O.Chat > Popcorn and a Movie
Last weekend I saw The September Issue, and have subsequently been thinking about how much I love Grace Coddington all week. Perhaps it will be out on DVD by winter?
Mrs. T
Mrs. T,
The September Issue is on my list for this weekend! I don't think I could wait until the winter. What did you think of "The Devil Wears Prada"?
One of the funniest movies that I enjoy watching is "Best In Show". It revolves around a group of dog owners who enter their pets in a kennel club show. The movie is written by Christopher Guest, and features an ensemble of actors that include Eugene Levy, Catherine O'Hara, and a number of character actors who are always seen in movies and TV shows.
Bevi
Oh good! Can't wait to hear what you think. I loved "The Devil Wears Prada" too. Don't want to spoil too much. Let me know when you see "The September Issue" and we can discuss!
Mrs. T
Hi Bevi,
I remember long winters -- having grown up in Minnesota. I sympathize.
My husband always scans our library branch for foreign films. He brings home whatever strikes his fancy, and we've enjoyed some wonderfully quirky films.
Last weekend we laughed our way through "Elling," a Norwegian film nominated for Best Foreign Film in 2001. It was a gentle, delightful hoot. The ending was a little too cute, but it was a delight nonetheless.
Willow
Bevi,
I've remembered some of the movies I have loved. The are:
Babette's Feast, Danish, 1987, 100% on Rottentomatoes.com
Mrs. Brown, 1997, Judi Dench, 95% on Rottentomatoes
Shakespeare In Love, 1998, Gwenyth Paltrow, Joseph Feinnes (he is sooooo fine!), 1998, 93 % on Rotten tomatoes
Much Ado About Nothing, 1993, Kenneth Branaugh and Emma Thompson, 90% on RT
The Hours, 2002, Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, Julianne Moore, 80% on RT. This is a rather dark film, but I loved how it allowed me inside the characters to feel their feelings, and know their thoughts. Despite it's darkness, I really, really loved this movie. The acting is brilliant. You might want to read a synopsis before deciding to see this, if you haven't already.
If you think you could like opera, Zefferelli's movie of LaTraviata is beautiful, and very moving. (But like all opera's, there's a death at the end.)
Willow
Sorry for the repeated posts. I forgot two I loved.
Casablanca is probably the most perfect movie ever made, and I never tire of seeing it.
Amistad, 1997, The gorgeous, incredibly sensitive Djimon Hounsou, Morgan Freeman, Anthony Hopkins, Matthew McConaughey, brilliant acting, great story. 79% on RT
Willow
Driving Miss Daisy, for which Morgan Freeman should have won the oscar.
Brokeback Mountain
84 Charing Cross Road, a brilliant, delightful movie based on the memoir of Helene Hanff, about her literary relationship with a man she writes to in England. 83% on RT. Anne Bancroft and Anthony Hopkins
The Remains of the Day
Howard's End
Gone with the Wind
and other old classics with your favorites:
Ingrid Bergman
Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers
Willow
Bevi,
You have provided me with a wonderful trip down memory lane, and with some new ideas for videos to rent. I'm going to unload my latest list, and then get back to my life. I hope that you might find a few among these suggestions to keep you warm and happy on cold Saturday nights.
A Room with a View
My Dinner with Andre
Tender Mercies
Adaptation
Lost in Translation
Moonstruck 1987
My Fair Lady 1964
The Turning Point 1977
Under the Tuscan Sun, Diane Lane 2003
Unfaithful, 2002, Diane Lane's incredible introduction to the world in this subtly, tenderly photographed movie of her torrid affair. I loved this movie. There is a price to be paid for the unfaithfulness in the end. It's the scenes of her face as she remembers and thinks about her time with her lover which are incredible. Her lover is great to look at, too.
Fried Green Tomatoes, 1991
The English Patient, 1996
Three Colors Trilogy: Blue, White, Red
Chocolat, 2000, Juliette Binoche (who I love), Judi Dench, Johnny Depp. Not the greatest film, but a pleasant diversion. 63% on RT.
