Sunday, October 2, 2005

Recent Movies Seen.............

Saw Flight Plan this evening. Good movie, excellent acting by Jodie Foster & Sean Bean. A big change for Sean from his role in National Treasure. Anyone else see this movie?
 
Last week saw  An Unfinished Life. Again great acting by Robert Redford, Morgan Freeman, and Jennifer Lopez................yes she can act, and she looks great too.
 
                                                                                                                        mpu

85 comments:

  1. This message has been deleted by the author.

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  2. Sandy;            Have not seen this movie. One Montreal made movie that I have watched a few times is "The Whole Nine Yards"...........absolutely great in my opinion....There are tons of movies made in Montreal, it is always fun to see a scene and say, I know where that is. Many years ago Kirk Douglas made a scene for a movie in the CPR ticket office waiting room, where my wife worked at the time....................mpu.

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  3. This message has been deleted by the author.

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  4. Sandy; Yes. Morgan Freeman is an excellent actor. I have seen Shawshank Redemption a few times.............enjoyed his performance in Million Dollar Baby also...  ...Jessie just woken up from a nap...what a hard life...

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  5. I believe Morgan was also in a movie within last few years called "Kiss the Girls Goodbye", played an FBI-type person.  Might be a different title.......years do that to you.  Also played the same character (I believe) in a flick re the kidnapping of the Pres. daughter from a private school.  One of the earliest movies I saw him in, I believe, was done in TO or Mtl and he played an extremely nasty street person. Can anybody help me with the name?  He recently narrates the movie "March of the Penguins" and the reviews on this movie have been over the top. Saw the " Lord of War" recently about arm sales to terrorists and others. Nicholas Cage does a great job.   It has certainly raised my awareness on the subject of arms dealing.   Sorry to be babbling, however, I LOVE movies.  One of my all-time favourites was "Jaws".  That year, the person that did the editing for this movie won an oscar, however, I have discovered an error in the editing which I'v told friends about and they agree with me. Happy viewing, George (Sonny) Martin

    ReplyDelete
  6. Well  MPU,...two things,.....1: i didn't Remember MF being in Brubaker,....( I liked that movie) 2: I would have thought it was in the 70's for some reason,.......but 1980 is close enough,........man where does the time go,......I Remember buying a state of the art ( for those days) VCR,...with a remote that did more things than most present day ones do,...........get this 'full retail' at that time was,....just over $1900. bucks,....I made a deal with a place in town here to buy 2 and got them for the 'low' price of $1400 each,.......and they threw in a free dinner at a local Chinese Restaurant called Mings,...........hahahahahaha Now you buy them with a VCR/DVD combo unit for about $80/bucks...........hahahahhaha  ......I gave it away about in the late 90's...........it might still be going,........hahahaha   it was great for working out woth,because it weighed about as much as a small block chevy.........hahahahah  Here's a flyer from a few days ago showing one now at 79dollars .............by the way that's an impressive list of films to Morgan Freemans credit,.......I think everyone would Rememeber back to say 'Shawshank Redemtion',but I was surorised to see how many others prior to that ,that he was in,........I guess it like the old saying,.......   'it took him 30 years,..to become an 'overnight success'     ......He's sure put in his time,.......................     HF&RV

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  7. Thx for the list MPU.......concerned that it does not show the listing I mentioned about nasty street guy.......I think the late Christopher Reeves was also in the movie as a reporter.  Got to search  for that one.........Sonny

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  8. "Just like Heaven?" was a sweet comical love story with no bedroom scenes. What a pleasant surprise !!! Jackie from Galt

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  10. Hey Sonny, are you the same Sonny that used to play the music, or be the
    D.J. at the "Y" dances on LaSalle Blvd. in Crawford Park in the early
    sixties, & if so, have you ever spoken to any of the crowd that used to hang
    around the stage?.........Did any of the folk's here, who may read this
    remember that particular dance, every Tuesday Night.......My, My, What fun
    we had at those dances........However if this has already been discussed in
    times past to it's inth degree, then I don't mind moving on.........





