Who: Bill & Melanie, and Melanie's co-worker/friend Liesl
What: Titanic-- The RiffTrax version
Where: On DVD, with RiffTrax commentary via Liesl's computer
Why: Who thought "Titanic" could be funny?
It's a sure bet most everyone (including myself and Melanie) has seen Titanic, the story of Jack and Rose-- he's poor and happy, she's rich and unhappy. They fall in love aboard the ill-fated Titanic. The ship hits an iceberg and it sinks. Jack dies. Rose lives. A depressing movie. But a MAJOR hit that brought Director/Producer/Co-Writer/Co-Editor James Cameron 11 Academy Awards, including Best Picture for 1997.
RiffTrax has its basis in the Mystery Science Theater 3000 series. RiffTrax's head commentator Michael J. Nelson was a host and writer on that show. With RiffTrax, you can download audio commentaries for selected movies from their website (for a fee) to your computer, and play them in sync with the movie. Such is the case with the recent addition with Titanic to their play list. Nelson, along with MST3K veterans Kevin Murphy and Bill Corbett, offer their "riffs" on everything from the characters (especially Jack, Rose and her snobbish fiance Caledon Nathan Hockley) to implausible situations, the ship's ultimate tragic fate, and the music as it concludes with an outrageously off-key rendition of Celine Dion's "My Heart Will Go On". We finished the movie full of tears-- from laughter. Hard to believe this could be done from such a melancholy movie such as Titanic, but somehow RiffTrax pulled it off. Some of the comments do fall flat but more often than not, they're on target.
Movie fans looking for a different "perspective" than the usual cast and crew commentary might want to check out RiffTrax.com.
Showing posts with label Historical. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Historical. Show all posts
Saturday, December 5, 2009
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Williamsburg: The Story of a Patriot
Who:Bill & Melanie
What:Williamsburg: The Story of a Patriot
Where:Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center
Why: Colonial Williamsburg was one of our road trip stops.
Melanie and I recently returned from a two week road trip up and down the east coast. One of our visits was to Colonial Williamsburg where we spent a leisurely afternoon walking through the restored city, which served as Virginia's capital between 1699 and 1780. Before doing so, we stopped at the visitor center. In their large theater, an orientation film has been shown several times a day continuously since 1957. Thus, Williamsburg: The Story of a Patriot is the longest running motion picture in history.
The film is a dramatization of events in Williamsburg leading up to the time of American Independence. The story is told from the viewpoint of a fictional man named John Fry (played by Jack Lord), who does interact with real individuals such as Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, George Washington and others. For what is basically a introduction to Colonial Williamsburg, the movie boasts some outstanding production values starting with being filmed in and around the historical area itself. Co-produced with Paramount Pictures, the 40 minute presentation also includes full color wide-screen Vista Vision and an early use of stereo surround sound-- all very high tech for the 1950's and thanks to recent complete restoration efforts, holds up great for continued showings in the 21st century. Behind the scenes, director George Seaton won an Oscar for his work directing the original Miracle on 34th Street, and composer Bernard Herrmann worked with Alfred Hitchcock on numerous films including most famously Psycho. In front of the camera, Williamsburg: The Story of a Patriot marks the first starring role for Jack Lord. In 1968, he would begin a 12-year run as detective Steve McGarrett in Hawaii Five-O.
Currently, the only ways to see this movie is by visiting the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center or to purchase the DVD from the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.
What:Williamsburg: The Story of a Patriot
Where:Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center
Why: Colonial Williamsburg was one of our road trip stops.
Melanie and I recently returned from a two week road trip up and down the east coast. One of our visits was to Colonial Williamsburg where we spent a leisurely afternoon walking through the restored city, which served as Virginia's capital between 1699 and 1780. Before doing so, we stopped at the visitor center. In their large theater, an orientation film has been shown several times a day continuously since 1957. Thus, Williamsburg: The Story of a Patriot is the longest running motion picture in history.
