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Post by achebeautiful on Mar 4, 2007 16:08:23 GMT -5
I saw the film "Click" and liked it a lot!
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Post by achebeautiful on Mar 4, 2007 16:13:07 GMT -5
Okay everyone, I just watched a film that I would like to make "required viewing" for all FullOfGrace members!
"A Good Year"
You have to see it! It stars Russell Crowe (who in my opinion ranks amongst the best of today's actors, not so much because of his talent but rather that he always seems to play in really great films.)
I would say that this film is somewhat like a male version of "Under The Tuscan Sun".
Please take my advise on this one and see it!
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Post by achebeautiful on Mar 14, 2007 18:41:26 GMT -5
"Red Dust"Starring Hilary Swank and Chiwetel Ejiofor....good film and you should see it. Police officer Dirk Hendricks (Bartlett) files an amnesty application for Alex Mpondo (Ejiofor), a member of the South African Parliament who can't remember the torture he once endured as a captive political activist. South African-born attorney Sarah Barcant (Swank), meanwhile, returns to her homeland to represent Mpondo, as well as Steve Sizela, Mpondo's friend who was arrested along with him and never heard from again.
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Post by achebeautiful on Mar 24, 2007 20:35:55 GMT -5
"Blood Diamond"
This film was recommended earlier by Rachelle, but I am doing so again because I have finally seen it and have to say that it is a great one! Leonardo DiCaprio is at the top of his game, and went from someone I didn't much care for to one of my favorite actors. He was great in "The Aviator", "The Departed" and now this one. It's a great story, too, so check it out!
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Post by achebeautiful on Apr 10, 2007 17:53:14 GMT -5
"Rocky Balboa"
A very classy ending to a legendary story.
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Post by lapayin on Apr 17, 2007 18:30:49 GMT -5
I saw a very disturbing movie called "Osama". I am very often moved by a movie but seldom disturbed by one. I do recommend it. I can't stop thinking about it.
"Osama" (from the cover) - "After the brutal Taliban regime bans women from working and forbides them to leave their homes without a male escort, a 12-year-old girl and her mother find themselves on the brink of starvation. With nowhere left to turn, the mother disguises her daughter as a boy. Now called "Osama," the young girl embarks on a terrifying and confusing journey, as she tries to keep the Taliban from discovering her true identity."
Inspired by a true story it won a Golden Globe in 2004. Made in Afganistan it has English subtitles.
All I can say is God Bless America!!!
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Post by achebeautiful on May 13, 2007 11:03:55 GMT -5
Regarding the film "Osama"
Let me get under people's skin about this a little (with no apologies): it is just plain irresponsible NOT to see this film. Being the first one made after the removal of the Taliban, there is a message here, a story, that is crying out to be heard to a mostly uninformed, uncaring, uninterested world. This kind of stuff does not fit easily into our comfortable lives.
I'm much more than pissed off after having seen this film. I only hope the anger doesn't go away anytime soon.
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Post by smoothlara on May 27, 2007 21:04:51 GMT -5
"An Inconvenient Truth"
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Post by achebeautiful on Jun 10, 2007 21:39:52 GMT -5
"Music And Lyrics"Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore star, and both of them keep their track record intact for making films that really touch the heart. I couldn't help but think of the Survey that Leona started in asking all of us our favorites. One of the questions Leona asks is our preference of Melody or Lyrics. Check out this dialog in the film between Sophie (Barrymore) and Alex (Grant). Sophie's description is exactly my own: Sophie Fisher: A melody is like seeing someone for the first time. The physical attraction. Sex. Alex Fletcher: I so get that. Sophie Fisher: But then, as you get to know the person, that's the lyrics. Their story. Who they are underneath. It's the combination of the two that makes it magic. Hey, it's a very cool film, and I'd bet that every member here would like it!
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Post by lapayin on Jun 11, 2007 21:03:13 GMT -5
The film writers said it perfectly.
Thanks Mark
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Post by S.C. on Jun 22, 2007 9:33:06 GMT -5
"Say Uncle"Portland-based artist Paul Johnson (Peter Paige), who happens to be gay, returns from his telemarketing job one day to some very distressing news - his closest friends, the Fabers, are moving to Japan, and they're taking Paul's two year-old godson Morgan with them. Shifting into serious denial mode, Paul misses their final departure, but ultimately faces the truth that the Fabers are gone and aren't coming back. When Paul's friend Russell (Anthony Clark) convinces him to "get back out in the world," Paul ventures out to play with some kids at the local playground. Inspired to find creative ways to maintain the youthful exuberance he feels, Paul begins to explore every opportunity that might afford him contact with children: working in a toy store, babysitting, advertising himself as a nanny (aka "manny"), even considering adoption. Watching Paul's natural, playful chemistry with the children, one local mother, Maggie Butler (Kathy Najimy), wonders who this amazing "Super Dad" is. Upon further investigation, she determines that maybe Paul is up to no good and decides to rally her neighbors to take action. Thus begins a comic clash of suspicion, fear, and misunderstanding in this "not-quite-black" comedy. Truly, the suburbs are about to get hysterical. Synopsis: www.sayunclefilm.comI watched this film the other day and found it to be quite hilarious. While it is funny, there is also a great lesson to be learned about pre-judgement.~Shavon
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Post by S.C. on Jun 22, 2007 9:39:37 GMT -5
"May"In this modern Frankenstein tale, May (Angela Bettis) is an odd, emotionally disturbed young woman who grew up socially ostracized. Her only "true friend" is a doll her mother gave her. When she fails at establishing any lasting relationships, May decides to make the perfect friend herself -- using human body parts. Synopsis: www.movies.aol.comI love a good horror flick, and this one did not disappoint.~Shavon
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Post by S.C. on Jun 22, 2007 9:47:47 GMT -5
"Après Vous"Antoine (Daniel Auteuil of The Closet), the busy manager of a fancy restaurant, cuts through a park in his rush to meet his frustrated girlfriend, Christine (Marilyne Canto), when he stumbles across Louis (José Garcia) attempting to hang himself. Antoine foils his efforts and takes the intensely phobic, despondent klutz home, much to Christine's chagrin. Lovesick Louis recalls that he's sent his "suicide note" to his elderly grandparents, so Antoine goes with him to intercept the letter. Antoine finds himself taking responsibility for Louis' life, getting him a job as a sommelier at the restaurant (despite his total lack of knowledge about wine and his nervousness around strangers) and going to visit Louis' ex-girlfriend, Blanche (Sandrine Kiberlain of Alias Betty), a florist, and the cause of his heartbreak. Antoine finds that Blanche has a new boyfriend, and cunningly arranges for her to discover his infidelity. But when he offers Blanche comfort, she begins to feel drawn to him. With Antoine's encouragement, Louis gradually develops a newfound confidence, dressing better and excelling at work, all with an eye toward winning Blanche back. Antoine, meanwhile, is falling apart as he gets more involved in trying to fix Louis' life. Christine breaks up with him, and he struggles to hold it together at work. Worse yet, he finds himself increasingly attracted to Blanche, and conflicted in his allegiance to Louis. Synopsis: www.movies.aol.com This film was beautifully written and directed. José Garcia is absolutely adorable in this film. It is perhaps my favourite French Film to date.~Shavon
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Post by achebeautiful on Jun 22, 2007 10:56:58 GMT -5
I've never heard of these films, Shavon, and you have me very interested. I will take you up on your recommendations! Thanks!
