BOOKS MADE INTO MOVIES!!

Another amazing role for BOTH Robert DeNiro & Samuel L. Jackson...based on the book Rum Punch written by Elmore Leonard. [thank you for identifying this book title, JohnChristie & GaryStev!] I searched on www. goodreads.com & Quentin Tarantino (Director) wrote this screenplay. Bridget Fonda is quite the tease in this flick!! This much I remember about it (when it came out).. I watched an interview (Perhaps David Letterman?) where Quentin Tarantino made this film keeping a long ago made promise to the amazing lead actress, Pam Grier--aka a role for her!

Flixster - Share Movies

OKaY1 Gary S says, "Cool adaptation of Elmore Leonard's novel." and I never argue technical stuff with him!!

(

Flixster - Share Movies

1962 Director: Robert Mulligan) Remarkable classic...based on Pulitzer prize-winning novel by Harper Lee (Adaped to screenplay by Horton Foote who won an Oscar!) GIV E CREDIT WHERE CREDIT IS DUE I SAY! Here is tagline from Harper Lee's book: "[close] A gripping, heart-wrenching, and wholly remarkable tale of coming-of-age in a South poisoned by virulent prejudice, it views a world of great beauty and savage inequities through the eyes of a young girl, as her father?a crusading local lawyer?risks everything to defend a black man unjustly accused of a terrible crime."[close] A gripping, heart-wrenching, and wholly remarkable tale of coming-of-age in a South poisoned by virulent prejudice, it views a world of great beauty and savage inequities through the eyes of a young girl, as her father?a crusading local lawyer?risks everything to defend a black man unjustly accused of a terrible crime.

Flixster - Share Movies

(2006 Director: Christian Carlton ) Yes a war movie but told first hand...based on the book by R. de Roussy de Sales but about the first WW I (the "Great War") providng some inside looks at each side of the French & American soldiers fighting....focusing on a particular battlefield the night of Christmas Eve! Lovely Fraulein Diane Kruger (National Treasure & Troy -the lovely Helen..) plays a lovely German opera star whose partners on stage goes off to this war along with MILLIONS of other young strong men...MEMORABLE!! Does not disappoint! French language with English subtitles.

Flixster - Share Movies

(1964 Director: David Lynch) How I lLoved reading thiis Frank Herbert SCIENCE FICTION BOOK. 1964 C.A.M.P.Y. low budget B movie is the bomb! I'm loving it! More than half way thru (& trying to complete a semsester of Spanish, Student Intershipsips & endless essays & research & & &...) FUN with a capital F! Whew! Incredibly erotic written by Frank Herbert. There are 5 sequels (books) to the original "Dune" Patrick Stewart is one of his trainers--his comparable martial arts/military weapons coach! You won't recognize him but Kyle MacLachlan plays the young Paul Atriedes (Sex in the City's Charlotte's 1st hubby)!! {"quoting"This Hugo and Nebula Award winner [author Frank Herbert] tells the sweeping tale of a desert planet called Arrakis, the focus of an intricate power struggle in a byzantine interstellar empire. Arrakis is the sole source of Melange, the "spice of spices." Melange is necessary for interstellar travel and grants psychic powers and longevity, so whoever controls it wields great influence. . . The troubles begin when stewardship of Arrakis is transferred by the Emperor from the Harkonnen Noble House to House Atreides. The Harkonnens don't want to give up their privilege, though, and through sabotage and treachery they cast young Duke Paul Atreides out into the planet's harsh environment to die. There he falls in with the Fremen, a tribe of desert dwellers who become the basis of the army with which he will reclaim what's rightfully his. Paul Atreides, though, is far more than just a usurped duke. He might be the end product of a very long-term genetic experiment designed to breed a super human; he might be a messiah. His struggle is at the center of a nexus of powerful people and events, and the repercussions will be felt throughout the Imperium.

