<p>Saw Gran Torino yesterday and really liked it. Would recommend it. Not sure if I want to see Slumdog…even after all the hype. I think that may be one I would get from Netflix and watch at home.</p>
<p>laxmom:
I understand not wanting to see Slumdog after all the hype. When I saw it, I knew virtually nothing about it. However, I will say that the cinematography and sheer visual experience are worth seeing on the large screen. (We don’t have one of those large cool flat panel tvs at home.) </p>
<p>I also feel the concerns regarding the victimization of children is a very important topic highlighted by the film. It is one I confess I didn’t know much about. As difficult as it is to see, I am glad I am now more aware of the plight of those kids. Perhaps the fact that the world will now “see” this may help to crack down on the problem. Information and education is often the way toward progress.</p>
<p>In any event, I loved the movie for its message, its visual capacity, and I HATE game shows :)</p>
<p>We’ve seen Frost/Nixon, Milk, Gran Torino, the Reader and Slumdog over the past few weeks. Saw Slumdog yesterday and loved it–it resonates, and is very moving. A friend had seen it and warned that some of it is hard to watch, which was very true. Two of my sons and their Dad had visited India for 3 week service trips through our high school–each boy in his junior year, once with dh as chaperone. In addition, DH had visited India as a teen and had seen first-hand the cruel physical deformities imposed on kids in India for begging purposes. Very sad that this is a reality in India even today. The movie was sweeping and visual and gut-wrenching, with the game show thread that was absurd but oddly believable…</p>
<p>Loved F/N and Milk–Gran Torino seemed far-fetched and one-dimensional. Clint’s grunting…aye yi yi…</p>
<p>The Reader was also wonderful…Kate Winslet has matured to become a wonderful actress.</p>
<p>Having seen so many “heavy” movies lately, though, (I should be embarrassed to say) I’m looking forward to “He’s Just Not That Into You”…</p>
<p>We went to the theater with the intention of seeing Slumdog, but the evening’s showings were sold out. (!) Saw Gran Torino instead. I highly recommend it. Very, very good.</p>
<p>we’ve been staying in this cold winter and watching DVDs. with the world so stressful right now my husband and I wanted to see a light comedy and a friend of mine recommended this independent comedy called “nanny insanity.” she said that someone she knows wrote the screenplay based on a hilarious true story that actually happened to this woman when she hired a live-in foreign nanny. i never heard of it but it just came out on DVD and we got a copy and i would recommend it. we like light comedies like Little Miss Sunshine and Greek Wedding. i think it will be available this week on netflix. so for those of us who can’t always get to the movies…its fun to discover these smaller films.</p>
<p>For those in the mood for something light - Puppy Bowl is on Animal Planet right now. They are taking a well deserved puppy hydration break. </p>
<p>Has anyone seen “Man on Wire?” I am thinking of that for my Super Bowl substitute tonight.</p>
<p>just saw The Reader…really good movie but now I really need a comedy. Any recommendations?</p>
<p>Milk was fantastic. I was in college in the Bay Area during that time period but had no idea what was going on “across the bridge”. Sean Penn absolutely deserves the oscar (and I’m not a Penn fan). I highly recommend this film.</p>
<p>beachluver - just saw The Reader last night, too. I’ve now seen all the films nominated for Best Picture; I think this is the first time.</p>
<p>Ghosttown just came out on dvd. Very funny. Guy from the English Office show is in a leading role. And Tea Leoni.</p>
<p>Thanks for the recommendation. I’m letting my sister and mother borrow “Nanny Insanity” then after i return it to Netflix I’ll get Ghosttown. I am so tired of all the major studio comedies catering to adolescent boys - but I guess that is who is going to the multiplexes these days</p>
<p>Did anyone see an English movie called Happy-Go-Lucky? Got rave reviews for the lead actress. No longer in theaters, but not yet out on dvd. Sounds like one I’d like.</p>
<p>Saw Rachel Getting Married last weekend. Anybody else seen it? It was really a departure from the norm for Anne Hathaway.</p>
<p>Saw a review on Happy Go Lucky…looked really good. Was at the art houses around here. Plan to see it when it comes out on DVD.
Loved Man on Wire. And Encounters at the End of the World (Werner Herzog - out on DVD)
Favorite movie of 2008 was Visitor. REALLY good.
Still waiting to see Benny Button…but it seems to have left the movie houses!</p>
<p>I recently saw The Visitor via Netflix. I was really surprised how much I loved it, particularly because of the main character who is so buttoned-up.
I thought it was a wonderful character study. It’s a quiet unassuming movie that has alot to say.</p>
<p>Loved The Visitor. Saw it in the Artsy movie theater nearby. Also saw Frozen River there and liked it a lot as well.</p>