    Norman





    >From: "sunny"
    >Reply-To: "Verdun Connections"
    >To: "Verdun Connections"
    >Subject: Re: Recent Movies Seen.............
    >Date: Thu, 6 Oct 2005 01:54:01 -0700
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    > New Message on Verdun Connections
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    > Recent Movies Seen.............
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    > I believe Morgan was also in a movie within last few years
    >called "Kiss the Girls Goodbye", played an FBI-type person.  Might be a
    >different title.......years do that to you.  Also played the same character
    >(I believe) in a flick re the kidnapping of the Pres. daughter from a
    >private school.  One of the earliest movies I saw him in, I believe, was
    >done in TO or Mtl and he played an extremely nasty street person. Can
    >anybody help me with the name?  He recently narrates the movie "March of
    >the Penguins" and the reviews on this movie have been over the top. Saw the
    >" Lord of War" recently about arm sales to terrorists and others. Nicholas
    >Cage does a great job.   It has certainly raised my awareness on the
    >subject of arms dealing.   Sorry to be babbling, however, I LOVE movies. 
    >One of my all-time favourites was "Jaws".  That year, the person that did
    >the editing for this movie won an oscar, however, I have discovered an
    >error in the editing which I'v told friends about and they agree with me.
    >Happy viewing, George (Sonny) Martin
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    ReplyDelete
  11. Norm.......Did u have red hair?.......The Norm I knew, did. (trying to think of the nickname......was it 'Stereo')  Yes I played the records for a few years. (see my note re "Does anyone remeber Alan Costigan")  Have been in touch with a few of the people that used to go to the dance..........Bob Duyns, Sandra Thomas, Peggy Birkett, Rosemary Anderson, Bruno Trottier, Mel Applebee and others, whose names escape me now, as it is 1:30 in the a.m. Do you or does anyone remember the last song played at the end of the eve?   By the way, am flying through to Montreal next w/e for the BC vs Als game....are you still there or in TO?

    ReplyDelete
  12. Recent Movies Seen.............

    I would have posted the Canadian made movie 'Better Than Chocolate' on
    the Canadian Artists thread, but it wasn't that good a movie.
    However if you like Woody Allen (Writer & Director and not in the
    movie), and your my age 65 +or- , then rent 'Radio Days'. Takes place
    between 1937 and 1944 in a lower middle class neighbourhood in N.Y.
    Lots of old music -- Ink Spots, Bing Crosby etc. Very nostalgic because
    it somehow reminded me of Second Avenue during the 40s. Maybe it was
    the combination of the 40s music, style of furniture, clothing, cars.
    Quite possibly it was the radio shows I used to listen to. Green
    Hornet, Suspense Theater, lone Ranger, Tarzan.
    Bill


    "Joy can be real only if people look upon their life as a service, and
    have a definite object in life outside themselves and their own
    personal happiness."
    - Leo Tolstoy

    ReplyDelete
  13. I would have posted the Canadian made movie 'Better Than Chocolate' on
    the Canadian Artists thread, but it wasn't that good a movie.
    However if you like Woody Allen (Writer & Director and not in the
    movie), and your my age 65 +or- , then rent 'Radio Days'. Takes place
    between 1937 and 1944 in a lower middle class neighbourhood in N.Y.
    Lots of old music -- Ink Spots, Bing Crosby etc. Very nostalgic because
    it somehow reminded me of Second Avenue during the 40s. Maybe it was
    the combination of the 40s music, style of furniture, clothing, cars.
    Quite possibly it was the radio shows I used to listen to. Green
    Hornet, Suspense Theater, lone Ranger, Tarzan.
    Bill

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  14. On Saturday saw Two For The Money with Al Pacino, Matthew McConnehy?, and Rene Russo..............quite good I thought.

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  15. Bill, Who stars in "Radio Days" and when was it made.........storyline?

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  16. As usual, Pacino over the top.......does a great job

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  17. HAS ANYBODY THOUGHT ABOUT THE PEOPLE HERE IN MONTREAL PLANNING A MOVIE NIGHT ,SAY ONCE A MONTH  PICK A MOVIE AND WE ALL MEET UP AT THE THREATRE THEN GO FOR COFFEE AFTERWARDS,   HOW DOES THAT SOUND??????

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  18. Here is the imdb web site for Radio Days. I really enjoyed Wallace Shaw
    as the Masked avenger.
    Also watched 'Flight Plan this afternoon and was transfixed by Jody
    Foster's role. She is one of the best 5 actors on earth! I enjoyed her
    'Silence of the Lambs', and 'Contact'. My next movie to see is
    'Capote'. About a very off center genus (225 IQ) who wrote some
    interesting books, and who committed suicide only because the rich and
    famous refused to allow him to associate with them any longer.
    Bill

    "A child's hand in yours -- what tenderness and power it arouses. You
    are instantly the very touchstone of wisdom and strength."
    - Marjorie Holmes

    ReplyDelete
  19. Radio Days 1987.

