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Donna Loves Movies's Discussions
My Queue
001- The Merry Gentleman
Kelly Macdonald stars as a young wife who escapes an abusive marriage to begin a new life on her own. But when she finds herself a witness to a murder, she develops an unusual bond with a glum hit man. Beloved actor Michael Keaton makes his directorial debut with this quirky drama from a script by Ron Lazzeretti. The film premiered at the famed Sundance Film Festival in 2008.
002- Highlander
Director Russell Mulcahy's film became a paragon of modern action fantasy, giving rise to legions of warrior fans who follow the story of Connor MacLeod (Christopher Lambert), one of the few surviving members of a clan of immortals who've been battling for centuries. The evil Kurgan (Clancy Brown) wants to kill a forlorn but determined Connor for good in modern-day New York, but an immortal mentor (Sean Connery) provides help in flashbacks.
003- The Secret of Roan Inish
When 10-year-old Fiona (Jeni Courtney) learns how her ancestors came to leave the island of the seals, Roan Inish, she discovers there may be magic afoot in her family tree, in writer-director John Sayles' (Limbo, Lone Star) fable for all ages. This Celtic fairy tale -- about folkloric, aquatic creatures that are half human and half seal -- includes breathtaking images of Ireland's coastline and full commentary by Sayles.
004- Eye of God
Based on the play by Tim Blake Nelson, Eye of God begins with love blossoming between a small-town girl (Martha Plimpton) and a jail parolee (Kevin Anderson) who's found God during his incarceration. Gradually, we find that things aren't quite right between the two lovers, as she discovers she's pregnant. Meanwhile, a young boy who witnessed a murder stops speaking as a result of the trauma of what he's seen.
005- Chaos
In this French drama, a wealthy housewife, Helene (Catherine Frot), departs from her life of genteel comfort and luxury when she meets a prostitute, Noemie (Rachida Brakni). En route to a party with her businessman husband (Vincent Lindon), their car is stopped by Noemie, who begs to be let in but is attacked by a group of men. Wracked with guilt, Helene later finds Noemie and helps her escape her pursuers.
006- Greystoke: The Legend of Tarzan, Lord of the Apes
Tarzan (Christopher Lambert), the seventh Earl of Greystoke, is raised by apes after he's lost in the African jungle. An explorer discovers the adult Tarzan, reacquaints him with the English language and his rightful place in the British aristocracy, and introduces him to his beautiful assistant (Andie MacDowell). But Tarzan's encounters with civilization are fraught with difficulty as his allegiance shifts between his animal and human families.
007- Big Bad Love
Down-and-out writer Leon Barlow (Arliss Howard), an alcoholic Vietnam vet, struggles to make peace with his ex-wife, Marilyn (Debra Winger), in order to spend time with their children. But an unexpected tragedy forces Barlow to face the realities of his life. Howard makes his directorial debut with this indie drama based on stories by Larry Brown. Paul Le Mat, Angie Dickinson and Rosanna Arquette also star.
008- Towelhead
Based on Alicia Erian's novel, this coming-of-age tale follows the topsy-turvy life of Jasira (Summer Bishil), a 13-year-old Arab American girl wrestling with the challenges of adolescence, bigotry and life with an overbearing father. Directed and adapted for the big screen by Alan Ball (American Beauty), this darkly comic film set during the first Gulf War earned Bishil a Best Female Lead nod at the Independent Spirit Awards.
009- Pixar Short Films: Vol. 1
Enjoy some of the most fun, inventive and entertaining animated short films ever made in this comprehensive Pixar Studios collection. Each wonderful tale features memorable characters, from a mischievous bumblebee to an unwanted unicycle. Academy Award winners "Tin Toy," "Geri's Game" and "For the Birds" are included, as well as a special behind-the-scenes look at Pixar with founder and chief creative officer John Lasseter.
010- Gloomy Sunday
A romantic melodrama set in 1930s Budapest, Gloomy Sunday centers on a love triangle with tragic consequences. Restaurant owner Laszlo hires pianist András to play in his restaurant. Both men fall in love with the beautiful waitress Ilona, who inspires András to write his only composition. The resulting song, "Gloomy Sunday," is at first loved by the public … but soon, its melancholic melody appears to trigger a chain of suicides.
