<p>The only Baz Luhrmann move I like is “Strictly Ballroom.” “Moulin Rouge” is at the top of my list of all time worst movies. I’m not sure I can bring myself to watch “Gatsby.” I definitely won’t pay to see it.</p>
<p>I finally saw Les Miserables today. The stage musical is my favorite of all time, so I made a pact with myself not to be too critical about the singing. I loved the movie, and thought it gave new meaning to the lyrics that I had not really paid attention to before, even after having listened to the broadway cast recording many, many times. If you ever want a definition of “acting the song,” look no further. I had heard some of the criticism of Russell Crowe, but I didn’t think he was any worse than the others. I’m not saying they were bad, but I thought they were pretty evenly talented. I also thought Enroljas and all the students were very good, and thought Marius was a standout, even though no one has mentioned him (among my facebook friends, lol). And my friend and I both noticed how tiny Eponine’s waist was. 
The stage version features vocalists who have trained for years to sing these parts, and I get goose bumps every time I hear it. The movie did not get give me goose bumps, but it was an excellent telling of the dramatic story. Oh, and I cried…a lot…but I knew I would.</p>
<p>On the recommendations of SlitheyTove and Lergnom way back in this thread, we watched “The Queen of Versailles” last night. Great documentary about people you wouldn’t believe in a feature film. And for the sake of the 8 children involved, I’d like to think that aspects are exaggerated. It was 100 minutes of what the hell. </p>
<p>Basically, it’s about a wealthy time-share developer and his wife, living in a 26,000 square foot home with a staff of 19, 7 children, a niece, and many unhousebroken animals, exotic and otherwise. They’re building a 90,000 square foot home in 2008, the largest private residence in America, when the economy tanks and the time-share business goes bust. It’s completely fascinating - lots of scenes about the business, although the scenes at home with the family are the most engrossing. Also interesting: the complete tackiness of both houses. Whatever most people would do with a billion dollars, it probably wouldn’t be what this couple did.</p>
<p>The husband is completely loathsome. The wife is more sympathetic, except for the horrifying passive neglect of her kids and animals.</p>
<p>I saw Les Mis on Christmas Day and enjoyed it very much, particularly the fact that Colm Wilkinson (the original stage Jean Valjean) played the bishop. My plan was that D & I would see Les Mis on Christmas and then see Parental Guidance the next day. Snow and family obligations moved Parental Guidance off the radar, but I saw it this afternoon with 2 friends. It was excellent for a film that is just trying to be a feel good family comedy. I laughed until I cried (hilarious scene with Billy Crystal & youngest grandson in a public bathroom) and I cried as well over some of the tender moments. I love Billy Crystal and Bette Midler and they did not disappoint.</p>
<p>Just saw “Silver Linings Playbook” based on all the critic’s reviews that were outstanding. I’m not sure what the fuss was about. The acting is very very good. But there were aspects of the story that were disturbing. Some of the “funny” lines were being spoken by a mentally ill person, it just felt odd to be laughing. And I was waiting for some sort of feel-good or redeeming moment at times.</p>
<p>I didn’t hate it, I just didn’t think it was the movie of the year. Interested in opposing opinions!</p>
<p>Hmmm was thinking of seeing SLP this afternoon…maybe not.</p>
<p>Has anyone see Hyde Park on Hudson? It looks like something DH and I would enjoy but didn’t get good reviews.</p>
<p>Yesterday we saw Django…wow. DH said he didn’t expect the “campy” parts. I thought the campiness kind of took the edge off all the shootings. the acting was great. We went to the morning matinee. It was worth the $5 dollar ticket.</p>
<p>I also saw Silver Linings playbook and was underwhelmed. The fact there were a few funny moments did not make it a comedy and like surfcity I also found elements disturbing. Planning to see Parental Guidance this afternoon on the basis of 2vu’s recommendation.</p>
<p>Just saw Promised Land. I absolutely adore anything that Frances McDormand is in, so of course I enjoyed the movie.</p>
<p>Be prepared - there’s really no agenda identified in this movie (read between the lines ::dripping with sarcasm::). Not the best movie I’ve seen recently, but am glad I saw it on the big screen.</p>
<p>I’m gonna be a SLP contrarian here. Loved it, and don’t miss out based on a few reviews on CC.</p>
<p>Saw Hyde Park on Hudson Saturday. Did not enjoy Bill Murray as FDR at all. Thought the royals (King and Queen of England) were well done, funny, and the best part of the movie.</p>