    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093818/

    P.s. Soooo glad the Yankees lost!

    "Make it a rule of life never to regret and never to look back. Regret
    is an appalling waste of energy; you can't build on it; it's only for
    wallowing in."
    -Katherine Mansfield


    -

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  20. Read the book that really turned Truman Capote around......about the slaughter of the Clutter family in Kansas back in the 60's, I think....."in Cold Blood"......saw the preview of the movie and it's going to be a great one.  Just can't think of the actor's name playing the part but has him down to a "T', including his lisp and semi-falsetto whine .   Anyone planning on seeing the movie should read this book first  if possible.

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  21. Watched Winn Dixie last night - great movie for elementary school kids.

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  22. I was pretty sure that I had seen the movie before when I read your post. The new one is a remake. Here is a link to info on the original. http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061809/

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  23. Has anyone else seen March of the Penguins' My wife
    and I saw it in Calgary recently.
    I never thought I would enjoy a documentery but
    this one just blew me away.
    Wayne

    ReplyDelete
  24. Sorry about the extra title, I must have put one too many periods in.

    Watched 'The Apprenticeship of Duddy Kravitz' tape again yesterday. All
    about a teenaged jewish boy (Richard Dreyfuss) growing up on the
    streets of Montreal. Plenty of scenes of the streets, lanes etc. of the
    city. Maybe the east end but not sure. St. Hubert Street was mentioned
    I think. Is there such a street?
    If it comes out in DVD format I'll but it.
    I enjoy the special features on the DVD as much as the story itself.
    A friend of mine (Sylvia Stoddard) does commentary on DVDs, such as
    'Love is a Many Splendored Thing'. Which is a great chick flick.
    Romance.
    Bill
    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0071155/
    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0061275/

    "I hold it true, whate’er befall; I feel it, when I sorrow most; ’Tis
    better to have loved and lost than never to have loved at all." -
    Alfred Tennyson

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  25. Bill;   There is definitely a St.Hubert street....this is where the first St. Hubert BBQ was founded. My wife and I had our wedding reception at this location on may 22, 1976. This spot has since been closed but there are many St.Hubert's around Montreal, also one in Cornwall....... first one on St.Hubert Street opened September 25, 1951.....nice delivery vehicles which later gave way to Yellow Beetles, .....now Honda Civics.................................................no picture....................................mpu.

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  26. Hi SecondAve, I hope you saw the non edited version of Duddy Kravitz. The edited version skips the opening scene with the Guaranteed Pure Milk where the horse takes a U No what on the street in the middle of the intersection. The Black Watch Cadets then have to march through the intersection. The Black Watch leader will not break step & steps in the horse dodo however the cadets do break step & go around the horse droppings. A fantastic opening which Channel 5 television in New York City always edited out.

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  27. I saw the opening scene uncut of the marching band, and the horse
    relieving himself. This was a phenomena witnessed by us children on
    Second Avenue regularly in the 40s & 50s. It was quite an event
    actually. We were transfixed by these huge animal droppings. What
    horrified me once, my father demanded I go out there on the street in
    broad daylight, with my 10 year old face on fire, and bring some back
    for his 5' X 5' front yard garden. I made sure it never happened a
    second time.

    Watched 'Waking Ned Devine' today. Charming flick.
    Bill

    "You think your pains and heartbreaks are unprecedented in the history
    of the world, but then you read. It was books that taught me that the
    things that tormented me were the very things that connected me with
    all the people who were alive, or who have ever been alive."
    - James Baldwin

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  28. Hi Bill, How did you like the ending of Waking Ned Devine? This movie along with the Steve McQueen film 'The Getaway' are my two all time favorite movie endings-Walter 

    ReplyDelete
  29. Ya it couldn't have ended any other way. You're right it is a good
    ending. Interesting side note, the returning permanent priest actually
    sent the witch to her demise. The other film 'The Getaway', isn't
    available just yet.
    I see Pierce Brosnan (53) got bumped from the next James Bond film by a
    younger Daniel Craig, an unknown.
    I watched all 4 Sean Connery James Bond films recently and 'Goldfinger'
    has to be the best. The last one he made, 'Never Say Never Again',
    Connery is much older and looked tired.
    Walter, If you'd like a charming film try renting 'Smoke Signals'.
    Bill

    http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/story/355873p-303311c.html