The Fabulous Baker Boys, 1989. I loved this movie very much.
Amadeus
Annie Hall (always worth a re-view)
Body Heat, 1981, fabulous film noir, Kathleen Turner (so hot!) and William Hurt
Good Will Hunting
Le Cage au Folles , 1978, gets 100% on RT, and is much better than the American remake, The Birdcage.
Women in Love, 1970 Glenda Jackson, Alan Bates, based on a D.H. Lawrence novel.
Willow
See, now I can't stop.
If you have not seen these two, you must treat yourself.
Before Sunrise, 1995, Eathan Hawke & Julie Delpy, 100% on RT
Before Sunset, 2004, Eathan Hawke & Julie Delpy, 94% of RT
Willow
Willow,
Did you happen to watch this movie called Georgia O'Keefe? It came on Lifetime today. I know you are really into art, so it looked like a movie you might like. It was very interesting to see the life she lived. Her and her husband had a crazy intense love. It's funny, that for such a strong and modern woman of her time, her one great weakness was a man. Doesn't it always seem like that is the case?
Nyon
Mr. Fanatic and I saw The September Issue this afternoon, and we both LOVED it. Fascinating. Utterly gorgeous.
I've always been a huge Grace Coddington fan, but watching her in action really takes what she does to an entirely different level. She is really a genius. I wanted a long, chatty lunch with her.
And, in an entirely different way, is Anna Wintour's genius on show. Not warm and fuzzy, as is Coddington - but she's focussed, driven, unsentimental and very well dressed and bejeweled. (Though my husband was sweet to point out that my haircut and highlights were better - and he's right.) And not the person you want to go to lunch with. But she would never ask.
Like MrsT I have much to share, but don't want to spoil any of it for others. I will say that parts of The Devil Wears Prada pretty much nailed both Wintour's icy demeanor (she's actually a little little bit warmer at times than Meryl Streep played her) and also the atmosphere of the Vogue offices. Wintour's real office is remarkably like the one in the movie. There is a Stanley Tucci character in the real Vogue world - but the "clackers" in the real world are nowhere near as glamorous or well dressed as those in the movie.
So: go see the movie and let's dish!
operafanatic
Bevi, is this the thread that you were talking about when you said you'd be interested in hearing my choices? I have a sad confession to make -- I probably see no more than five movies a year, and sometimes I don't even see that many. I don't know why that is; I usually enjoy myself when I'm there, but I don't even seem to get interested enough to actually go. I used to belong to Netflix until I realized I was holding on to movies for weeks and then sending them back unwatched.
I used to see more, though, and I've seen a handful of the movies mentioned here, like Best in Show. I remember liking it quite a bit.
Christina
Nyon,
I didn't know about the Georgia O'Keefe movie. Do you know if it will repeat? I was aware that she had a stormy relationship with Steiglitz, a very important photographer, and that she moved to New Mexico when she left him, I believe. I don't know the details.
I've seen The Devil Wears Prada, and enjoyed it. I think Meryl Streep relished playing this role, and I loved watching her. I was pleased that Anne Hathaway's character was able to walk away from it in the end. Although I'm not aware of the real-world characters represented in the movie, I'm looking forward to being educated by any discussion that occurs here.
Willow
Wow Willow, you picked many of my favorites! I LOVE Before Sunrise and Before Sunset. The scene where Julie is dancing to Nina Simone is priceless!
And The Trois Colours trilogy is exceptional. Thanks for mentioning - I'll rent those.
I could not watch Adaptation - my son really wanted me to see it, but I could not get through it.
Christina - I did mean this thread - if you liked Best in Show, you might like some of Christopher Guest's other movies. He always uses the same acting ensemble.
A movie I just adore is Big Night, with Stanley Tucci and Isabella Rossellini. It is a foodie movie and has a great sound track.
September Issue is not here yet, but when it comes, I am making a beeline for the movie. It sounds like the kind of dish I just l love.
Bevi
Willow,
It doesn't look like it will repeat today, but I will keep a look out since I know you don't watch that much tv.
