Let's Talk Movies #33: Star Wars: Jabba Rising...Captain America Trumps China...and MORE!

[PeterG]

And lastly, a few random movies I noted at the bottom of my list as lighter choices:


Fun Favourites:


Anchorman: The Legend of Ron Burgundy

Déjà vu (2006, Denzel Washington)

Flightplan (2005, Jodie Foster)

Frozen (2010, Kevin Zegers)

How Do You Know (2010, Reese Witherspoon)

Invitation, The (2016, Logan Marshall-Green)

It Follows (2014 horror thriller)

Jurassic World

Land Of The Lost (2009, Will Ferrell)

The New Daughter (2009, Kevin Costner)

Panic Room (2002, Jodie Foster)

Pillow Talk (1959, Doris Day)

Private Benjamin (1980, Goldie Hawn)

Rogue (2007, Michael Vartan)

Step Brothers (2008, Will Ferrell)

Superstar (2009, Molly Shannon)

Surviving Crooked Lake aka Portage (2009, Canada)

The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3 (2009, Denzel Washington)

Titanic (1997, Leonardo DiCaprio)

Unstoppable (2010, Denzel Washington)

Wrecked (2010, Adrien Brody)

 

[Vash01]

Can someone explain to me why Beauty and the Beast was remade after such a short time? I remember the previous, animated version with Angela Lansbury singing the title song. I am one of those who don't care about the old fairytales made into movies. May be they are meant for children, and the oarents go along? Still, why the same movie (story) again?

 

[Mayra]

Can someone explain to me why Beauty and the Beast was remade after such a short time? I remember the previous, animated version with Angela Lansbury singing the title song. I am one of those who don't care about the old fairytales made into movies. May be they are meant for children, and the oarents go along? Still, why the same movie (story) again?

It's a beloved story and Disney appears to be remaking it's animated movies into full movie features. There is something about seeing your favorite animated stories come to life that will no doubt bring people to the theater in droves. I want to a late night showing of the movie and it was mostly adults in the theater. Nostalgia maybe?

Cinderella was recently remade as well, although not with this much fan fare or box office success.

 

[watchthis!!]

One movie that won't be on my greatest films of all time list (but was fun anyway) is Vampires Suck. It's a parody of the Twilight movies and wasn't as bad as I expected. Some of the making fun of the sullen, mis-understood teenager them was pretty good. The humour along those lines, laughing at the broad themes worked well, but some of the prank-type stuff felt kind of weak to me. Speaking of sullen teenagers, Sullen is the name-change for the Cullen family from the original. Matt Lanter plays Edward, I thought I recognized him through all the hair and make-up changes they put him through. He has been on a few CW tv shows and now is on the show "Time After Time". The movie has some other comedy greats in smaller parts, like Ken Jeong and Dave Foley. Overall, definitely not a classic, but if you're in the mood for some brainless sillyness, this one would be a good pick.

Trailer for Vampires Suck: https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=trailer+vampires+suck

Can someone explain to me why Beauty and the Beast was remade after such a short time? I remember the previous, animated version with Angela Lansbury singing the title song. I am one of those who don't care about the old fairytales made into movies. May be they are meant for children, and the oarents go along? Still, why the same movie (story) again?

 

[Buzz]

I agree with you @Vash01 but i guess the studio made the right decision because the movie shattered all expectations. It's estimated BO is $170m. We should get ready for more live action remakes and I will never again question Disney/Marvel.

 

[VGThuy]

Disney's reasons for doing anything always involves money. No need to wonder, haha. They probably have the best market researchers out there and realized continuing their live action adaptation series with Beauty and the Beast would only result in almost free money. Beauty and the Beast is probably considered by many as Disney's best animated film (nominated for Best Picture); it also had a successful Broadway adaption which was probably also served as an untintentional test run to see how audiences respond to a live action version; and was made 26 years ago which means it was long ago enough with lots of young kids who probably haven't even seen the original yet, but also not too long ago to be an obscure franchise with youngish adults who grew up watching and their parents/grandparents who are familiar with the material. Just hire handsome Dan Stevens from Downton Abbey (I'm sure there's a lot of overlap between Downton viewers and B&B viewers) and beautiful Emma Watson (again Harry Potter viewers probably overlap with Disney viewers), and with new CGI technology of this decade, and the decision was a no-brainer.

 

[Vash01]

I know it's all about making money, but Disney won't be getting My money to watch old fairytales on the big screen.

I did watch the animated B&B on TV when it was free viewing. I did watch the live performance in a theatre and that was enjoyable because it was the theatre.