    "Make it a rule of life never to regret and never to look back. Regret
    is an appalling waste of energy; you can't build on it; it's only for
    wallowing in."
    -Katherine Mansfield


    -

    ReplyDelete
  30. Hi Bill, Smoke Signals, you got it, sounds great & I'll see if I can rent it-thanks. Last night on tv I saw a James Bond history feature. Producers Albert Broccoli & Harry Saltzman wanted Cary Grant to do the James Bond movies. Cary Grant would only sign to do one movie, the producers wanted to do five movies. Broccoli had seen Sean Connery in a Disney film & called him in for talks. Broccoli & Saltzman sent Connery to Jamaica to meet the writer Ian Flemming. Flemming did not like Connery, he wanted Roger Moore. Moore was in contract with the Saint movies & was unable to do the Bond films. I say thank God as I like the Sean Connery Bond films the best. Ian Flemming got the name of James Bond after he met someone in Jamaica named James Bond. Flemming thought the name James Bond was really wimpy & funny. He got a kick out of calling his character James Bond.
    The feature I saw took the Bond films right up to the present time. Regarding Pierce Brosnan they said that the movie people liked Brosnan however Brosnan kept telling people that he had done his last Bond film. That being the case they signed up the new blonde guy only to be contacted by Brosnan who was upset & said he wanted to keep doing the Bond films. Stay tuned. I think I saw this Bond feature on The Fox Movie Channel or Turner Classic Movies, not sure which. The mind is going, what's next? No, don't tell me! Hope your weekend is great-Walter

    ReplyDelete
  31. "The Luck of Ginger Coffee' 1964. Good film about an Irish immigrant
    family trying to make it in Montreal. Mary Ure and Robert Shaw (husband
    and wife in the movie and in life). Various shots of the city in
    winter. I have the VHS tape only. I do not think there is a DVD as yet
    -- ugh! Movie studios are finally producing the DVD format for their
    old films with the special features included, but it is a long time
    coming.
    If anyone has either read the book or watch the movie, please tell me
    their interpretation of the ending. Did she take her good hearted but
    tortured husband back? I was left with a huge question. Maybe the
    intention was to leave the viewer hanging but hoping.
    Bill

    Love cures people--both the ones who give it and the ones who receive
    it.
    --Karl Menninger

    ReplyDelete
  32. Any train lovers out there? 'The Station Agent' is one of those low
    budgeted sleeper films that become a hit by word of mouth. Remember
    'Brothers McMullen' Total cost $26,000 and won numerous awards. This
    train movie is such a winner.
    Bill

    ReplyDelete
  33. Na    I doubt if you find any train lovers on this site,.........

    ReplyDelete
  34. Watched the Interpreter last Saturday - good movie - no sex and no foul language - some violence not that it dominates the movie.

    ReplyDelete
  35. must have been a short film.....................hahahahaha  

    ReplyDelete
  36. You would probably have fallen asleep Les - there was implied sex - swingers party - Nicole Kidman - Sean Penn

    ReplyDelete
  37. Hi Bill, I loved The Station Agent. The Starz Cable Channel is showing it, I've watched it three times. Starz is also showing Meet Joe Black which I've seen a few times. As of this moment Hurricane Wilma is on track to cross right over Palm Beach County but I'll still find time today to tune away from weather coverage & watch a good movie-Walter

    ReplyDelete
  38. I have seen 4 Sean Connery James Bond films. Dr. No, From Russia With
    Love, Goldfinger, You Only Live Twice, Diamonds are Forever. Is there
    another one?
    Bill

    "Joy can be real only if people look upon their life as a service, and
    have a definite object in life outside themselves and their own
    personal happiness."
    - Leo Tolstoy

    ReplyDelete
  39. 5 Sean Connery films seen so far, not 4. My 10 fingers have never
    failed me before. Hmm... I turned 65 on the 13th of this month. I
    thought the legs go first not the fingers.
    Bill

    "Our very lives, as ex-problem drinkers, depend upon our constant
    thought of others and how we may help meet their needs."
    ...Big Book

    ReplyDelete
  40. Saturday night saw "Dreamer: Inspired by a True Story''. The BEST movie I have seen this year....was not expecting the great performance given by Kris Kristoferson.                                                                                                                                                                             mpu

    ReplyDelete
  41. If you like or dislike Bob Dylan you may enjoy the Martin Scorsese's
    documentary DVD 'No Direction Home'.