011- A Dirty Shame
Acclaimed filmmaker John Waters returns to his favorite city, Baltimore, for this side-splitting film starring Tracey Ullman as Sylvia Stickles, a convenience-store worker who becomes a raging sexaholic after a minor accident. But her newfound lust is more a hassle than a gift, igniting class warfare on her street, Harford Road. Johnny Knoxville, Chris Isaak and Selma Blair co-star. Waters's muse, Patty Hearst, makes her usual cameo.
012- Forgetting Sarah Marshall
After his TV star girlfriend, Sarah Marshall (Kristen Bell), breaks his heart, Peter (Jason Segel) wants nothing more than to enjoy his vacation in Hawaii. But there are two big problems: No. 1, Sarah's vacationing at the same resort; No. 2, she's bringing her new beau. Mila Kunis, Paul Rudd and Bill Hader also star in this madcap relationship comedy from hit producer Judd Apatow (Knocked Up, Superbad).
013- Zelary
This gorgeously shot World War II drama tells the story of a clash between two different worlds and two different people. Eliska, a nurse in a city hospital, donates her blood to save the life of injured mountain-dweller Joza, and the two form a strong bond. When the resistance group Eliska belongs to is discovered by the Gestapo, she's forced to seek refuge with Joza, leaving her urban life behind and starting anew in the remote mountains.
014- Dead Poets Society
Robin Williams was nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of unconventional English teacher John Keating, who inspires students through poetry. But when his lessons on living life without compromise lead to an untimely death, the school fires him. His devastated students soon rally behind him, mindful of the ways he has influenced their lives forever. Ethan Hawke and Robert Sean Leonard co-star in this Oscar winner for Best Screenplay.
015- Duck Season
What begins as another ordinary, quiet Sunday spirals into a chaotic adventure for two teens left home alone. Equipped with their usual video games, best friends Flama (Daniel Miranda) and Moko (Diego Catano) settle in for a pleasant, if predictable, afternoon. But an unexpected encounter with an alluring adolescent neighbor and the intrusion of an idiosyncratic pizza deliveryman conspire to make the day a memorable occasion.
016- Heavenly Creatures
The Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson helms this chilling true-life drama set in 1950s New Zealand about an obsessive friendship between two girls -- introvert Pauline (Melanie Lynskey) and self-confident Juliet (Kate Winslet, in her film debut) -- that led to murder. The two become increasingly inseparable, retreating to an imaginary world, until their relationship invites opposition from their families that ultimately begets blood.
017- In China They Eat Dogs
A few hours after bank clerk Arvid (Dejan Cukic) knocks out a bank robber (Peter Gantzler) with his squash racket, the robber's wife appeals to Arvid with a sad tale of woe. Arvid hatches a scheme to help the couple by teaming with his criminal brother Harald (Kim Bodnia). Bloody high jinks ensue in this darkly comic gangster import, the rough Danish equivalent of Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels.
018- Bug
Based on a play by Tracy Letts, this claustrophobic thriller from Exorcist director William Friedkin focuses on the love story between a man (Michael Shannon) and a woman (Ashley Judd) convinced that the government is implanting insects in its citizens. Harry Connick Jr. plays the woman's abusive ex-husband in this nightmare tale of paranoia that takes place in an America where no one -- least of all the authorities -- can be trusted.
019- Death Note
When he discovers a mystical notebook that grants him the power to kill anyone he wants by merely writing their name, a brilliant student named Light (Tatsuya Fujiwara) develops a god complex and attempts to create utopia. Now, it's up to ingenious detective "L" (Ken'ichi Matsuyama) to stop the supernatural vigilante. Directed by Shusuke Kaneko, this eerie thriller also stars Asaka Seto, Erika Toda and Shigeki Hosokawa.
020- American Graffiti: Collector's Edition
Showcasing then-Hollywood-newcomers Harrison Ford, Richard Dreyfuss and Ron Howard, director George Lucas weaves together the stories of a disparate group of teenagers as they struggle with adolescent rites of passage in 1962. On the night before two of them leave for college, four high school buddies cruise their small hometown finding love and mischief in this Oscar-nominated coming-of-age classic.
Now how'd you end up here?
Latest Activity
Hi, Ken! I haven't been here in ages and only caught your comments by accident. So glad you posted them.
SPOILERS AGAIN!!!