Bevi,
movies that I never tire of waching are:
Pretty Woman
Dirty Dancing
How Stella Got Her Groove Back
Steel Magnolias
Love and Basetball
Love Jones
movies that I love but have to be in a mood to watch:
Imitation of life w/Lana Turner
The Color Purple
I also like:
Along came a spider
Double Jeopardy
Angel Eyes
The Secret Life of Bees
Obssessed
I like the musical or music based movies like:
Dreamgirls
Momma Mia
The Five Heartbeats
I like a lot of cutsie lovey dovey movies and I have more, but I won't list them all. What type of movies do you navigate towards?
Nyon
ooooh!! a movie that I am embarrassed to say I love is The Bridges of Madison County. Everyone says it is so boring, but I like it.
Nyon
Nyon,
I love the Bridges of Madison County; in fact, I'll watch any movie with either Meryl Streep or Clint Eastwood.
OMG - I love the Five Heartbeats. Have you ever slow-moed the ending credits? They're great - Robert Townsend gives credit to all his peeps. I used to love The Dells, a group who wrote the song Stay (In My Corner), which comes up in the sound track. The acting is so classy, and the soundtrack is one of my favorites. "Stay" used to be the last dance of the evening at the Saylors Lake House, where all the waitresses and other help used to go after a hard day's Saturday at our parents' resort, so, yes, Dirty Dancing really resonates with me. That was a snapshot of my life as a hotel worker for many years as a kid and teenager. "Nobody puts Baby in a corner". Only I was on the bump and grind end of the operation - not a guest!
Love and Basketball is another favorite of mine. Again, a great soundtrack. I think it also gives a pretty realistic look at division 1 sports and the commitment players need to have. Omar Epps' mother in the film was one of the main characters in the soap All My Children some 25 years ago. She is a great actress, I think.
Double Jeopardy is also good, and I just saw The Secret Life of Bees for the first time a few days ago. I cried.
Let's see, I love the movie "Choose Me". A great soundtrack, a real hodgepodge of actors all mixed together in LA in a jazz bar. Keith Carradine is in it, and he is terrific.
District 9 was amazing - I thought I would hate it, but I was riveted.
I do like to watch Four Weddings and a Funeral. It cracks me up, and I think it was one of Hugh grant's best comedy roles. Great actors in that film.
I also love to watch Sliding Doors with Gwyneth Paltrow, also set in London. It's a great premise, and Jeanne Tripplethorn is great in it.
I watch The Color Purlple 2 or 3 times a year. Whoopi is great.
Dead Presidents is another great movie - again, an absolutely amazing soundtrack. A total mishmash of mid 60's to early 70's hits across the spectrum.
Bevi
Bevi,
I have not seen Dead Presidents in a minute. It was a good movie.
I saw Four Weddings and a Funeral. It wasn't my fav Hugh Grant movie. I liked him in Notting Hill and Two Weeks Notice.
I must say I usually give a movie a try if Meryl Streep is in it. Can't say the same for Clint, but I did like Million Dollar Baby and I still want to see Grand Torino.
I have never slowed the credits of Five Heartbeats, but I did see the pic of The Dells and I looked to see the name of the sister who sang "We Haven't Finished Yet". I literally can rewind the movie and watch it again. "The whole world a ash tray to Eddie Cane" ;-) The Temptaions movie was good, but it can't compare to The Five Heartbeats.
That's cool about Dirty Dancing being a snapshot of your life. I bet you really saw some stuff working at the hotel resort.
Nyon
GREAT thread, Bevi!!!
I, like many others who've already posted, loved The Devil Wears Prada. And I agree, Nyon, just about anything that includes Meryl Streep is good for me. I just saw Julie and Julia and highly recommend it. And I also liked the Bridges of Madison County and Out of Africa. I watched Doubt a couple of months ago. It's very dark, but I liked it a lot.
Of course, Dirty Dancing is always great for the dance scenes! Actually, I think "Nobody puts Baby in a corner" should win an Academy Award for cheesiest line in any movie ever!!! LOL But it SO works for that scene!