    VerdanaFFFF,FFFF,FFFFNo
    http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/dylan/


    Although I listened to it I never connected with his music back when
    (60s 70s), and always wondered why he was so popular. I realize now
    after watching the biography it was his poetry which gave him his
    stardom, and I wasn't one to listen to the words per se. I do now.


    Bob Dylan's recent music is more to my liking. His song 'Things Have
    Changed' from a great film 'The Wonder boys' is my favorite. More
    musical with a beat.


    "It does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty Gods, or
    no God."

    - Thomas Jefferson

    ReplyDelete
  42. Hi Bill   I grabbed the DVD when it came out.  I enjoyed it and I will continue to.  Dylan must have been a shock to the scene when he first appeared in the Village,  He was so different.   You're right, it was his poetry, his words that made him so memorable.  Imagine sitting in one of the little coffee houses in the Village listening to a 20 year old Dylan, then Dave Van Ronk, then Maria Muldaur.   Magic times.    BobB

    ReplyDelete
  43. Words to the wise. Do not watch 'Hours' with a tooth ache. Incredible
    movie otherwise.
    Downloaded Dylan's 'Time Out of Mind' album from iTunes. Not bad at all.
    Bill

    The true value of a human being is determined primarily by the measure
    and the sense in which he has attained liberation from the self.
    --Albert Einstein

    ReplyDelete


  44. If you like or dislike Bob Dylan you may enjoy the Martin Scorsese's
    documentary DVD 'No Direction Home'.

    No http://www.pbs.org/wnet/americanmasters/dylan/

    Although I listened to it I never connected with his music back when
    (60s 70s), and always wondered why he was so popular. I realize now
    after watching the biography it was his poetry which gave him his
    stardom, and I wasn't one to listen to the words per se. I do now.

    Bob Dylan's recent music is more to my liking. His song 'Things Have
    Changed' from a great film 'The Wonder boys' is my favorite. More
    musical with a beat.

    "It does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty Gods, or
    no God."
    - Thomas Jefferson

    -

    ReplyDelete
  45. The above message 2 days late.
    Bill

    The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I
    can change.
    *~ Carl Rogers ~*


    ReplyDelete
  46. Hi Ya Second,   From what I heard, men's legs, fingers, and hearing aren't the first thing to go hahaha. I can't wait for the golden years.       Mike

    ReplyDelete
  47. I'm a HUGE Dylan fan, and I haven't seen "No Direction Home" as of yet, but I'm dying to. I really connected with Dylan, back in 1975 at the age of 14. I missed alot of his music and poetry, but caught up quickly. He says a lot of great things in his lyrics, and there are messages for each individual to interpret. He protested a lot, but many think he protested only about the Vietman war. If you would like me to email you some of his music, I would be happy to oblige.     Mike

    ReplyDelete
  48. Saw JARHEAD Saturday........enjoyed it although not a classic.,,,,,,,,,,mpu

    ReplyDelete
  49. Saw 'Jar Head' tonight. Not good. A total leftist Hollywood anti war
    flick. Put the Marine Corp in a very bad light with too much over the
    top B.S. The theater was empty, and rightly so. The story line sucked
    big.
    Bill

    "Kwitchyerbellyakin."
    - Irish saying

    ReplyDelete
  50. I thought Jarhead was good....the only negative aspect was that it shattered my vision that the real USMC was as portrayed by Jim Nabors in his role as Gomer Pyle......Well Golllllly Geeeeee Sargent!!!!!!!!!!...................whether the boot camp scene is real or not, it is always similar in any ''military'' movie, and to me is always disturbing and excessive........mpu 

    ReplyDelete
  51. I agree Multi. with the boot camp scenes. I thought they were authentic
    enough. I worked with the Marine Corp in Japan for two years while in
    the Navy, however I never once witnessed a wailing wall of 'dear john'
    letters. In the story every recruit was blessed with unfaithful wives
    or girls friends. Ya, show that movie to the young men (18 to 20+) in a
    war zone to brighten up the morale. Not cool.

    Message: If you join the Marine Corp your wife will have an adulterous
    affair.

    ReplyDelete
  52. Second Ave   Many movies you watch now seem to have an adulterous liaison woven into the plot, so the message should be:   If you join life, your husband/wife will have an adulterous affair.   Point is:  it doesn't only happen in the Marine Corps.

    ReplyDelete
  53. Watched "The man who lost himself" (made for TV) tonight. The true story of Terry Evanshen's life altering accident. Glad I did.

    ReplyDelete
  54. Adultery is a terrible sin. Best not to be married.