The film is a dramatization of events in Williamsburg leading up to the time of American Independence. The story is told from the viewpoint of a fictional man named John Fry (played by Jack Lord), who does interact with real individuals such as Thomas Jefferson, Patrick Henry, George Washington and others. For what is basically a introduction to Colonial Williamsburg, the movie boasts some outstanding production values starting with being filmed in and around the historical area itself. Co-produced with Paramount Pictures, the 40 minute presentation also includes full color wide-screen Vista Vision and an early use of stereo surround sound-- all very high tech for the 1950's and thanks to recent complete restoration efforts, holds up great for continued showings in the 21st century. Behind the scenes, director George Seaton won an Oscar for his work directing the original Miracle on 34th Street, and composer Bernard Herrmann worked with Alfred Hitchcock on numerous films including most famously Psycho. In front of the camera, Williamsburg: The Story of a Patriot marks the first starring role for Jack Lord. In 1968, he would begin a 12-year run as detective Steve McGarrett in Hawaii Five-O.
Currently, the only ways to see this movie is by visiting the Colonial Williamsburg Visitor Center or to purchase the DVD from the Colonial Williamsburg Foundation.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Changeling
Who: Liz
What: Changeling
Where: my living room
Why: I heard it was good
Angelina Jolie played mom Christine Collins, mom of Walter Collins. She is a supervisor at a telephone company in 1928 Pasadena CA. She has been called in to work and so she has to go, leaving Walter, a 9 year old, home alone for the day. When she gets home, Walter is gone, vanished. This movie is about her search for Walter. I thought it was a little slow going, but then, boy did it get better.
This is 1928 and I don’t know my history, but according to the movie, Los Angeles was filled with rogue cops and was really a corrupt place to live. Christine reports her child missing as soon as she gets home, but they tell her she has to wait 24 hours. So she does and then reports him missing. Time goes by and he is not found, then about 5 months later, the police claim to have found Walter. So she goes to the train station to pick him up and it’s not him, but the police insist it is and tell her to take him! Unbelievable! She knows it’s not her son and can get proof from the dentist, the neighbors, the teachers, and some others, but the police still don’t believe her and won’t continue to look for Walter. Case closed.
In the meantime, a decent cop is trying to find a young boy to deport back to Canada from a ranch and the boy ends up telling a really grisly story. There is also a minister who is trying to tell people about the corupt politicians and cops and he comes to help Christine.
What happens next is really scary to me and I have a hard time believing that this was the US and that people could be treated the way that Christine was treated. You'll have to watch the movie to see what happens!
I wouldn’t say this was a really enjoyable movie, but it kept me intrigued and wanting to root for Christine to get through this time in her life. I would say that this movie is not for everyone, its definitely not a “feel good” movie, but I liked it.
What: Changeling
Where: my living room
Why: I heard it was good
Angelina Jolie played mom Christine Collins, mom of Walter Collins. She is a supervisor at a telephone company in 1928 Pasadena CA. She has been called in to work and so she has to go, leaving Walter, a 9 year old, home alone for the day. When she gets home, Walter is gone, vanished. This movie is about her search for Walter. I thought it was a little slow going, but then, boy did it get better.
This is 1928 and I don’t know my history, but according to the movie, Los Angeles was filled with rogue cops and was really a corrupt place to live. Christine reports her child missing as soon as she gets home, but they tell her she has to wait 24 hours. So she does and then reports him missing. Time goes by and he is not found, then about 5 months later, the police claim to have found Walter. So she goes to the train station to pick him up and it’s not him, but the police insist it is and tell her to take him! Unbelievable! She knows it’s not her son and can get proof from the dentist, the neighbors, the teachers, and some others, but the police still don’t believe her and won’t continue to look for Walter. Case closed.
In the meantime, a decent cop is trying to find a young boy to deport back to Canada from a ranch and the boy ends up telling a really grisly story. There is also a minister who is trying to tell people about the corupt politicians and cops and he comes to help Christine.
What happens next is really scary to me and I have a hard time believing that this was the US and that people could be treated the way that Christine was treated. You'll have to watch the movie to see what happens!