 

[smurfy]

Re - Disney & $$$
Looks like B&B will make tons of $$. Even if it did mediocre - there is all the dolls etc that will be sold. Disney is one well oiled machine.
I love Star Wars and am glad more movies are coming - and thanks to Disney as they can continue to cross market/merchandise.

I like Emma Watson, and understand that she dropped out of LaLaLand for B&B. That has to hurt some.

 

[manhn]

Do people have problems with Disney on Ice? I have never attended a production, so maybe it's a truly brilliant piece of art. But I am glad it exists so skaters can make some income.

 

[Vash01]

Do people have problems with Disney on Ice? I have never attended a production, so maybe it's a truly brilliant piece of art. But I am glad it exists so skaters can make some income.

I don't think I have attended one. It's good for skaters that don't make it big in competitions to have a profession other than coaching at lical rinks. I assume that children enjoy the performances.

 

[smurfy]

Do people have problems with Disney on Ice? I have never attended a production, so maybe it's a truly brilliant piece of art. But I am glad it exists so skaters can make some income.

I have taken my nephews when they were younger - as they knew I loved skating. I would think anyone on this board might not as impressed as the general audience. It is not bad, there are some good skaters, good quality, but not high difficulty. going with little ones made it fun, but not something I would go out of my way to see.
They have good skaters - in the mid 90s - I saw Natasha Kuchiki (Todd Sand's partner before Jenni) in one show.

 

[made_in_canada]

I went to see Beauty & the Beast today with my nieces and nephews. It was very well done, with just enough different to make it worthwhile. Emma Watson didn't annoy me which I was a little worried about and the songs that were different fit perfectly. I also liked having more of both Belle and the Beast's background included. The kids loved it too

 

[Allskate]

ust hire handsome Dan Stevens

He plays the beast. And the beast isn't handsome.

I like Emma Watson, and understand that she dropped out of LaLaLand for B&B. That has to hurt some.

From what she has said, she wanted to adequately prepare for the dancing and singing and she would not have been able to do that if she did La La Land. So, maybe she's very comfortable with her decision. Plus, I think that the box office for Beauty and the Beast will very quickly surpass the La La Land box office. It's also very possible that she liked the character in Beauty and the Beast more than she liked the character in La La Land. Maybe she's just very good at faking enthusiasm, but she comes across in interviews as being very into portraying this version of Belle and seems to identify with her in some ways. She might not identify with Mia as much or feel quite so passionately about the La La Land story. Emma Stone identifies more with Mia, so maybe the right Emmas ended up doing the right roles.

 

[Matryeshka]

I thought Beauty and the Beast was incredible--in some ways, better than the original. The characters were more fleshed out in this one, and had better actual storytelling. This is a weird critique, but the animated had a lushness and sensuality to it that's missing in this version. Your heart doesn't stop in the ballroom scene, and it lacks that magical quality that truly great movies (animated or not) have.

I would see it again. But just one more time. Not the--ahem--five times I saw the original. And own on DVD. And can maybe say all the lines before the characters do (don't judge).

 

[manhn]

Saw Jackie. OMG, OMG, OMG. Loved this movie. So much. Natalie was fantastic, even besting Sally Field. I found her portrayal of grief and shock so brilliant. There was a physicality that I wasn't expecting. Despite it being an American story, it had a French or French-Canadian style. Her march in her veil was stunning. And the score? Magnificent.

 

[Allskate]

And the score? Magnificent.

I hated the music in Jackie. I found it so grating and distracting.

 

[PeterG]

I didn't get to mention about my favourite movies lists that a movie almost always has to be one that I want to see again to make it on to my favourites lists. There's a lot of good movies I didn't include in my lists that I thought were very good, but they weren't something I felt I had any need to ever watch again. Also, my lists will be ever-changing as I remember movies that didn't come to mind while compiling my list. Plus when I think of various actors and wonder if any of their movies ended up on my list. Even since I posted the lists, my actors list to review already includes:

Kathy Bates (Dolores Clairborne!!!)
Jessica Lange
Sissy Spacek
Sigourney Weaver
Sally Field
Colin Firth
Sean Penn
Toni Colette (Muriel's Wedding!)
Julianne Moore
Laura Linney
Amy Adams
James Marsden
Chris Pine

I'm going to be ending up with a top 300 soon enough!

Can someone explain to me why Beauty and the Beast was remade after such a short time? I remember the previous, animated version with Angela Lansbury singing the title song. I am one of those who don't care about the old fairytales made into movies. May be they are meant for children, and the oarents go along? Still, why the same movie (story) again?

I heard that after the success of the live action re-makes of Malificent, The Jungle Book and Beauty and the Beast that Disney will be remaking a L-O-T of their animated movies into live action features.

