The last one I watched I was surprised by, I expected your general romantic comedy. It was "Sliding Doors", also starring Gwyneth Paltrow. I was also surprised that I hadn't heard of it before, since it was out in 1998. I'm not going to give it away, but it was a movie about a woman's relationships and most of it seemed pretty sad and depressing at first. But, the idea was "what would happen if you were 10 minutes early instead of late" and the movie takes you through her life paralleling her life if she were. I didn't realize the point until the end and I found it quite profound and applicable to life in general. We often have regrets of being late because we wonder or expect that things would have been better. I'll leave it at that.  Galadriel Grace Advisory Board Love my Mac! |
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| Diane Cleak |
Posted on 12-03-2009 11:02
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Moderator Posts: 112 Joined: 04.02.09 Country: |
Hi Galadriel, You have reminded me, yes, I like "Sliding Doors". I really love Gwyneth Paltrow's acting, and it was a thought-provoking form. All best wishes, Diane |
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| Diane Cleak |
Posted on 20-03-2009 11:24
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Moderator Posts: 112 Joined: 04.02.09 Country: |
Hi All, We have a television station over here that provides movies all the time, and sometimes they have some excellent movies!! (Sometimes not, lol). Well this is a coincidence, but "Sliding Doors" was on in the week!!! So I watched it again. I think it is quite a thought-provoking little movie! Also, for my birthday, I was given a DVD of a movie called "Notes on a Scandal", starring Judi Dench and Kate Blanchett, which is an excellent movie. We first saw it shortly after we moved here, as it was on at a lovely little cinema we have here which is located right on the cliff-top. They offer a morning movie and serve coffee and a croissant before it. It is intended for retired people, but then my husband is! We have only been to a few movies there, as generally they have old sentimental ones! However, I really enjoyed "Notes on a Scandal". I don't know about you, but I enjoy watching my favourite movies several times!!! How do you feel about that? Is it the same with you? Have a great week-end! Diane
Edited by Diane Cleak on 20-03-2009 11:27 |
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| Karole Skeen |
Posted on 20-03-2009 11:48
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Admin Posts: 335 Joined: 01.02.09 |
I love movies, Diane; therefore, I often end up watching the same movie twice because when a movie is on, I get sucked in by this strong magnet - whether I've seen the movie previously or not. I love the Art of Acting. Good acting is a marvel to watch for me, and there are so many great actors in the world. Now with advanced technology, it is even more impressive because the camera can be more intimate with the actor's character. Of course, a good story line is needed. Nothing is more disappointing to me than to watch an entire movie that ends stupidly. Good thing the director(s) and producer(s) are not around me when that happens! 
Karóle Skeen Administrator Believe in miracles; they happen daily! |
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| Diane Cleak |
Posted on 22-03-2009 12:46
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Moderator Posts: 112 Joined: 04.02.09 Country: |
Hi Karole, Yes, I love acting and everything to do with it! No wonder acting started off as a spiritual upliftment, exercised in the temples of early civilisation. Although I was brought up in a village, I spent most of my working and adult life in London, and I frequented the theatre a great deal. I saw some really wonderful performances of many of our greatest actors. I even managed to see Al Pacino when he came over to play the lead role in "American Buffalo". Come to think of it, I loved that so much, that I went back to see that again as well!!! All best wishes, Diane |
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| Diane Cleak |
Posted on 26-03-2009 07:42
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Moderator Posts: 112 Joined: 04.02.09 Country: |
Hi all, One of my old favourites is "The Mission" (1986) I just love the scenery in South America, with amazing waterfalls. Also, I love the music, as well as the great acting. Jeremy Irons always does inner turmoil so well, so he is great in the part. I must admit that I am not always impressed with the acting of Robert De Nero (sorry fans), but now and again, he provides us with a fantastic performance, and this is one major example. I love the way he starts as a person who cares for nothing other than his own reward, and becomes so inspired by the lives of the Jesuit priests he accompanies, that he becomes a champion for others. I don't want to give too much away if you have not seen it. One of the features that impresses me about this movie is that it sounds so unpromising, as it is based on the writings of a Papal envoy. However, it is a story that really draws you in, and gives you the full range of human emotions. All best wishes to you, Diane |
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| Karole Skeen |
Posted on 27-03-2009 11:56
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Admin Posts: 335 Joined: 01.02.09 |
Diane, I just watched "The Mission" last week. I belong to a service available in the U.S. that is called NetFlix. Most people have heard of it; therefore, you probably have, too, although you live in the UK. I often use NetFlix to order older films that won awards. That is how I came to watch "The Mission." I like Robert de Niro, but he is best with playing endearing thugs raher than substance characters. He did a good job on this, probably because in a good part of the movie, he was a thug. Knowing that the movie is based on a true story is upsetting. What man do to man, especially for financial gain, always floors me! On the other hand, I prefer to immerse myself in thoughts such as the following by Rabindranath Tagore, “Men are cruel, but Man is kind.” I, too, recommend the viewing of "The Mission." P.S. HandsConnect applied today for an affiliate membership with NetFlix. If you plan on subscribing to their service, wait till we get our link -- keeping in mind that all profits in HandsConnect and/or HCShare is directly applied to the development of the program and revenues sharing with its members. Karóle Skeen Administrator Believe in miracles; they happen daily! |