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Post by achebeautiful on Jun 30, 2007 9:58:06 GMT -5
"Pride"Competitive swimming as a sport tends to get little attention in cinema. Most American 'sports films' tend to focus on the most obviously dramatic games which have mythic status now like baseball, American football and basketball (and if this were another country besides America, you could add soccer to that list). Competitive swimming probably ranks with curling with the 'average' sports fan, but in the right hands, compelling drama can be extracted from its surroundings. "Pride" is set in the early 1970's and is loosely based on the experiences of Jim Ellis: at the start of the film, a flashback replays Jim's days as a competitive swimmer at his southern college in the 60'—apparently the only black student on the team. This being the Jim Crow era, one meet in particular gets threatened to be canceled if he participates; ignoring the racist catcalls, Jim's sympathetic coach encourages him to continue, but apparently the outcome of the meet was pre-decided. The swimmers line up, and a referee shoots his cap-gun, and Jim dives in first, but it's only when he gets to the opposite end of the pool does he realize—no one else is swimming. Local police now confront Jim, who is now infuriated, and the scene turns into a miniature riot.. Fast-forward about 10 years, the now college graduate Jim now finds himself in Philadelphia, he applies for a teaching job to a prestigious, suburban prep academy. During his interview, he's met by the condescending Mr. Binkowski (Tom Arnold), who informs Jim that he probably couldn't "communicate" with the student body properly. In another era, Jim might not be let through the front door—but this more 'sophisticated' form of racial bigotry still keeps him from his dream teaching job. Here, Arnold fills the role of the "sophisticated" bigot, who couches his feelings in code-words and affected civiilty. Heading to an inner-city employment office, Jim finds just as much condescension to "college boys" from the clerk. Still, he manages to find one lead for Jim—the city is closing down a local recreation center, and needs someone to supervise the cleanup before its officially shuttled in a few months. Jim finds the place, to see that it is in horrendous disrepair—this is also where he first encounters Elston (Bernie Mac), a surly maintenance man who has become the last man standing at the virtually abandoned facility, spending most of the day watching television. Resigned to his temporary fate, Jim begins the seemingly Herculean task clearing out the place (apparently, Jim has no leads on an apartment, as he basically starts sleeping there). The only activity going on is outside, a group of teen boys playing basketball. They hassle the suit-and-tie wearing Jim at first, but on a particularly hot day (and when the city sends someone to remove the b-ball hoops) they accept his invitation to come inside—turns out, Jim has cleaned up and filled the swimming pool. On a dare, he races one of the boys, and soon they bring up the idea of putting together a competitive team. Jim is reluctant at first, then he agrees to mentor them. From there, Jim is challenged to get his kids to believe in themselves through the sport, while trying to stave off the closing of the center, which has clearly given them an outlet they otherwise wouldn't have. Ultimately, the kids will have a showdown with the swim team of the same prep academy that rejected Jim. As in similar urban-based films, there are some stock characters: among the kids, there is the troubled defacto leader, tempted by a drug dealer; there's the peewee who struggles to keep up; there's the token girl. Among the supporting characters, Bernie Mac lends believable weight to the gruff Elston—he's seen plenty of kids grow up at the rec center, but as the center is at the verge of collapse, he now feels just as useless as the furniture inside; Kimberly Elise is an older sister to one of the kids, and the city council member (and Jim's tacit love interest) who is skeptical about the whole thing, but manages to come around. The racial conflict in the film is not as glaring as some would portray it-- when Jim's team has their first loss against the suburban Preps, the kids dismiss it on the way home with smart-aleck bravado, but Jim & Elston admonish them for not taking things seriously, and for racially assuming that they were better. Still later, the film throws a curveball when it's clear that the Rec Center has been vandalized-- only the perpetrators aren't whites, but the neighborhood thugs who feel that Jim's program steps on their criminal turf. The film has a lot of the 'typical' underdog-sports team moments, but for the most part is believable in its execution. I do not think that this is the most brilliantly produced or even well crafted film....I acn't even say that it displays temendous acting. But I know how it made me feel, and because of that I strongly recommend this film. Great story.
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