This site caused a heck of a lot of grief for me as the fans of the movie were outraged (to put it mildly) by my suggestio...
MORE SPOILERS
I realize this is an old post... but I just found it after watching the movie, loving it, watching it again and then reading the book...so there.
I had some of the same reactions as Donna. What is actually going on in the movie are ...
Profile Information
- Relationship Status:
- No Comment
- Are you a Netflix member?
- Of course
- Are you a Netflix employee?
- a) No.
- What is your (apx) "Reviewer Rank" Number?
- 207
- What is your (Anonymous) Friends Link? (the code on the right side of Invite Friends)
- http://www.netflix.com/BeMyFriend/P6cDzH202IiNHxFDuYXo
- What is your Outward Profile page URL (find yourself on one of your friend's lists, and click back to see yourself)
- http://www.netflix.com/StrangerProfile?prid=121801279&lnkctr=MD...
- A Small Set Of My Favorite Movies
- The Devil's Backbone
Yes
Amelie
The Proposition (set in Australia)
Sin City
American Beauty
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon
Closer
- What I Snack on in Movie Theaters
- Occasionally a giant box of Milk Duds, but usually just water.
- About Me:
- A bore, really.
More? Well, I'm a nontraditional student with two yappy dogs and a quasi cat (she's not really mine, just hanging out for a while). School was exciting the first semester, but now it's a TREMENDOUS drag. (my apologies if you are a professor, but come on....liven it up a bit, why don't you!)
oh... if I can bore you with any more minutia, drop me a note below.
Comment Wall (201 comments)
- At 6:12am on November 22, 2009,
Mark Zajac said…
- My note to you on "Legend of the Seeker" was not intended as a ringing endorsement (nor a dire warning). I suspect that it just came along at the right time for me. My brain was tired of my research. Sharing the fantastical adventures of tight-knit characters who grew on me 'till I felt like part of the gang was a perfect counterpoint and a welcome break. It's mental pablum, really. The best part is the chemistry between the principals -- they gaze at each other with real weight behind it.
Good luck with the control freak. All you can really do is scratch your tally of days into the stone wall of your cell, as you dream of freedom (and perhaps revenge), like The Count of Monte Cristo.
[:-)] Mark
P.S. I have also seen nothing of "Pam & Jim" this season. I am waiting until next fall when I can watch the episodes on Netflix, without commercials.
- At 7:37am on November 14, 2009,
Mark Zajac said…
- With no internet or 'phone at home, I'm just in the office, briefly, to inform my mother that my fever from yesterday has broken. It pleases her greatly to stay abreast of such matters, though I am really far too old for coddling. I am still behind on my sleep, so this might be a short note.
I feel rather badly that you troubled yourself with such a long letter when it is clear that you are swamped. The time will come when my job will require a long hiatus at my end. I am relieved, not peeved that you got busy yourself. That will make us even, over the long haul.
My French is not good enough to watch French films without subtitles. Oddly, however, I do enjoy French films with subtitles more than, say, German or Dutch films, with subtitles. The French just sounds familiar and correct, in my ear.
It is a bummer that you were paired with a control freak. When I was a kid at school, it often occurred to me, several times a day, that some of my teachers had chosen a profession (perhaps unconsciously) that would allow them to capriciously boss people around (because kids have fewer rights). As you must know, there is no solution beyond gritting your teeth. Sorry.
The possibility of not finding a job is also a bummer. There is little I could write that would not be a platitude. Suffice to say that I do believe in optimism.
When I moved from Connecticut, I left my television behind. In the same spirit, I try to watch very little IW television. Mostly, I just watch "The Office" -- often fast-forwarding to the Jim & Pam parts. One weekend, I was fed-up with my research and watched an entire season of "The Legend of The Seeker" back-to-back. That is the only television that I have watched at Netflix. The absence of commercials delights me!
To be honest, I was dubious about most of the replies to my thread. One person suggested that perhaps the digital IW file had become corrupted and that Netflix had not bothered to "re-scan" the disk (for lack of the right term). It still seems suspicious that the only unavailable episode is the one with the word "gay" in the title.
I am getting busier as Christmas exams approach. Please do not feel that you must write a long reply. I will not have the time to repay you in kind.