    A God who allowed Christians to believe that they were better than
    savages was a God he wanted no part of.

    0000,0000,FFFF- Mark Twain.

    ReplyDelete
  55. I'll have to wait for the DVD. Sounds very interesting.

    "The man who lost himself" (made for TV) tonight. The true story of
    Terry Evanshen's life altering accident.

    "To keep your marriage brimming, / With love in the loving cup, /
    Whenever you're wrong, admit it; / Whenever you're right, shut up."

    ReplyDelete
  56. Another rented movie I recently viewed. 'The Commitments'. Irish made
    film about a rock and roll (soul) group put together in North Dublin. 5
    men and 3 women. The film director actually auditioned many singers and
    actors and made an interesting movie. The Commitments cut a couple of
    albums. A wonderful movie I can't imagine why that one got by me ten
    years ago or so. Looking for some great entertainment check it out.


    Faith is the supreme effort of your life -- throwing yourself with
    abandon and total confidence upon God.

    ReplyDelete
  57. Hi Bill

    You've struck another chord with me. I love the Committments. I have the DVD and trot it out when ever I need to see that movie. It's based on a book by Roddy Doyle I think. The part I love is that the male singer in the Committments was only 16 years old (looks older I know) when the movie was made. What a voice. And the band....don't you love how they transform from a ramshackle band, loose, missing cues to a tight R & B band doing gems like Mustang Sally. Great movie.

    BobB

    ReplyDelete
  58. Bob I ordered the DVD (The Commitments). Its the collectors edition
    whatever that means. Great casting and especially the direction by Alan
    Parker. He also directed 'Angela's Ashes' as you may know. The lead
    singer Andrew Strong has a solo album out called 'Strong'. He must be
    30 years old by now b/c the film came out in 1991.
    Bill

    "Kwitchyerbellyakin."
    - Irish saying

    ReplyDelete
  59. Hi Bill

    I think the collector's edition may have extras in it. Songs not in the film, etc. If the singer is now 30...that's scary....for me not him.

    BobB

    ReplyDelete

  60. I just finished watching Orson Wells' 'Touch of Evil' a few minutes
    ago. I am perplexed. Why did this movie win awards in Europe and the
    studio hated it? I cannot see the greatness in any of Wells' films
    other than 'Citizen Cain'. They must have cut holes in the floors to
    lower the cameramen to get those too many distracting looking up shots.
    Was this a break through for 1958 movies? It cannot be merely the
    meager budgets? I've seen recent low budget films which are wonderfully
    made with newcomers at the helm, and Wells was considered a master film
    maker.
    What am I missing? Why do film schools study his old films in addition
    to 'Citizen Cain'?? I simply don't get it.
    I would imagine this type of film isn't everyone's cup of tea, but I'm
    sure one or two of you maybe aware why others might worship at the
    Wells altar.

    Faith is the supreme effort of your life -- throwing yourself with
    abandon and total confidence upon God.
    -- Emmett Fox

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  61. This is the 3rd such post I have made since last night and hopefully
    I'll have better luck this time.

    Very funny English comedy called 'Shaun of the Dead'. If you are as
    weird as I am, you'll laugh your behinds off.
    Bill

    The true value of a human being is determined primarily by the measure
    and the sense in which he has attained liberation from the self.
    --Albert Einstein

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  62. This message has been deleted by the author.

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  63. Sandy thanks for the tip. I ordered the complete 4th season of the TV
    show '24'. So when I finish those 5 disks, I'll check out 'Christmas
    with the Kranks'. I love feel good flicks.
    Bill

    "Friendship is born at that moment when one person says to another:
    What! You, too? Thought I was the only one."

    - Clive Staples Lewis

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  64. Watched Francis Copola's 1968 musical (2004 DVD) film 'Finian's Rainbow
    yesterday, and his special features today. Two Irish immigrants, Fred
    Astaire, Petula Clark, with leprecon Tommy Steel. Great 40s songs from
    the Broadway production.
    I'll begin the 4th season of the TV show 24 tomorrow!
    B.


    I pray that my life may be deeply rooted in faith. I pray that I may
    feel deeply secure.

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  65. Another artist in Finian's Rainbow is Canadian singer, actor Don Francks. Don is an extraordinary Jazz singer. I have seen him perform a few time in Toronto. Recently (November) I saw him at a small venue, Dominion on Queen, and Petula Clark who was in town for an upcoming concert dropped by as a surprise for Don.