I also love Hugh Grant, Nyon. Four Weddings and a Funeral was good, and so were Notting Hill and Two Weeks Notice.
Some newer ones I've enjoyed are Bride Wars and He's Just Not That Into You.
I LOVED The American President--could watch it unlimited times!
My daughter's and my two favorites for our old movie nights are Steel Magnolias and Fried Green Tomatoes.
Time to get ready for work. I'm sure I'll think of some others later.
BarbG
Bevi,
I just thought of an idea for a new thread; but I thought that since you started the movie talk, you should be the one to initiate this if you like the idea. We could call it the O Chat Movie Awards--or something like that. And we could have categories, like all-time best movie (or all-time best romance, thriller, drama, comedy, etc.), all-time worst movie, favorite line from a movie, cheesiest line from a movie, etc., etc., etc. Then we could all make nominations; and if we stick with it long enough, we could vote at the end. Just a thought!
BarbG
I love The Devil Wears Prada! At one time in my life, a career in the fashion mag industry was my #1 goal. Watching that movie was bittersweet because it reminded me of something I really wanted to do but never did.
I just looked up The September Issue, and it's not playing here at all. It's times like this that I hate living here:(
I have a very random list of favorites:
Fiddler on the Roof - I can come in on this movie anytime and get completely into it. My mom and I usually watch it together.
The Sound of Music - Same as above
Imitation of Life
Steel Magnolias - I watch this when I need a good cry.
Penny Serenade - an old movie with Irene Dunne and Cary Grant, who is just YUM!
Love Actually
Troy - I really don't care for Brad Pitt, but there's something about his character in this movie that I love.
Secret Life of Bees - Watched it with a bunch of girlfriends at a grown-up girls sleepover and we all cried our eyes out while eating chocolate and wearing fluffy white bathrobes:) Totally off-topic, but we stayed in the same suite Mr. and Mrs. O stayed in when they campaigned in Indy!
Dreamgirls - I have to watch this with my sister and we HAVE TO belt out every song at the top our lungs although neither of us can sing. Maybe that's why no one else will watch it with us...
Memoirs of a Geisha
Chocolat
My newest favorite movie is The Time Travelers Wife. Didn't care for the book, but loved the movie, which is the first time that's happened. I will see anything that is from a book I've read. I can't wait for the DVD. I also really enjoyed Bride Wars, and am sure that a sequel will follow.
Another one, which I know I may be mocked for, is Up. I know it's a kid movie, but I thought it was beautifully done. I actually shed tears in the theater. I love when we take The Twins to the movies, and end up enjoying it too! Another one I may be on my own with is Evita. This is another one my sister and I watch together and sing.every.word. LOUD. I know it's not that great of a movie, but we have so much fun watching it that I can overlook that!
I haven't seen a lot of the movies that have been mentioned, like The Color Purple (I've tried and just can't get into it) and Dirty Dancing. Sounds like I have some catching up to do!
Kristen
Kristen,
My grown kids loved Up as well!
I'm anxious to see Time Traveler's Wife on DVD.
Barb - why don't we do that on this thread? That way people will have some help creating their lists with all of the input from different posts.
Bevi
Bevi, okay! Shall we call it the O Chat Movie Awards?
And what should our categories be?
Best romance
Best comedy
Best drama
Most re-watchable
All-time favorite actress
All-time favorite actor
Best movie line (quotation)
Cheesiest movie line
Other ideas, anyone????
BarbG
I would like to nominate Meryl Streep for all-time favorite actress.
And I'll nominate "Nobody puts Baby in a corner" (from Dirty Dancing, of course) for cheesiest movie line.
And I'll nominate American President, Devil Wears Prada, Fried Green Tomatoes, and Steel Magnolias for most re-watchable.
BarbG
Winter is just around the corner, and that means it will be time for me to curl up on the couch with the cat and watch a movie. The winters are long here in Vermont, and there is nothing I like better than to revisit my movie favorites, or watch new ones I have never seen before. I thought it would be interesting to learn about each others' list of favorite movies. Please help me get through the winter!