Dune is one of the most famous science fiction novels ever written, and deservedly so. The setting is elaborate and ornate, the plot labyrinthine, the adventures exciting. Five sequels follow. --Brooks Peck [ALSO SEE A FRIEND'S REVIEW OF THIS MOVIE (UNDER PURPLE ROSE OF CAIRO!) he FORGOT MAX VON SYDOW PHOTO BELOW...see him at his more recent best in Snow Falling on Cedars]

Flixster - Share Movies

P.S. HALF OF THE FUN OF THIS MOVIES IS PRECISELY THAT THE SPECIAL EFFECTS SHOW THEIR AGE, GRASSHOPPER!!

(2004 Director Robert Lieberman) Simply superb fantasy!..I had to wait paitiently over one week befrore I got to watch this (because of finishing finals this semester)...Oh Wow! AWESOME.. Can I recmmend that you watch it with the Direcotrial comments on?) Did justice (in my opinion) to the Ursula K. LeGuin book Wizard of Earthsea triolgy it is based upon. Danny Glover was wonderful; young Shawn Ashmore (Merry-LOTR) is even more adorable with a scar on this face! Little Lana (Kristin Kreuk-Smallville) makes a lovely priestess..Dreamlike quality that I enjoyed. Personally? I thought Sebastian Roche was hot as the Evil King of the G's. And kudos to the lovely talented Isabella Rosselini!

Flixster - Share Movies

MORE: The Director's input I listened to through the whole movie. It consisted of some movie-making tip..and also several apologies for having made this movie on a budget about 1/20th of that of Lord of the Rings! I thought this movie did NOT suffer from its adequate (though perhaps somewhat scanty budget). certainly NOT a B movie! I am not sure what movie I would compare it to?? Eragon though similiar on story line had a much clearer and simpler story line. Earthsea's director Robert Lieberman shared his loves with us the audience....for example, to be true to the author of the original story, he included several black actors & added that LeQuin would have liked to have seen more "Moors" in this book-to-screen movie. The flow felt natural to me; the story was not overdone yet kept us anticipating throughout...a kind of mystery actually but of course mainly fantasy during the times of kingdoms and dragons!

Flixster - Share Movies

(1995 Director: Rogert Young ) One of the better films of ancient Egyptian life & Hebrew legends, Jacob, son of Isaac son of Abraham.....(and NOT Moses!) Paul Mercurio plays the lead...alongside Sir Ben Kingsley..and Martin Landau as his Father (Jacob)...and Lesley Ann Warren (wife of Pottifer) Zapaneth Pinao, Joseph's new name as second in charge of Egypt for storing the grain in conservation for the years of famine.

Flixster - Share Movies

December 2007 (Director: Mike Nichols) This is good movie making! Wonderful performance. Amazing performance by Philip Seymour Hoffman (Twister). I BELIEVED these characters & believed IN them. Ned Beatty stars as Defense Committee Chairman & Julia Roberts as a religious anti-communist lobbyist. Covert operations, good ol' boys & anti-communism.

Flixster - Share Movies

Based on a book by George Crile. The politics of defense, arms & cold war against Russia (aka Afghanistan support)

Flixster - Share Movies

Flixster - Share Movies

(Dec. 2005 Director: Lasse Hallstrom) Superb! Great storyline (didn't I already write this review??? LOL ...Okay, well....Jeremy Irons is hell bent to see young Casanova prosecuted for his "crimes" of passion...AS A TRIBUTE TO HEATH LEDGER watch his video of "Can't Take my Eyes Off of You (I Love You Baby) by Franke Valle" from 10 Things I Hate About You!

Trailer: 10 Things I Hate About You

Flixster - Share Movies

Flixster - Share Movies

As a tribute to the late Heath Ledger...He was amazing as was George Sands (Lena Olin) who becomes the unhaveable challenge/ game of chase to young, clever as a fox & just as elusive Casanova! Casanova befriends the young George Sands while being chased by half of the ladies of the Court ! Please watch his singing video of I Need You Baby (see below)!!