<p>Fell asleep on NYE in Hyde Park on the Hudson…we found it very, very slow…</p>
<p>Saw The Impossible…intense, intense, intense…no idea how they filmed that movie; it didn’t look like CGI (interested side note; the entire movie was produced by a team in Spain…not US made)…EXCELLENT acting…</p>
<p>Thought Jennifer Lawrence was terrific in SLP…</p>
<p>Loved Chris Waltz in Django but could have left after 2 hours (before most of the massacre; spoiler alert lol)</p>
<p>I saw The Impossible on Saturday afternoon. Harrowing. The kids were wonderful. Too bad my 19 year old S had to keep telling me, “This movie is SO Eurocentric.” Well, yeah, it was. Does that mean it shouldn’t have been made or we shouldn’t have gone to see it?</p>
<p>I saw Promised Land, too, also because of Frances McDormand, whom I’ve enjoyed since Fargo. Nice film, nothing extraordinary, wonderful scenery.</p>
<p>Well, we skipped Silver Linings Playbook and Hyde Park on Hudson yesterday and saw The Impossible. DH and I thought it was very good. We were glad we chose it. It was the most annoying movie going expereience we’va had lately though. Two senior citizen ladies sitting on our row talked and chuckled (not a funny movie) and actually made loud exclamations like “Oh,Nooo” throughout the entire movie…ugh.</p>
<p>S2 loved Django. Best since Pulp Fiction according to him. He also saw Zero Dark Thirty, more because he thinks people are going to accept it as the truth and he wants to be informed of the legend. He thought it was hysterically funny that the Pakistanis in the movie all speak colloquial Arabic while the Arabs all spoke a formal version of Arabic that no one would use for ordinary conversation. Made the whole movie rather distracting and extra unbelievable for him. Pretty stupid of the movie makers to assume no one speaks Arabic who will be watching the movie.</p>
<p>Silver Lining Playbook was pleasant but conventional, not sure what the hoopla is all about either. I was totally distracted by the whole bookie/football betting storyline since I can’t seem to follow all the betting terminology, or football fanaticism for that matter, not being a sports fan! </p>
<p>Mathmom - For years I cannot watch any movie about Vietnam war since the extras playing Vietnamese usually speak some other languages such as Thai, Tagalog or Chinese. I think it’s hard for the movie makers to find enough actors of specific ethnicity to play the parts. It’s good enough for the majority of movie goers though so the few of us who know the languages well will have to get over it. I also rather watch a movie with subtitles than hearing a dubbed version for the same reason.</p>
<p>I thought Les Mis was emotionally damaging, and then I saw The Impossible. I was LITERALLY in tears for the entire movie.</p>
<p>*I’m totally fine with people believing different things about 9/11, but I absolutely hate how they feel the need to make the comment about how fake the official story is. Just shut up, honestly.</p>
<p>I’ve been on a DVD binge so far this month and have caught up with some recent films I didn’t see in theatres. </p>
<p>“Bernie” - a quirky, very funny Richard Linklater film with great performances from the entire cast, especially Jack Black in the lead. Matthew McConaughey was also excellent in the kind of performance that made us go, “That’s Matthew McConaughey?” And Shirley Maclaine, great as usual. Loved the interview sequences with actual townspeople where this true story took place.</p>
<p>“Premium Rush” - I liked this - not a major film by any means, but stylishly directed, with much less violence and a lower body count (2) than your typical actioner. Not a bad afternoon’s entertainment, and I have liked Joseph Gordon-Levitt in everything since “3rd Rock.” </p>
<p>“Looper” - good script, an obviously talented director (in visual terms and pacing, for sure), and the same Joseph Gordon-Levitt I’ve always liked. Emily Blunt was GREAT as an American caretaker for a kid with disturbing powers. But disturbing is right. The gun violence is horrifying, and who can say if it’s necessary to tell the story? It’s not a terribly important story, so I don’t know. It left me with two questions. If you have to make Joseph Gordon Levitt a plausible younger version of Bruce Willis, why not try to make Bruce look like Joe instead of the other way around? And I don’t think this is a spoiler - if the bad guys want to get rid of the loopers by having them looped, why do the loopers have to loop themselves? Wouldn’t it have been easier just to have them offed by a different guy? Though there would go the movie, I guess.</p>
<p>For a few minutes I thought Looper deserved a best screenplay nom but then I started thinking about all the plot holes and decided against it. But I also liked Blunt, a lot.</p>
<p>Thanks frazzled1, I can rent Premium rush from our cable company so I think I will tonite.</p>