@ AC. Quite welcome and always happy to give my review of a movie.

I appreciate it. Sometimes it's better to get an opinion from the NWebbers than to just read the rating. Sometimes you need details.

Yes, I've seen the Emma Thompson version of S&S. I liked it, but just prefer the '08 mini series overall.

Oh, okay, just curious. I haven't read the book, (so I can't judge for accuracy) but I enjoyed it.I'd probably like the newer one too though, it's probably longer and more detailed. Same way with P&P, the new one is not really accurate, but if you just take it as a film, I like it. But if I want to see the actual story, I'll watch the BBC one...I just need a few days to do so.

But thanks for the link, $26 dollars is a bit steep for me, but it's actually cheaper than the ones that've been selling on eBay. Thanks anyway.

Oh, wow, that's really neat, AC! I need to find it at the library....

I'm not sure if you can. Alot of them are very rare nowadays, I don't think anyone really bothered to release them for home use. But I have a link here to an early film in 6 parts on YouTube:

*Disclaimer: I haven't watched it yet, so I can't tell you if it's clean *

I was sick the other day and I decided to watch abduction...... It was a little too dramatic or something for me. The concept of the story was good. I can't really say much else about it to be honest.

I am not a huge fan of horror movies, I rather comedy horror such as shaun of the dead. Saying that I did enjoy Dark Shadows, maybe because of the tim burton style.

We finally went to the library again and this time the Nancy Drew movies were there, so we got them. We also got The Scarlet Pimpernel (1999) and Heidi (the Shirley Temple version, yuck!).

We have watched the first two Nancy Drew movies, we all really enjoyed them. The little girls especially liked them, they all laughed a lot. The kids were really wanting to watch the next one this afternoon, but Mom and Dad said no. Maybe tonight.

My older brother, one of my sisters, and I watched about 1 hr. 45 min. of The Hobbit on Friday. I really liked the first part of it, everything in Bag End looked really good. After that though, things don't look nearly as good as LOTR. I was really surprised, for me it was kind of like watching LWW and then PC. It just wasn't as good.

I watched the first of the three movies in The Scarlet Pimpernel set last night with my older siblings and parents. It was pretty good. I still like the Leslie Howard version best, but this version was good in a different sort of way. Although I did have to keep the DVD control handy.

SnowAngel

So, I noticed that you all have been listing your favourite movies lately. I don't know if I should attempt that feat or not. I mean, honestly... I don't think you (or I) have enough time to put ALL of them Besides, you all know I'm horribly indecisive, so it could get ugly.

And I know what I'll put next might confuse you, because I just said "I don't know if I should...". However, I feel I could at least list the ones that I can think of off the top of my head. (and this is by NO MEANS a comprehensive list. I don't think anyone has space enough for that to be written down. Hey, what can I say? I'm a storyteller... and storytellers crave stories by others... no matter the medium they come from)

One more thing before my rambling gives way to the films. I figure I should at least put down a little something on why I love the ones I do. No idea why... I just feel the need to explain.

In no particular order, then, is my partial list...

The Dust Factory- The acting is phenomenal in this one, and it's what really draws me to this little known movie from 2004. The storyline is cool too, but yeah... it's the characters. Especially the lead, played by Ryan Kelley. I mean, anyone who can effectively get emotions and meanings through without speaking for the first twenty or so minutes of a film gets an A+ in my book. I mean, that's harder than it sounds. This kid is TALENTED. I won't say more, for fear of ruining it. But feel free to ask me about it... and go watch it if you can!

Stand By Me (1986)- Sure, I don't like the amount of swearing in it... and certain scenes make me squirm. But the character arcs... oh, those wonderful... horribly sad... character arcs. The emotions this film yank out of you, are the kind I want my books to pull from people. Yep, I'm drawn to this one because it's very character driven (which is my favourite type of story). And, it's lead is a very young Wil Wheaton (of Star Trek: TNG, Eureka, and Big Bang Theory fame). Also, it's one of the most quotable movies I've ever seen.