Flixster - Share Movies

Hilarious views of the period..and King Louis ?

Flixster - Share Movies

Flixster - Share Movies

Trailer: 10 Things I Hate About You

Flixster - Share Movies

(Aug. 2005) Great Director Terry Gilliam (Monty Python fame!) Some of my favorite all time fairy tale stories Heath Ledger & Matt Damon are great as the creative brothers...who bullshit their way through endless "village fears" & encounter horrors of legend! FUNNY, TOUCHING!

Flixster - Share Movies

David Guterson's bestselling novel came to the screen in 1999 through Austrailian Director Scott Hicks. Beautiful, artful and sensitive portrayal of love...and what time and war cannot do to stop true love...I would not call this a war movie (WW II in the U.S. American/Japanese during war & post-war era) Rather this touching Australian- madeto order love story is told in flash backs and involves all our senses. Pure, childhood love propels Ishmail Chambers (Ethan Hawke) son of a local independent newspaper/ publisher to unselfishly devotes his aide to the legal criminal defense of the Japanese husband of his Japanese childhood love, Hatsue Imada Miyamoto (Akira Takayama) This innocent defendant (SEE PHOTO BELOW) is beautifully defended by Max Von Sydow who plays an aging but valient defense attorney.

That might be where this story begins but it certainly captures more than sentimental appeal and a vivid courtroom drama. The heart of this story reveals a town very much prejudiced against the Japanese...during the beginning of World War II when yes some of the characters are rounded up and interred into prison camps here in the U.S.A.

Note: Some famous co-stars such as James Cromwell, Celia Weston, James Rebhorn (Prosecuting attorney).

Flixster - Share Movies

(1997 Director: Curtis Hanson) James Ellroy's best selling novel apparently \(not surprisingly!) If there were 5 more movies you could see and no more....make sure this is one of them!
Hey - try this quiz and see how we compare...A 6 star movie for its courage

L.A. Confidential
Plot? Police graft
Location? 1960's Los Angeles/Hollywood

Adjectives? Irony (Gary's word..)

Book written by James Ellroy

This was an excellent movie...drawn from the Stephen King novel.

Flixster - Share Movies

(1991 Director: Randal Kleiser) One of my true favorites! Huge fan of this book' s author, Jack London. Actor Klaus Maria Brandeur (Baron Blixen-Out of Africa) & Ethan Hawke (Snow Falling on Cedars) are superb!

Saw the original as a youngster...and fell in LOVE with Roddy McDowall!!

Fantastic...both amazing in their roles as Priest and Nun!

MUST SEE

Flixster - Share Movies

(12/31/07 Director: Vadim Jean) Cute unusual close-kin story to a dark Santa tale/!? Based on a book by Terry Pratchett Disc World

Charles Dickens a wonderful book!

(1993 Director: Philip Kaufman) Just bought this one...book turned into movie...with a younger Wesley Snipes, Sean Connery & a long list of fabulous supporting actors., among my favorites supporting actors? Harvey Keitel& Steve Buscemi
Action mystery suspense with lots of humor thrown in! Japanese - American international CSi drama. Harvey Keitel plays a lead co-investigator. Ful of twists & turns. MUST SEE!! Of course....Sean Connery is the senior/expert/fluent Japanese speaking investigator called in special (reminiscent of do I dare say it? Rush Hour or **) SUSPENSE!! Cary Hiroyuki (Mortal Kombat's Shang Shun) co-stars & Steve Bescemi..Hmm...I do not remember Steve's role...have to watch it AGAIN tonight!!

(2001 Director: Lassee Halistrom) Spacey is superb, dead pan & believable in that emotion....if unable to grasp what his boss is seeking...Surprised over Judi Dench's remarkably dark performance...correctly played however! Took notice of Cate Blanchette in this film.

(2008 Director: Robert Luketic) MIT student genious Ben Campbell (Jim Sturgess) is invited by his professor (Kevin Spacey) to a card reading group of the "game" 21......to pay his tuition...based on a book by Ben Meriach, "Bringing Down the House : The Inside Story of Six MIT Students Who Took Vegas for Millions."