    BobB

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  66. Hi  BobB ,.......was Petula Clark in town,...or Downtown,.........and did the noise of the subway bother you,......or the bright lights,?    or do mind all that jazz? now be you an be Frank.......                                                        Sorry have only had a half cup of coffee so far,...head 's not in gear yet?   ........hahahahaha                                                                 

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  67. Les   That's too many "groaners" at one time.  But speaking "franckly", Don performed downtown (the venue not the song ...Queen street....no Queen tunes though)  in a very small club (100 people probably).  Petula and Don have apparently been friends since Finian's Rainbow days.  So, she dropped by and surprised him and most of the patrons in the club.  It finished late.  I drove home, but no doubt a few must have "slept in the subway" on the way home.   BobB

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  68. Watched 'Syriana' today. Well made in my humble opinion, but a little
    difficult to follow during the first half of the story. Took 20 minutes
    encouraging my two remaining brain cells to cooperate. Some of my
    favorite actors. William Hurt (small interesting part), George Clooney
    (under played well), Matt Damon (same), Christopher Plummer (great bad
    guy). Many locations shots in US, Europe and the middle east. If you
    haven't seen it yet, it's primarily about big oil -- enough said.

    Also watched 4 episodes of the 4th season of '24'. Non stop action!
    This 4th season has some Canadians in the cast besides Keifer
    Sutherland. Alberta Watson for one, but I believe there are more.

    http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0914491/

    "It does me no injury for my neighbor to say there are twenty Gods, or
    no God."

    - Thomas Jefferson

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  69. 4th season of '24' was jammed packed as usual with suspense, drama and
    intrigue. It is amazing how they have put together
    shoot-em-up action, and soap opera like interpersonal relationships.
    I guess the next season begins in January.

    "The most effective kind of education is that a child should play
    amongst lovely things."
    - Plato

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  70. If you would enjoy watching a stampede of the largest of Dinosaurs,
    check out King Kong. The 8th wonder of the world! Also more computer
    generated winter scenes of 1930s Time Square N.Y. Looked real to me.
    Bill

    "There's nothing constant in the world,
    All ebb and flow, and every shape that's born
    Bears in its womb the seeds of change."
    -- Ovid

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  72. Only because I'd seen the original movie (1932), and knew the story
    line, it seemed long in parts for this film lover. I admired the
    special effects. It is amazing what Hollywood can do with computers.
    What's next -- Holographic films?
    Bill

    Faith is the supreme effort of your life -- throwing yourself with
    abandon and total confidence upon God.

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  73. Watching Martin Scorsese's 'The Last Waltz'. Documentary about a rock
    group I never listened to (The Band). Never heard of them until now!!!
    Going to sea has its disadvantages. Anyway I will watch it twice and
    comment on it later, if anyone is the least bit interested.

    The first viewing is amazing! Huge line up of the best of the best in
    rock music at the time.


    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077838/


    "A human being is part of a whole, called by us the Universe, a part
    limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and
    feelings, as something separated from the rest-- a kind of optical
    delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for
    us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few
    persons nearest us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this
    prison by widening our circles of compassion to embrace all living
    creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty."

    - 0000,0000,FFFFAlbert Einstein

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  74. Watching Martin Scorsese's 'The Last Waltz'. Documentary about a rock
    group I never listened to (The Band). Never heard of them until now!!!
    Going to sea has its disadvantages. Anyway I will watch it twice and
    comment on it later, if anyone is the least bit interested.
    The first viewing is amazing! Huge line up of the best of the best in
    rock music at the time.

    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0077838/

    "A human being is part of a whole, called by us the Universe, a part
    limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and
    feelings, as something separated from the rest-- a kind of optical
    delusion of his consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for
    us, restricting us to our personal desires and to affection for a few
    persons nearest us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison
    by widening our circles of compassion to embrace all living creatures
    and the whole of nature in its beauty."
    - Albert Einstein

    ReplyDelete
  75. Geez Bill.....   What are we going to do with you?  Kidding aside, that DVD is a good one.  I have it and haven't watched it for some time.  The personnel who perform on it are awesome.  One of my favourites is Paul Butterfield.  He's in there somewhere on blues "harp", but not enough of him for my taste.  Saw him live at the New Penelope in Montreal in the late 60's.  Never saw the Band (originally the Hawks), they were mostly Toronto when they were in Canada with rompin ronnie Hawkins.    Here's a website with some history of The Band and other good stuff:   http://theband.hiof.no/   Let us know what you think if the film.   They are definitely good players.   BobB

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  76. Bob if you have other recommendations lay them on me.
    Watched the entire film again with the commentary of Robertson and
    Scorsese. Insightful education of the make up of early rock, and
    Canadian artists for the most part to boot!.
    I'm letting it cool for a week or so, then I'll watch it again from the
    beginning. Joni Mitchell is a Canadian treasure.
    Second Avenue.