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| Diane Cleak |
Posted on 28-03-2009 08:18
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Moderator Posts: 112 Joined: 04.02.09 Country: |
Hi Karole, I don't think we have NetFlix in the UK unfortunately. This is a coincidence that you have watched the "Mission" recently. I agree with you, but of course slavery was accepted as the norm by many European powers for many decades, and they really abused these native peoples who had so much wisdom. I feel that we have to consider these matters, with the hope that we will not continue to make the same mistakes. Just like that example you gave us about the chimpanzees, and those other ones, whose name I cannot recall but began with "b", man is between being a devil and being an angel - or perhaps a bit of each!! I hope you are having a great week-end. Loving thoughts to all, Diane
Edited by Diane Cleak on 28-03-2009 08:19 |
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| Karole Skeen |
Posted on 28-03-2009 11:11
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Admin Posts: 335 Joined: 01.02.09 |
Hello Diane, The name of man's closest-relative alongside the other Chimpanzee is Bonobo, also known as Pygmy Chimpanzee, Dwarf Chimpanzee, Gracile Chimpanzee and, finally, Orgies (for their uncommon sexual behavior). It is a distinct species. Your can watch a short intro to a BCC documentary about them. Copy and paste the following link in a new browser: http://www.youtube.com/watch?gl=NL&hl=nl&v=eubDSQrFako The longer documentary that fascinated me so much is called (I believe), "The Last Great Ape," although I wouldn't swear to that, and I couldn't find it on NetFlix. Also if you wish to review some scientific facts about the species, a good site for it is the following: http://www.ilovek...te/node/22 The webpage documents the discovery of the species (along the Congo River), how it was misnamed, renamed, reclassifed; and, its relationship to homo sapiens (man). It also provides some pictures of the species. Forewarning: Some of the pics may be offensive to some viewers. Edited by Karole Skeen on 28-03-2009 17:45 Karóle Skeen Administrator Believe in miracles; they happen daily! |
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| Diane Cleak |
Posted on 29-03-2009 11:33
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Moderator Posts: 112 Joined: 04.02.09 Country: |
Hi Karole, Thank you, yes "Bonobo" is the other specie. Thank you for mentioning the films, which help us to understand our own nature. All best wishes, Diane |
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| Galadriel Grace |
Posted on 31-03-2009 16:57
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Member Posts: 93 Joined: 03.02.09 Country: |
I tend to watch a lot of kids movies... go figure... But we're picky and tend to look for wholesome movies, not just fluffy entertainment - if it's something I can't stand to watch, well, the kids won't be watching it either. Anyway, one of my recent favorites is Mr. Magorium's Wonder Emporium - this one has a great message about believing in yourself, along with excellent magical effects and pure innocence. It's a great movie no matter what your age and I highly recommend it. Galadriel Grace Advisory Board Love my Mac! |
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| Diane Cleak |
Posted on 07-05-2009 12:19
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Moderator Posts: 112 Joined: 04.02.09 Country: |
Hi Galadriel, I remember the day that my mother took me to see "Bambi" and I cried the place down when his mother was killed!! The usherette had to come up and tell my mother that if I did not shut up, we would be asked to leave!! So I had better keep away from these innocent movies!! All best wishes, Diane
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| Karole Skeen |
Posted on 10-05-2009 11:58
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Admin Posts: 335 Joined: 01.02.09 |
Oh my, Diane! I also cried my heart out when Bambi's mother was shot. I believe I've had an aversion to hunting ever since. I wonder how much all those very violent movies -- even kids' movies -- affect kids nowadays. I'm sure some of it will stick with them for a lifetime, like Bambi did for me. Galadriel, keep up the good work with those precious bundles of yours. Happy Mother's Day, dear. I hope you get pampered plenty today. Karóle Skeen Administrator Believe in miracles; they happen daily! |
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| Karole Skeen |
Posted on 06-07-2009 20:17
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Admin Posts: 335 Joined: 01.02.09 |
This weekend I saw a movie with Nicolas Cage, one of my favorite actors. In "Next," the main character sees the future but only two minutes ahead of real time. Needless to say, his ability greatly influences how he conducts his life, especially his need to avoid public discovery for fear of becoming a scientific guinea pig. This is a movie I recommend for entertainment purposes. It was fascinating to see how knowing the future (or thinking we know it) can govern our present. Karóle Skeen Administrator Believe in miracles; they happen daily! |
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| Galadriel Grace |
Posted on 21-12-2009 15:08
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Member Posts: 93 Joined: 03.02.09 Country: |
This past weekend we finally rented the movie "Up" - I remember it was one that you'd recommended when it came out, Karóle. It was great - me, Adam and the kids all enjoyed it so much we watched it twice! It's a great movie for kids and adults. Thanks!
Galadriel Grace Advisory Board Love my Mac! |
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| BrendaLilley |
Posted on 29-12-2009 23:13
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 Admin Posts: 247 Joined: 24.01.09 |
Sounds like one I need to get for Phil and I.... Brenda Lilley Forum Administrator Work to help others. Help others to work. Create your circle. |
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