Only found this one search under my fave actor Kevin Spacey.

Flixster - Share Movies

read full review at www.mumber1n21.com/21-scrreenwriters.html

(2007 Director: Sean Penn) Quoting reviewer: "It is not, crucially, the story Krakauer wanted to tell (though a couple of these may have been possibilities he wanted to raise), and this is why the notion of Into the Wild being faithful to its source is so absurd. I want to be clear that I mean none of this as an aspersion on the film. I think it's fantastic, and what Penn does with McCandless' story is heartbreaking ? in some ways more so than the book. What Penn realized is that while the book is an outstanding work of investigative non-fiction, it wasn't a story, or at least not one that would have worked on the screen. So he took what was a circumspect, thought-provoking work of journalism and turned it into a bold, dramatic American tragedy. It was one of the best films of last year. But it was "faithful" to the Krakauer book in only the most superficial ways.. . . "

(2009 Director: Zack Snyder) Based on a 11988 Huho award-winning novel, "Watchmen" by Alan Moore & Dave Gibbons (League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, V for Vendetta) .

Flixster - Share Movies

(2005 Director: Peter Jackson) MUST SEE!! Won 3 Oscars including Sound NOT ONLY did this screenplay remain true to the original novel by authors Merian C Cooper & Edgar Wallace ... BUT ALSO ...

Flixster - Share Movies

it developed the characters even more richly than the original film. How does THIS "King Kong" movie compare to the original 1933 Legendary King Kong starring Fay Wray? Or to the wonderful 1976 remake starring Jessica Lange as the damsel sacrificed. A group of producers collaborated to produce this movie (Jan Blenkin, Carolyn ne Cuningham, Fran Walsh & Peter Jackson) Even with magnificent Kong & other prehisotrics on Skull Island..and great special effects & scenery, it STILL remains true to the story line...but adds some wonderful classic touches of Downtown NYC (almost authenitc to the times of the 1930's!!) right down to the WW I fighter planes...and old style machine guns....NOT modern firepower...but THEN modern firepower to battle the "beast." Speaking of the story line...perhaps a word should be devoted to the writers of the original wonderful story, namely,Merian C Cooper & Edgar Wallace.

Flixster - Share Movies

Jack Black is wonderful in this "character actor" role as the crazed (and financially desperate) movie producer....

(1978 Director: Michael Cimino)

Flixster - Share Movies

At least 5 of my still today favorite aactors + actress Meryl Streep star!. Loved Lisa (Maaico's) review of this movie. This is one of those films that shakes you up truly--test of courage, conviction, friendship & how far out of hand CAN people let things go?!?

Great performances!! A GREAT "guy" flick in my humble opinion.....!

Flixster - Share Movies

Another film "must see" in this genre (post-Vietnam) might include American Graffiti II (Yes but the SEQUEL!! TRUST ME!)....i am reading the James Fenimore Cooper book currently.

(2007 Director: Paul Greengrass) Thank you, Mr. Greengrass for bringing one of Robert Ludlum's best books to the screen!!I am one of Robert Ludlum's devoted fans. Loved all the others!! In a word? SUSPENSE.....Something wonderful to go and see (rELEASE DATE 08/03/07)!! YIPPEE! Loved Brian Cox (killed in the sequal tho!) & Matt Damon in the Bourne Identity & Ultimatum. This sequel is nonstop! Grabs you right up front. This director/editor whomever does this makes DAMON look like the best actor/spy around!! Great!

(2002 Director: Doug Liman) The only thing better was the book by my favorite mystery writer, Robert Ludlum! (& all the sequels he wrote as well) and then there iare my personal favorites IN ADDITION to Matt Damon whose performance is outstanding! Those running sequences, awesome training shows!! Clive Owen, Brian Cox, Julia Stiles........