I wouldn’t say this was a really enjoyable movie, but it kept me intrigued and wanting to root for Christine to get through this time in her life. I would say that this movie is not for everyone, its definitely not a “feel good” movie, but I liked it.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
The Reader
Who: Liz
What: The Reader
Where: my living room
Why: I heard it was a good movie
This was a fabulous movie. I believe Kate Winslet won the Oscar for this role. She played Hanna, and Ralph Fiennes played Michael. Basically, they were the only real characters in the movie. In the beginning of the movie it is 1958 and Michael gets sick in an alleyway and Hanna helps him out, it seems he has scarlet fever, so he goes to bed for three months. Michael comes searching for her to say Thank you after the 3 months and she seduces him. Mind you, at this stage of the game, Michael is only 15 years old and Hanna is about 35. They have this affair, yet she is very cold and he falls in love with her. He lets his life be run by Hanna. She wants him to read books to her and he does. Its very sweet. After a little while, of course an affair like this ends.
The movie jumps 8 years and by this time Michael is in law school and Hanna is on trial for being a guard in Auschwitz….who knew? There wasn’t an indication in the beginning of the film. I don’t want to give away the rest of the movie, I just want to note that Kate Winslet definitely deserved the Oscar for this role. She played Hanna with such fervor. This woman ,whose life just got away from her and didn’t really turn out the way she wanted. Ralph Fienne’s character’s life is also consumed by her. This movie showed how one event can change someone’s life forever. Sometimes we have to let things go and just can’t. It was a great movie. Be aware there is a definitely adult theme in this film, as well as nudity.
What: The Reader
Where: my living room
Why: I heard it was a good movie
This was a fabulous movie. I believe Kate Winslet won the Oscar for this role. She played Hanna, and Ralph Fiennes played Michael. Basically, they were the only real characters in the movie. In the beginning of the movie it is 1958 and Michael gets sick in an alleyway and Hanna helps him out, it seems he has scarlet fever, so he goes to bed for three months. Michael comes searching for her to say Thank you after the 3 months and she seduces him. Mind you, at this stage of the game, Michael is only 15 years old and Hanna is about 35. They have this affair, yet she is very cold and he falls in love with her. He lets his life be run by Hanna. She wants him to read books to her and he does. Its very sweet. After a little while, of course an affair like this ends.
The movie jumps 8 years and by this time Michael is in law school and Hanna is on trial for being a guard in Auschwitz….who knew? There wasn’t an indication in the beginning of the film. I don’t want to give away the rest of the movie, I just want to note that Kate Winslet definitely deserved the Oscar for this role. She played Hanna with such fervor. This woman ,whose life just got away from her and didn’t really turn out the way she wanted. Ralph Fienne’s character’s life is also consumed by her. This movie showed how one event can change someone’s life forever. Sometimes we have to let things go and just can’t. It was a great movie. Be aware there is a definitely adult theme in this film, as well as nudity.
Sunday, February 15, 2009
The Other Boleyn Girl
Who: Lola
What: The Other Boleyn Girl
Where: 60" of Blu-Ray in my family room
Why: It was cheap on the Blockbuster used shelf
So...my first attempt at Yakking!!!
This movie is the story of Anne Boleyn, the second wife of Henry VIII. It stars Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johannsen and Eric Bana. The movie is based on a book by Phillipa Gregory. A book that Ms. Gregory says to be fact, but is actually a fictionalized account of the rise and fall of Boleyn.
I am not one of those people who read a book, and immediately discount the movie version. I am, however, a person who nitpicks when a movie is incredibly different from the book. There are not enough nits in the world for me to pick to account for the differences from print to screen in this movie, but I digress, I am here to talk about the movie.
This is the story of Anne Boleyn and her sister Mary. The Boleyns are a power hungry bunch, and the daughters are used to gain "favor" with King Henry. They become King H8's Holly and Kendra I guess. Henry wants a son to be his heir, and his wife, Catherine of Aragon cannot give him one. Mary becomes Henry's mistress and mother of a son who will never be king. Anne uses her feminine ways to get Henry to break from the Catholic Church, divorce Catherine and marry her. She really loses her head over this guy...
For the women, this movie does not have enough "romance". For the men, nothing blows up. The movie moves along at a quirky pace. The gay men are neutered. The straight men are neutered.
I'd rent it if you had nothing else to add to your Netflix queue. And didn't want to be bothered with reading the book. And aren't a stickler for historic accuracy.
Some Wierd Trivia though...