Escape to Witch Mountain (1975) & Return from Witch Mountain (1978)- Growing up I adored these films. And I still do, in fact. The plotlines are brilliant, the acting perfect (Kim Richards and Ike Eisenmann play one of the BEST sibling duos ever), and it's just... magical. For someone who always felt like the outsider in some form, their story just struck a chord with me. And what's really fun now, is seeing the special features on the dvds. Learning how they pulled off the stunts they did amazes me everytime. I mean, I respect the CGI artists, really. But I have a great deal more respect for the people who would use cranes, wires, and various other things to make a Winnebago (sp?) fly, etc. Too cool, folks. That right there is some real movie magic.

The Mighty Ducks trilogy(1992, 1994, 1996)- Ok, the first is the best. Ok, they might not be the best films ever... but they have special meaning for me. As many of you know, the Ducks and Narnia helped pull me through many, many difficult moments when growing up. I don't know how I would have made it without "my team". And extra special? I first saw the very first movie with two of my cousins, my sister, and our parents... when it came out around my birthday (hey, I was 8 or 9! give me a break!). When I glide across the ice rink now, it brings back great memories and gives me peace. When my sis or my cousin Cory call me Spaz, I laugh and smile. When I see the knowing reaction and grin, whenever I call Cory "Banks" or "Banksie". These films capture a piece of my childhood. And I will forever hold them dear for that. they are also to blame for my hockey obsession

The Sandlot(1993)- Baseball, "you're killin' me, Smalls!", and all the rest of it... that's near perfection for a kid who grew up in a baseball loving family. Besides it's SO quotable! Also, the sequels aren't bad... but nothing beats the original. (out of the sequels, I prefer the third. the second is too similar to the original) Oh, and I can't eat s'mores without thinking of this movie. *snickers*

Digger- Talk about a little known movie! But I love this character driven piece. Adam Hann-Byrd and Joshua Jackson did such a remarkable job in this tale about two young friends. We watch them learn about life, friendship, family, and more. And it mentions "The Mysterious Island" a lot, making me very curious about the book. I'm not sure if you can find this 1993 gem, but I suggest you try.

and... I better stop here. I need to eat supper

I'll be back when I can!

Recently I have been checking out a number of DVD's from the library. The following our my two latest views:

In Country (1989)
A family drama centering around the after effects of the Vietnam War, this one was not nearly as good as I hoped it would be. The only actor that I really liked was Bruce Willis as a traumatized veteran trying to come to terms with his war experience. The rest of the cast was meh at best and no one (outside of Willis's character) was all that likable. Also, the "Southern hick" styled accent annoyed me to no end...

The final sequence at the Vietnam Memorial in Washington was touching, but that was about it. Very skippable... unless you want to track down the score by James Horner (which is pretty good). 1 1/2 out of 5

Platoon (1986)
Finally bit the bullet and watched this one. Surprisingly not as traumatic an experience as I was expecting, but definitely numbing.

The film follows the story of a young recruit in Vietnam (Charlie Sheen) and his tenure in the war... including all the experiences he has, both good and bad. Everything about this film is high grade, though there's something about Sheen's character that leaves me feeling a bit aloof and not really connecting to him as much as I'm suppose to (had the same feeling with Blade Runner and Dark City).

Definitely not a movie for everyone and especially anyone under 18 or so as Platoon is very graphic in both images and language. Still, if you are up for it, it's a film that should be viewed at least once. 4 out of 5

Cutthroat Island (1995)
One of the classic film blunders and still the Guinness Book of World Records holder as biggest movie bomb, Cutthroat Island lives down to its reputation... kindof. Geena Davis is obviously bored out of her mind with being in this flick and with a character like hers, the obvious boredom really hurts the overall mood. There's plenty of obvious production issues with the movie including some jarringly abrupt cuts and ill fated comedic moments.

Unfortunately neither John Debney's overbearing score nor some rather impressive fight scenes at the end can save this mess. The worst part of the whole thing is that it's obvious with different actors and a better director, this could have been a fun little mindless romp. As is, Cuthroat Island is better left for dead, marooned on a little spit of land alongside Pirates of the Caribbean 4. 1 1/2 out of 5

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Currently working on Master & Commander with Russell Crowe. Will review it when I'm done.