Flixster - Share Movies

(2007 Director: Alan Ball)

Flixster - Share Movies

Controversial not only politically, but sexually, racially. Seems quite a few people in this film set during President George H. Bush's administration during the Gulf War are a bit prejudiced. Touches on the tough realitiy faced by 13-year-old Jasira. ...

To try to get inside the head of a 13-yr-old girl tossed from irrational mother in denial of her molesting boyfriend across the country to Houston, Texas, to her ultra- ultraconservative status conscious father, a wealthy NASA employee, Jasira's Lebanese immigrant-turned-U.S. citizen father from beatings to repeated molestation--all searching for love or acceptance in a surreal world!!

Stars Peter Macdissi as Jasira's father & Maria Bello (as Jasira's out-of-touch, selfish mother) & Aaron Eckhart (as U.A. Army Reservist;/ sexual predator).& lovely big-eyed Summer Bishil as Jasira. Jasira says more with her eyes and facial expression than most people ever say..

Hard to watch!! Shocking? Definitely...but the character study. Does anyone remm\ember what it FEELS like to be l3??? (that was how old Anne Frank was...when she wrote her "Diary of Anne Frank") I was SO SHELTERED at 13 & that was probably a good thing!

A very pregant Toni Collette co-stars as an astute concerned neighbor who has Jasira's best interests at heart...and reaches out a neighborly hand just in the nick of time!

Adapted from "Towelhead," a novel by Alicia Erian, who is famous for her "The Brutal Language of Love: Stories) An excerpt from Alicia Erian's book "Towelhead": ""I began to think that my body was the most special thing in the world. Better than other bodies, even. Not because of the way it looked, but because of all the things it could do. All the different buttons there were to push. I wanted to find out what every single one of them was. I wanted to feel as good as possible."
? Alicia Erian (Towelhead: A Novel)

IF you like this one, you might enjoy reading the novels, "Kite Runner" or "A Thousand Splendid Suns," both written by Khaled Hosseini.

A link to the "www.zoom-in.." article on Director Ball's making of "Nothing is Private (Towelhead) http://www.zoom-in.com/film-tv/on-the-circuit/on-the-circuit-alan-ball-summer-bishil-and-peter-macdissi-towelhead?#

Director Aaron Ball when he bought the rights to the book, inevitably faced obtaining independent financing in order to produce this controversial movie. (There is community discussion included on the DVD) Director Ball debuted this film at the 2007 Toronto International Film Festival.

A toast! To my friends who DO NOT use the "V" word in describing this movie, P L E A S E

(2007 Director: Chris Weitz) Simply dynamite tale done WITHOUT animation & only limited special effects. It would appear (to me) to be set in the past. I base this on the unusual, no rather somewhat fantastic actually "ocular crystal slide projector-like device" (almost Benjamin Franklin or Gallieleo-like)!

No, I had not read the book first. Yes I immensely enjoyed this film.

Fantastic cast, including Sam Elliott, Ian McClellan! Uncle Lord Asriel (Daniel Craig), Mrs. Coulter (Nicole Kidman) Lyra, the lovely nieice of Lord Asrielm, joins Mrs. Coulter on an adventure. Meanwhile her Uncle has also left for the North in search of "dust," magical dust it would appear, though it is forbidden to speak of this dust....This story is based on a novel by Philip Pullman, an author who avoids the good & bad of relligion [read on for a little more depth on that subject] yet chose to name the "pets" of the characters as "demons," Wonderful performance by Ian McLellan as the voice of the wonderful armored polar bear without whom's help Lyla could never have rescued her classmate from the dreadful experiment.

With the gift of the last remaining golden compassm Lyra can read the future--ior more speciifically obtain the answer to any questions.

Oh, is that why a child's demon can change shapes (shapeshift) but an adult's can't? " Lyra asks her Uncle.

Ian McLellan does the wonderful voice of the fiierce polar bear..
Based on the controversial book, "Northern Lights," by Phillip Pullman.