What: The Other Boleyn Girl
Where: 60" of Blu-Ray in my family room
Why: It was cheap on the Blockbuster used shelf
So...my first attempt at Yakking!!!
This movie is the story of Anne Boleyn, the second wife of Henry VIII. It stars Natalie Portman, Scarlett Johannsen and Eric Bana. The movie is based on a book by Phillipa Gregory. A book that Ms. Gregory says to be fact, but is actually a fictionalized account of the rise and fall of Boleyn.
I am not one of those people who read a book, and immediately discount the movie version. I am, however, a person who nitpicks when a movie is incredibly different from the book. There are not enough nits in the world for me to pick to account for the differences from print to screen in this movie, but I digress, I am here to talk about the movie.
This is the story of Anne Boleyn and her sister Mary. The Boleyns are a power hungry bunch, and the daughters are used to gain "favor" with King Henry. They become King H8's Holly and Kendra I guess. Henry wants a son to be his heir, and his wife, Catherine of Aragon cannot give him one. Mary becomes Henry's mistress and mother of a son who will never be king. Anne uses her feminine ways to get Henry to break from the Catholic Church, divorce Catherine and marry her. She really loses her head over this guy...
For the women, this movie does not have enough "romance". For the men, nothing blows up. The movie moves along at a quirky pace. The gay men are neutered. The straight men are neutered.
I'd rent it if you had nothing else to add to your Netflix queue. And didn't want to be bothered with reading the book. And aren't a stickler for historic accuracy.
Some Wierd Trivia though...
- The neckalce that Natalie Portman wears in the movie (a B with pearl teardrops) is the same one Ugly Betty wears on that show.
- At one point in the movie, Natalie Portman's Anne utters the Star Wars Line "you're my only hope" it made me chuckle.
Saturday, January 24, 2009
Zodiac
Who: Bill
What: Zodiac
Where: The Movie Channel-- offered free during January
Why: Portions of the movie were filmed near my hometown.
During the late 1960’s-early 1970’s, there were a series of unsolved murders in the San Francisco Bay Area. The suspect identified himself as the “Zodiac” through a number of taunting letters mailed to local police and area newspapers. To date, the case technically remains unsolved, although there is strong evidence of who was the actual culprit.
Zodiac follows the intense investigation by the police and newspaper reporters, focusing primarily on San Francisco Chronicle cartoonist Robert Graysmith (Jake Gyllenhaal), who takes an interest in the case after deciphering some of the cryptic codes in the killer‘s letters. Also covering the story is Chronicle writer Paul Avery (Robert Downey, Jr.). Early scenes alternate between the reporters and the investigators that include San Francisco police detectives Dave Toschi (Mark Ruffalo) and Bill Armstrong (Anthony Edwards), Vallejo Police Officer Jack Mulanax (Elias Koteas) and Napa County Sheriff’s Officer Ken Narlow (Donal Logue). The latter half of the movie follows Graysmith’s near obsession with the “Zodiac” as he writes a book on the case, in which he concludes the killer was a man named Arthur Leigh Allen (played in the movie by John Carroll Lynch). Allen was identified as a suspect and interviewed by detectives in 1971, but despite strong circumstantial evidence, there was never enough physical evidence to charge him with the "Zodiac" crimes. Allen died in 1992.
At almost three hours, Zodiac covers a lot of detail and many years (1969 to 1991), but holds your attention. The period detail is impressive thanks to excellent digital photography and realistic computer-generated effects shots. There is some blood seen when three of the actual Zodiac murders are depicted early in the film, but these are more suspenseful than horribly graphic (it still may disturb some viewers). One way to approach the movie is by seeing it as an expanded R-rated version of Law and Order. So if you have the time and enjoy a good (true) mystery, Zodiac is highly recommended.
What: Zodiac
Where: The Movie Channel-- offered free during January
Why: Portions of the movie were filmed near my hometown.
During the late 1960’s-early 1970’s, there were a series of unsolved murders in the San Francisco Bay Area. The suspect identified himself as the “Zodiac” through a number of taunting letters mailed to local police and area newspapers. To date, the case technically remains unsolved, although there is strong evidence of who was the actual culprit.