I will do my proper list of favourite films.(In no real order)

A nightmare before Christmas
A film with me in it
Shaun of the dead
Hot fuzz
The kings speech

We big kids watch all three of The Scarlet Pimpernel movies during the last week. I really enjoyed them, part from the few things we had to skip. I would watch them again sometime.

We got Lawrence of Arabia from the library last week, planning to renew it and watch it over the weekend. We have never seen it before and my older brother wants to watch it, so that is the plan for this weekend.

We girls are hoping to North & South sometime soon, it has been more than a year since we last watched it. Haven't seen it since before we moved last spring. It is hard to find a time when the guys won't be around or will be doing something else, so we can watch it.

SnowAngel

I've read The Scarlet Pimpernel but I've never seen the film. I recall there was one version with David Niven in the starring role. I think. And Cutthroat Island is on my list of Bad Movies To Watch. And what's wrong with Pirates 4, PC, other than the fact that it's fairly awful? Each movie that comes out in that series is just a bit worse than its predecessor, and yet they keep spilling out of the Pandora's Box that is Hollywood. *sigh*

It's awful and a waste of actors, special effects, locations, etc. Also it's existence is completely pointless. Even though they should have ended it with the first one (or at least Disney should have been patient for a better script), the two sequels at least summed up the characters plotlines... semi-decently.

Pirates 4 is completely and utterly pointless. Also, its just not any fun. You know somethings wrong when even Johnny Depp doesn't look like he's having a good time.

I've read The Scarlet Pimpernel but I've never seen the film. I recall there was one version with David Niven in the starring role. I think.

Yes, there is a version with David Niven, but I haven't seen it. Since you have read the book, you really should watch the Leslie Howard version. It is the best. Speaking of the book, after watching the movies, I bought a copy of the book. My brother kept asking questions about it and it had been long enough since I had last read it that I did not remember most of what he asked about.

My brother, sister, and I started Lawrence of Arabia last night, we only watched about 50 minutes since my brother had to work today. I don't know yet what I think of it, since it was less than hour that we watched and the movie is nearly 4 hours.

SnowAngel

I watched the decoy Bride because I heard Dylan Moran was in it. He was hardly in it which was disappointing. It wasn't a terrible movie but not my type of movie.

I watched the decoy Bride...

Oo! I've been wanting to see that for awhile ILF. Why wasn't it exactly your type? Do you happen to know if its available om YouTube?

***

I've been watching alot of YouTube fims lately. I just saw this last night:

Thomas Kinkade's The Christmas Lodge. A Hallmark-esque film, to be sure , but one of the better-not-so-B-rated films. A bit of a tear-jerker though.
Nothing objectionable in it, highly recommend it. One I'll be watching again.

I watched Oz The Great and Powerful with friends last evening. On the whole we gave it a thumbs up as an enjoyable movie. I'm not as familiar with the Oz canon as others, but it was fun to see other characters from the books, such as the China Girl (who got universal 'awwws' from our crowd for cuteness).

There were a number of nods both to the books and to the original classic movie; this one ends up setting itself up as a sort of prequel to that one.

Sam Raimi (Spider-Man) directs; as in many of his other movies his brother Ted (Joxer from Xena) makes a cameo appearance early in the movie.

I watched the decoy Bride...

Oo! I've been wanting to see that for awhile ILF. Why wasn't it exactly your type? Do you happen to know if its available om YouTube?

***

sorry for such a late reply, I didn't hate it. Wedding movies generally are not my cup of tea. Anyway I think I watched it on project free tv.

On Friday, we went to the library and I got The Adventures of TinTin. I had tried to get it before, but it was always checked either the day I went or like the day before. Anyway, a couple of my sisters and I are planning to watch it tonight after the kiddos are in bed.

Several months ago, I post that my Dad had bought The Bourne Legacy and I hoped to watch it soon. It has been over 4 months I believe since he purchased the DVD, so Saturday night we (my older brother, one sister, and myself) finally watched it. (It has been hard to find time to watch "big kid" movies since my brother has a job and classes both right now.) We liked it, three of us agreed we couldn't decided if The Bourne Legacy was just okay or great. I think it is one of those movies you have to watch a second time to decided how good it was.

SnowAngel