Excerpt of SFF Media's John Holamn's 12/07 review: "Set in a fantastical parallel world, the movie begins with a young orphan, Lyra, discovering that she is at the centre of a deadly conspiracy and that the lives of many children depend on her. Lyra is in possession of The Golden Compass, a powerful tool that the Magisterium, an evil church-like body that dominates and controls this parallel world, wants to recover at all costs. She embarks on an epic journey to the far north to save her best friend.

With a massive US$180 million budget from Newline, The Golden Compass stars two of the biggest names in Hollywood, Nicole Kidman and the new James Bond, Daniel Craig. Kidman plays the movie's villain, the enchanting but evil socialite Mrs Coulter, while Daniel Craig plays the heroic Lord Asriel, Lyra's tough, mysterious uncle.

Apparently Kidman, a Catholic, was Phillip Pullman's first choice ten years before the movie went into production. At first unwilling to commit, Kidman signed on only after receiving a letter from Pullman and an undertaking from producers that the anti-Catholic tone of the book would be watered down.

Chris Weitz, best known for writing and directing About a Boy, is Writer and Director here too.

With eye-popping visuals of futuristic airships, talking armoured ice bears, shape-shifting creatures, witches, stunning city scapes, along with obligatory rough looking pirates, The Golden Compass appears to have all the right ingredients for box office success. "


". . . Obvious or subtle, an anti-religious slant (Christian or otherwise), metaphysical speculations about the nature of God, or direct questioning of established beliefs shouldn't stop anyone going to see The Golden Compass. This type of speculation is what makes science fiction and fantasy so intriguing. Creating hypothetical, polarised worlds is a great way to explore the everyday from different perspectives, question belief systems, and challenge-preconceived notions.. . . "

(2005 Director: Peter Hyams) Based on a short story written by Ray Bradbuy [Sci fi]

Flixster - Share Movies

Wow! You gotta see this one! If just for the concept of future time travel...don't let that BORE YOU ALREADY!!! It features none other than the great Ben Kingsley as MC & salesman of this new concept (Great perspective on the graft of sales...Hey I sell too!! LOL)....and great special effects....this movie has great twists~! Innovative~! [no found video clip available] BUT A WORTH SEE!! I predict it COULD become a cult classic~~

Flixster - Share Movies

This film is stunning and on my "Must See" list because:
a) Incredible acting
b) Futuristic look at our pious & better than thou attitude biting us in the butt!
c) Yet another reminder that human nature will remain human nature EVEN
in the future AS it is in the present and was in the past!
d) somehow we think we can outthink ourselves??!#@

This film takes us into some awesome mental/psyche levels of thought as do the following films which I consider also before their time:

Movie Recommendation Issue(s) Dealt With

Equillibrium ( A society medicated?? )
Planet of the Apes (the original) (Time Travel/Evolution)
Minority Report (Will we undo ourselves thru our scientific endeavors??)
The 6th Day
The Matrix (How far is too far? Trust?)
Blindness (Human Nature/Disaster-biological/Preparedness)
The Island (Future Science-Cloning, Trust)
Wall-E (Ecology/Health)
Lost in Space (Ecology)
Dune (Intergalactic war over ?)

Perhaps it is not clear what each of these movies + Minority Report have in common? They have a theme of either futuristic or no foresight or reaping the results of our gluttony + failure to plan ahead!! Some of them address man vs. machines
FEEL FREE TO ADD YOUR OWN FAVORITES TO THIS LIST I'M STARTING!!

(2002 Director: Stephen Daldry) This is a wonderful portrait of 3 women's lives....based on a book by (to be continued)

(2002 Director: Roman Polanski) Pure art! Loved this as a new slant on World War II films. Alan Brody is remarkable portraying a humble but talented concert pianist evading the gas chamber or confinement in concentration camp thru his contacts & inevitably by dodging bombs in nearly destroyed buildings.

