I just saw "Winter Solstice" starring Anthony LaPaglia. It's the sort of movie I really like but seldom see because they rarely get made. It's a very real, understated slice of life drama about a family of 3 men who have difficulty speaking what's in their hearts. I liked it very much. The acting was terrific, right on the money. Little background is given; you follow the father and his two sons through their every day routines and watch as they come to grips with every day issues. There is nothing splashy or trendy about this little movie. Just a real story about real people acted by a troupe of folks who know what they're doing. "Winter Solstice" is Josh Sternfeld's debut, and as writer and director he puts together a warm, true and moving movie. I hope he does more.

Anthony LaPaglia was great, as always. His younger son is played by Marc Weber, and I expect to see a lot more of him in the years to come.

As good as this little movie is, I think you can wait to watch it on DVD. It's currently in limited release. But do watch it if you like quietly thoughtful films.

I bought the DVD of A Wrinkle in Time - the movie (according to the copyright) was only made last year and obviously didn't get to the theatres (Disney!). It is actually pretty good and relatively true to the book. (OK, some of the dialogue has been updated, and they have computers, and the kids don't have glasses as in the book, and Meg isn't tall with braces and glasses, but....) Problem with it is the obviously low budget. In this day and age of hi-tech visual graphics, these are pretty low tech - interesting ideas behind the tech, but marginal execution.

The worst part, however, was their introduction of "Aunt Beast" - who has always been my favorite character in the book. She is blind - but that isn't mentioned (although, if you know the story, you will notice she has no eyes) and furry (that, they did! I think they used Chubacca's old costume, actually. ) BUT the worst part is they gave her cooing sounds that sounded like those bloody TRIBBLES from ST! I mean, I enjoy the ST tribbles, but Aunt Beast is another character/dimension entirely. Very annoying! :mad:

For those of you horror fans, this is definitely a G movie and definitely a kids' movie. I think it is worth the time to see, however, but then again, the book is on my list of all-time greats! The score is OK - though a tad John Williams-wanna-be and not memorable.

By the way, Madeleine L'Engle took the manuscript to 40 or 60 publishers and was rejected by all (too adult for kids, too kid-like for adults, too strange a story, etc etc!). Only her last publisher accepted it - and it went on to win the Newberry Medal.

Has anyone seen the new French film called "The Chorus"? (to change the subject.) The soundtrack is wonderful.

Today, I bought DVDs. The title is "The Prisoner"

I just watched first episode. I couldn't believe this drama was in 1967. The plot is very original. One man(Patrick McGoohan) is suddenly kidnapped. He woke up in unknown town.Then everybody call him No.6. Still, I just only finished watching one episode, so I don't know next his move. Someday he'll run away from this town.


Has anyone seen this drama? NO SPOILER, please.

Can't remember if threads have been done for these. Anyway...

Primer - A Sundance film about 4 guys that do some scientific experimenting after work. While working on a promising project, a new discovery is made that allows them to change their lives. It can be really difficult to follow due to the use of physics lingo, paradox, who's who, etc. Rather than boring you it makes you want to pay more attention in order to understand. Really good movie for the VERY small budget it was given. Don't bother putting down the remote and keep your finger on the rewind button.

House of Flying Daggers - This is Zhang Yimou's next film since Hero. It's a good flick with great action scenes but it is ultimately about love and betrayal. It does have a little of the cinematic beauty of Hero but it compares more to Crouching Tiger. Some scenes are a bit too long and it's easy to see the plot twists coming. Still, it's worth renting.

I dipped deep and bought the slipcased/limited of The Tomb - now the pinnacle of my collection!! That's the book budget blown for a wee while
Steve
PS Well done Biggles on getting THA - still after that one myself!!

Steve D
I seem to remember a AH thread, but I couldn't find it, so I started another.

All this movie has going for it is a few jolts. It's a poorman's version of The Shining. Wait for the DVD. Seems like a good TV movie for some boring evening.

BTW, wasn't there a pig supposed to be involved in this movie, somewhere?

http://www.empireonline.co.uk/site/news/...s_id=16719

This could light a fire under Beacon's ass, or kill the RJ movie completely.

Taking bets now.

Dave

OK, we know we love FPW's anthologies. But which of all his fabulous short stories is your fav?

As I read and re-read them, the list changes. Right now I'd have to say "Faces" is my favorite. There is such humanity and tenderness in that story, which is really wild when you consider that Paul provokes these genuinely warm and fuzzy feelings for a heinous serial killer.

I'll come up with more.

Now how about you?

I wanna ask one thing to everybody.

My friends don't read novels. Nevertheless everybody like movies. For example, everybody like movie "The Lord of the Rings", but nobody read the books. I recommended books to friends, "Hey, books are great, you should read them!" But almost guys say,"Books? No! That's too long! No, no, no, I don't read them."

So I asked them. "Hey, what are you reading now?"
And almost friends say, "No, I don't read books. It's bothersome."

BOTHERSOME?!..............I couldn't say anything.

One day, I recommend RJ novels to my friend.
"Hey, do you know "Repairman Jack"?"
My friend say,"No....I don't know. What is it?"
"You don't know? Really? Hey, this is excellent book. I lend it to you. Read it."
But my friend say, "No thank you. I don't read book"

So, I explained about Repairman Jack. About The Tomb, about Jack's personality, about Rakoshi, and about Gia, etc,etc.....But my friend said. "Hmm......sounds good. But no thank you. Maybe I'll see the movie version"


If your friends don't know about RJ or AC, how do you recommend RJ and AC to your friends? Tell me your ways.

I am in the process of switching ISP's (AT&T just isn't worth it anymore). Is there a way I can change the address the newsletter is sent to short of unsubscribing and resubscribing?

Thanks!

Eric