Zodiac follows the intense investigation by the police and newspaper reporters, focusing primarily on San Francisco Chronicle cartoonist Robert Graysmith (Jake Gyllenhaal), who takes an interest in the case after deciphering some of the cryptic codes in the killer‘s letters. Also covering the story is Chronicle writer Paul Avery (Robert Downey, Jr.). Early scenes alternate between the reporters and the investigators that include San Francisco police detectives Dave Toschi (Mark Ruffalo) and Bill Armstrong (Anthony Edwards), Vallejo Police Officer Jack Mulanax (Elias Koteas) and Napa County Sheriff’s Officer Ken Narlow (Donal Logue). The latter half of the movie follows Graysmith’s near obsession with the “Zodiac” as he writes a book on the case, in which he concludes the killer was a man named Arthur Leigh Allen (played in the movie by John Carroll Lynch). Allen was identified as a suspect and interviewed by detectives in 1971, but despite strong circumstantial evidence, there was never enough physical evidence to charge him with the "Zodiac" crimes. Allen died in 1992.
At almost three hours, Zodiac covers a lot of detail and many years (1969 to 1991), but holds your attention. The period detail is impressive thanks to excellent digital photography and realistic computer-generated effects shots. There is some blood seen when three of the actual Zodiac murders are depicted early in the film, but these are more suspenseful than horribly graphic (it still may disturb some viewers). One way to approach the movie is by seeing it as an expanded R-rated version of Law and Order. So if you have the time and enjoy a good (true) mystery, Zodiac is highly recommended.
Friday, January 16, 2009
Valkyrie
Who: Jay and Liz
What: Valkyrie
Where: AMC Pleasure Island
Why: wanted to enjoy an afternoon movie
So we saw Valkyrie today. I really wanted to see “Benjamin Button” but it was showing too early to work out for us today. Jay suggested Valkyrie and I agreed. Well, silly me. I knew that it was historical, but I didn’t realize that it would be like I was back in history class. It was one loooong history lesson.
Tom Cruise played Colonel Staufenberg, a German colonel who wanted Hitler dead. The whole movie was how he tried to get that accomplished and the consequences of his actions, after he thinks the task has been completed. I, of course, am not a big history buff, so I had no idea that some German’s tried to kill Hitler while he was in power. According to the movie, some 15 attempts had been made to assassinate Hitler. The notes said that this was the last attempt prior to Hitler’s death. Jay knows his history and said Hitler fell out of power quickly because Staufenberger’s bomb killed a number of generals and this caused a lot of problems for Hitler.
The music was good and the woman who played Staufenberg’s wife was beautiful. I loved the way they wore their hair back in the 40’s. Um, Tom Cruise did a great job, too, even though this was really not my type of film. I didn’t mind that everyone spoke English without an accent, actually I like it better, I mean who can understand those crazy accents anyway? I really liked that Eddie Izzard was in the movie too, I enjoy him. It really was a good movie, if you like historical movies.
What: Valkyrie
Where: AMC Pleasure Island
Why: wanted to enjoy an afternoon movie
So we saw Valkyrie today. I really wanted to see “Benjamin Button” but it was showing too early to work out for us today. Jay suggested Valkyrie and I agreed. Well, silly me. I knew that it was historical, but I didn’t realize that it would be like I was back in history class. It was one loooong history lesson.
Tom Cruise played Colonel Staufenberg, a German colonel who wanted Hitler dead. The whole movie was how he tried to get that accomplished and the consequences of his actions, after he thinks the task has been completed. I, of course, am not a big history buff, so I had no idea that some German’s tried to kill Hitler while he was in power. According to the movie, some 15 attempts had been made to assassinate Hitler. The notes said that this was the last attempt prior to Hitler’s death. Jay knows his history and said Hitler fell out of power quickly because Staufenberger’s bomb killed a number of generals and this caused a lot of problems for Hitler.
The music was good and the woman who played Staufenberg’s wife was beautiful. I loved the way they wore their hair back in the 40’s. Um, Tom Cruise did a great job, too, even though this was really not my type of film. I didn’t mind that everyone spoke English without an accent, actually I like it better, I mean who can understand those crazy accents anyway? I really liked that Eddie Izzard was in the movie too, I enjoy him. It really was a good movie, if you like historical movies.
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