I just learned that a book inspired this movie (see below)

2003 Academy Awards:
Best Actor: Adrien Brody
Best Writing Adapted Screenplay
Best Director: Roman Polanski
Best Cinematography nominee
Best Picture nominee
Best Film Editing & Best Costume Design nominee
Won 2003 BAFTA Best Film, Best Direction: Roman Polanski & Best Actor nominee: Adrien Brody
2003 Golden Globe nominations Best Motion Picture (Drama) & Best Actor in a Drama

If you like it may I recommend the French film Joyeaux Noel?(Joyeaux Noel Based on a WW I true story)

More details at: http://rogerebert.
suntimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?
AID=/20030103/REVIEWS/301030302/1023

"...After the war, we learn, Szpilman remained in Warsaw and worked all of his life as a pianist. His autobiography was published soon after the war, but was suppressed by Communist authorities because it did not hew to the party line (some Jews were flawed and a German was kind). Republished in the 1990s, it caught Polanski's attention and resulted in this film, which refuses to turn Szpilman's survival into a triumph and records it primarily as the story of a witness who was there, saw, and remembers. .."

(1998 Director: Harold Becker...David Kelley was also an Associate Director on this one) Gripping tale of survival based on the book of the same title written by Ryne Douglas Pearson. Yet another masterful performance by Bruce Willis starring as a rogue FBI agent "blessed" by the chance assignment after a demotion to murder investigative detail with the local city police under his new police boss (Chi McBride-The Terminal, Waiting, Still Waiting, The Kid). Perhaps because of my special education background, my opinion of this film appears to be a bit higher than that given by the Flixster reviewer above & some others here. Miko Hughes is very believable playing an autistic boy age 9. Bruce Willis sensitively handles his assignment, protectively shielding this disabled child who becomes orphaned due to the intervention of the NSA. This likeable child is a savant--he has extraordinary decoding abilities and solves the "unsolvable" Mercury code one of 100 puzzles inside this drug store puzzle book. When young Simon telephones the phone # given for prize-winning decoders to call (in actuality a mysterious NSA department) , all kinds of bells and sirens go off, which is where Alec Baldwin's usual overly dramatic acting works like a charm. It is easy to dislike his strictly "by-the-book" coldness as he delegates the assassination of this child and his parents--in the interest of "national security."

(2009 Director: Ron Howard) Saw both Tom Hanks & Ron Howard interviewed on the Morning Show day before yesterday or so ago......sounded like this is SEQUEL TO THE DA VINCI CODE? Someone correct me please if I am wrong?

Bought the book The DaVinci Code...but have not read it yet. Also have NOT yet seen the movie. Robert Langdon's novel, Angel's and Demon's, this movie is based on.

Tell me more please someone? Anyone?

Flixster - Share Movies

(2009 Director: Nick Cassavetes) Stars Alex Baldwin & Jason Patrick opposite Joan Cusack (jes John's Sister) and the underrated Cameron Diaz (Gangs of NY, The Holiday My Best Friend's Wedding &Charlie's Angels) who is more versatile thatn she is often given credit!. Here she and her hubby (Jason Patric) are sue by their teenage daughter (Abigail Breslin) who wishes to become an emancipated minor.

Based on the book of the same title written by .Jodi Picoult..have you read it?

(1996 Director: Henry Selick) Award-winning writer Roald Dahl's masterpiece. LOVED the book....this was interesting. (review to follow)

(1998 Director: Griffin Dunne) This is a masterpiece starring 2 very talented actresses playing sisters (Sandra Bullock & Nicole Kidman). Their aunties deserve at least equal credit as the lovable witches who take in their neices after their mother must go into hiding due to her trial by local vigilantes as a witch. Stockard Channing & Dianne Wiest portray the most lovable witches I have seen portrayed on screen, spoiling their neices & gently teaching them the craft. They live together in a huge 3-story home in a small community where the towns people all fear them as "witches,: although many from the community seek them out in private for a love potion when needed.