[:-)] Mark
P.S. On the subject of Jim & Pam, I have completed another chapter in my graphic novel (see attached)
StressRelief.pdf
- At 5:56am on November 11, 2009,
Mark Zajac said…
- By chance, I was glancing over some of my old Netflix notes to you and it occurred to me that some of them might be serviceable as reviews. I am going to start posting a few. I somehow felt that you should get advanced notice, as the original recipient.
I'm still crazy-go-nuts busy here so it's great that you seem occupied.
[:-)] Mark
- At 5:38am on November 3, 2009,
Mark Zajac said…
- When viewing the thread of our conversation, my browser displays an image that shows the route of the NYC marathon, with a little icon representing my brother at the finish line.
[:-)] Mark
- At 5:34am on November 2, 2009,
Mark Zajac said…
- I am also really, really busy. It was very convenient to fill most of my last message with a large picture. If you run out of things to do then give yourself a break. No need to weary your fingers with typing here.
[:-)] Mark
- At 6:12pm on November 1, 2009,
Mark Zajac said…
- My brother ran the NYC marathon today.
[:-)] Mark
- At 11:55am on October 16, 2009,
Mark Thimijan said… - No, no, we do not know each other, yet....
I was just cruising around in the Nebraska/Kansas territory and you popped up, looked interesting, so I thought I'd say "hi". Hi.
- At 6:44pm on October 11, 2009,
Mark Zajac said…
- Going in, I had feared that "Easy Virtue" might be a vehicle for Jessica Biel, and it was, but the defect that I had anticipated was actually an unanticipated strength. The story was about a glitzy American who seemed out of place among the rustic populace of rural England. The portrayal of incongruity among fictional characters was enhanced by actual incongruity among the actors who played them. The neophyte Jessica Biel looked truly out of place when paired with the magnificent Colin Firth and the redoubtable Kristen Scott Thomas. Unfortunately, though helpful, the advantage of art imitating life proved insufficient to secure my enjoyment of the film.
Less than satiated, and bemusedly so, I turned to the director's commentary as a possible source of further entertainment. The cause of my malaise was revealed. The director reported that he had accepted the project while medicated in hospital. Otherwise, he might never have agreed to do a period drama. In so many words, he then explained working to overcome the setting and subtly give the film a more modern aesthetic. To me, that was a huge mistake. In the period between the world wars, and in the period after the second, life still seemed evanescent and people lived it desperately. Reckless abandon was tinged with melancholy. The times were a crucible for human emotion and thus provide an almost ideal backdrop for powerful yet believable drama. To me, "Mrs. Henderson Presents" and "Miss Pettigrew Lives for a Day" both capitalized on a post-war setting, while "Easy Virtue" squandered the opportunity in an effort to seem more hip.
From the commentary, I also learned that the other actresses had all been made to seem especially dowdy, in order to make Jessica Biel seem more luminous. One of the young actresses began referring to the make-up trailer as the "ugly wagon" and was once sent back repeatedly, by the director, until she ultimately bust into tears. The director also reported that Jessica Biel and Justin Timberlake would play Scrabble in her trailer, for hours on end, whenever he came to visit her, on the set. Several days later, it occurred to me that perhaps "Scrabble" had been used as a euphemism.
[:-)] Mark
Incidentally, the acting, art direction, cinematography and delightful music in "Paris 36" all capitalized on the 1936 time period to yield a heart-wrenching, heart-warming, delightful piece of cinema.
- At 4:36pm on September 28, 2009,
bug said…
- thanks for the lovely compliment, by the way :) That review of Judgement Day was actually one I felt pretty strongly about (that's the nature of documentary reviews I guess). It's nice to see I'm not the only one!
- At 6:05am on September 15, 2009,
Mark Zajac said…
- I had not intended to queue multiple films about dysfunctional families. That is not usually a genre that works for me. I find it hard to relate.
I queued "Away We Go" because I love John Krasinski as a romantic lead and a movie with an unglamorously pregnant female lead struck me as novel. I chose "Easy Virtue" because I love Colin Firth and I tend to like films that harken-back to bygone eras, which explains "Paris 36" as well. I chose "The Squid and the Whale" because I love Laura Linney. I chose "The Village Barbershop" because it seems to promise a "cantankerous old man vs. charming ingénue" that often works for me.
[:-)] Mark
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