    "You can gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in
    which you really stop to look fear in the face... You must do the thing
    which you think you cannot do."
    - Eleanor Roosevelt

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  77. Bill   I don't know that I have that many recommendations re music on film..  In the realm of music DVDs I have only a few, but they may not be to the taste of everyone.  There is the John Mayall 70th birthday tribute DVD.  John is a British blues trooper.  He's had a band going in one form or another for years and years.  His Blues Breakers had players like Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page and Mick Taylor.  His 70th birthday celebration shows him with his current band and guest appearances by Clapton and Taylor.  It's all blues, so be forwarned if blues isn't totally your thing.  But it's very good.   Then there's the Concert for George that was staged by Eric Clapton and Ravi Shankar in memory of George Harrison.  Lot's of good Harrison music and lots of guest artists....McCartney, Ringo, Tom Petty.  George's son Dahni is on stage most of the time and his resemlance to his dad 40 years ago is eerie.   I also have Cream's recent reunion at Albert Hall.  It's OK, but for me ...just OK.  Jack Bruce has to sit on a stool most of the time he is playing....mind you I have two bad knees...so not a criticism.  Generally I found the playing a little lack lustre.   Your comment about Joni Mitchell is spot on.  She is a treasure.  She is also a very talented painter.  Great story of how she wrote the song Woodstock which CSNY covered so nicely on Deja Vu and Richie Havens did on his latest album.  She was driving to the Woodstock festival in '69 with Crosby, Stills and Nash.  When the roads became blocked and impassable, the boys thought that it was no place for a girl and dropped Joni off at the hotel.  She was feeling pretty low about not being able to be there with the lads and  turned on the TV, watched coverage of the festival....picked up her guitar and wrote Woodstock.  the rest as they say......is history.   BobB

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  78. Robbie Robertson wrote 'The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down' I had no
    idea.

    http://theband.hiof.no/articles/dixie_viney.html

    Robbie, a Canadian (half indian I believe), from Ontario with an 8th
    grade education. This is has got to be genius. I remember that song
    when it first came out. It grabbed me by the gut, and still does today.
    It had the same affect on me so many years ago as 'John Denver's
    'Country Road'. I think Joan Baez sang 'The Night... Also very good.
    'The Last Waltz' is beautiful documentary film. It should have won
    awards up the gazzu.

    What killed Rick Danko?

    http://theband.hiof.no/band_members/rick.html

    Muddy Waters kicked butt. I see what you mean Jim.
    ,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

    I learned there are music movies, and there are musical movies. I
    definitely prefer music movies. Musicals seem to lose too much when put
    to the screen. Went to see 'The Producers' and wasn't captivated like I
    was hoping for. Some funny dialog. Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick
    are terrific actors otherwise. Anyway I have the original film which I
    like very much. Mel Brooks is so over unfortunately.
    Second Avenue.

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  79. SecondAve this a an amazing link you posted. http://theband.hiof.no/articles/dixie_viney.html  Steve

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  80. !969 'Bob & Carol and Ted & Alice' Robert Culp, Natalie Wood, Diane
    Cannon and Elliot Gould. Funny movie from the past. Poor Natalie. She
    was so beautiful.

    Hip huggers, strange hats, platform shoes, nero jackets, bell bottoms,
    bead/crystal necklaces etc. What else, can't remember.
    We must have been insane I think.
    Second Avenue.

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  82. Thanks Sandy. Because I'm using Mac OS, I have to type the tittle of
    the post on a fresh email to contribute to the group. I cannot click on
    the tittle as PC users do. My 'Movie' tittle already was taken in
    another category so it was sent there.

    I rented 'Napoleon Dynamite'. Unique and funny, but a difficult movie
    to sit through. How do these script writers come up with these odd ball
    ideas for a story? I suppose I liked it. Maybe I experienced mixed
    emotions b/c I identified somehow with the characters, and that is why
    I felt uncomfortable. It was definitely a funny story however.
    Second Avenue.

    "To keep your marriage brimming, / With love in the loving cup, /
    Whenever you're wrong, admit it; / Whenever you're right, shut up."

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