To me this movie is more about the rich characterizations than about witchcraft per se. Kidman leaves home at a young age drawn by her adoring lover, only to return a few years later when James Angelo (Goran Visnjio--Dr. Luka on E.R./Spartacus)'s love for her turns from passion to violence. Just as the storylne appears to turn dark, there is so much humor in the way the Director presents the strong sisterly bond between Bullock & Kidman, the story remains palatable.

The Owen women believe there is a curse on them--their husbands always die before them, something Sandra Bullock experiences when she is left with 2 lovely young daughters when her husband is suddenly struck by a semi truct one day and passes away.

Based on the book " ", by **.

(2008 Director: David Fincher) Won 2 Academy awards tonight (makeup & best art direction) I want to see it to see the chemistry between Cate Blanchett & Brad Pitt (former girl/boy friends). An "adaptation" of F. Scott Fitzgerald's story....and beautifully written I might add.

2009 ACADEMY AWARDS (my observations as relates to lead character Brad Pitt). Brad Pitt received an introduction of sorts (along with the 4 other Best Actor nominees) with Anthony Hopkins acknowledging his noteworthy acting performance in this unusual film, despite the fact that he did NOT win the nomination for best actor for his performance. Anthony Hopkins is truly one of my personal role models...

Does this imply no I mean infer that Brad Pitt is among the 10 best actors currently starring in film? yes I think so!

Cat Blanchett's performance was noteworthy as well. The storyline of a child born aging in reverse poses some sticky wickets...but the tale is spun with folksy warmth and generous amounts of humour.

(2008 Director: Fernando Meirelles--The Constant Gardener& City of God, a personal favorite) AGAINST leanings to the contrary, I DO wish to watch this film....this is on a friend's "favorite books" list (on www.goodreads.com)...Adapted from the novel by Nobel prize winning author Jose Saramago..This is at least a R rating...warning: NOT for the little ones overall rating R but in parts certain violence + sex mixed with survival themes. NOT recommending it for under say 11 yr old ('nuff said?)

This is a wonderful study of how people react in a crisis & a statement perhaps on the depravity of some peoples. Contagion of blindness...tho there is nothing visibly wrong with the eye according to medical tests. A physician (Mark Ruffalo) and his wife (Julianne Moore) are among the early ones to be infected something the doctor contracted from a patient at his hospital. However, his wife refuses to stay behind when he is forcibly carted away by the military to a quarantine holding center. She (Juliane Moore) does NOT lose her eyesight but keeps it a secret. "Man With Eye Patch" (Danny Glover) wears an eye patch and joins the group as the only one in Block One who has a radio! This is their first glimpse into what is occurring in the outside world.

Chaos and power struggles happen. There is not enough food provided to start out with. More and more people are added to the Quarantine Compound but without provisions being supplied. No one is allowed to leave; military police surround the Compound and shoot anyone out of line. I had not read the book but will. The Doc and his wife have a pretty deep connection which rather moved me in this dark study.

At one point a Minister;s voice can be heard preaching about the Apostle Paul (Saul of Tarsus) and relaying the story of him being blinded along the road to Damascus, on his way to persecute the early Christians. It is the famous story of Saull being blinded & being led to meet up with someone whom an Angel told him he would see once he arrived in Damascus. This priest restored (healed) Saul's eyesight and he changed his name to Paul and wrote much of the New Testament--a 180 degree turn around. Paul perhaps held the knowledge necessary for the Gospel itself to be propitiated.

"I know that part inside of you with no name, and that's who we are, right?"

CAST...Taxi Driver-Joe Pingue Receptionist-Susan Coyne Boy: Mitchell Nye "Mother of the Boy" -Fabiana Gugli The Accountant--Maury Chaykin Policeman-Joe Cobdon Maid-Amanda Hiebert Woman in Sunglasses(Prostitute)-Maria Inger Other Woman of Ward One-Toni Ellwand & Nadia LItz Minister of Health-Sandra Oh Sergeant-Michael Wandner Hoodulm-Billy Otis (led a gang of terrorists interned within the Quarantine Ctr)