 

[manhn]

I found it beautiful and varied. Very horror movie style, and then elegiac and calm. I think a more mature Med could do wonders with this as a long program.

 

[HeatherC]

I see movies in the theatre about once a year if I'm lucky but I did go with some friends (a few who are Disney fanatics) to see BATB last night and we all enjoyed it. I liked that they fleshed out the characters more in this version, the Beast actually seemed quite human at times, the casting was quite good for all the characters, and I really enjoyed the new songs that were added to this one. I would definitely see it again.

 

[annie720]

I saw Get Out yesterday. Thought it was a great thriller and I'm now a fan of Daniel Kaluuya.

 

[MacMadame]

Can someone explain to me why Beauty and the Beast was remade after such a short time?

26 years is not a short time.

I like Emma Watson, and understand that she dropped out of LaLaLand for B&B. That has to hurt some.

I'd be really surprised if La La Land would have been as good a movie with Emma Watson in the lead role. That role seemed made for Emma Stone.

 

[Wyliefan]

My absolute favorite part of B&tB was Belle and the Prince (post-transformation) at the end. Stevens and Watson were so freaking cute together. I almost want a sequel just about their further adventures.

 

[Wyliefan]

I found it beautiful and varied. Very horror movie style, and then elegiac and calm. I think a more mature Med could do wonders with this as a long program.

Oh Lord, don't give her any ideas!

 

[Vash01]

I hated the music in Jackie. I found it so grating and distracting.

I hated the music, the movie, and Natalie's acting in Jackie.

I guess we have all kinds of opinions.

 

[Vash01]

I saw a Danish movie 'After the wedding' on DVD this weekend. Very good movie, if you leave out the major coincidence it is based on. Regardless, I was totally absorbed in the story and couldn't move away for a second. I have really grown to like Mads Mikkelsen as an actor - particularly in a lead role. This is the third time I have seen him in a movie (others were A royal affair and Rogue One). All the other actors were very good too. One thing that irritated me was - frequent camera shots of one eye or just a part of the face, and the same shot of a dark plant over and over (didn't understand the significance of it)

I plan to see more Danish movies. It seems I like them.

 

[cocotaffy]

I saw a Danish movie 'After the wedding' on DVD this weekend. Very good movie, if you leave out the major coincidence it is based on. Regardless, I was totally absorbed in the story and couldn't move away for a second. I have really grown to like Mads Mikkelsen as an actor - particularly in a lead role. This is the third time I have seen him in a movie (others were A royal affair and Rogue One). All the other actors were very good too. One thing that irritated me was - frequent camera shots of one eye or just a part of the face, and the same shot of a dark plant over and over (didn't understand the significance of it)

I plan to see more Danish movies. It seems I like them.

Mads Mikkelsen is a really good and subtle actor, if you enjoy his acting and danish movie then I would definitely recommend The Hunt.

@PeterG , I've just watched Goodnight Mommy out of your list and what was that ???? I'm gonna have nightmares now. Such a creepy, morbid movie. Very compelling and stressful though. Who needs CGI to scare you ? I'm not sure I got all the metaphors but I'll certainly be thinking about this for a while.

 

[Seerek]

I saw a Danish movie 'After the wedding' on DVD this weekend. Very good movie, if you leave out the major coincidence it is based on.

Anders Thomas Jensen writes works predominantly in Danish but is transitioning more and more into English.

I remember watching Jensen's (co-written with Suzanne Bier) "In a Better World" a few years ago in the theatre (best foreign film winner at the Oscars that year).
Probably Jensen's most prominent English screenplay that he's had a hand on (thus far) was "The Duchess" from 2008.

For those that are interested, Jensen's part of the screenwriting team for this summer's "Stephen King's The Dark Tower"

 

[Vash01]

Mads Mikkelsen is a really good and subtle actor, if you enjoy his acting and danish movie then I would definitely recommend The Hunt.

The Hunt is in my Netflix queue, and quite high. I think it was nominated for Best foreign language film at the Oscars last year.

 

[watchthis!!]

‘Juno’ Reunion: Ellen Page and Jennifer Garner Will Lead All-Female Live Reading of the Script
http://www.indiewire.com/2017/03/juno-reunion-ellen-page-jennifer-garner-live-read-1201794728/

Almost ten years after the release of the film Juno, two of it's stars will re-unite for a live reading of the movie with the rest of the roles also being read by women. All proceeds of the event will be donated to Planned Parenthood.

 

[Wyliefan]

‘Juno’ Reunion: Ellen Page and Jennifer Garner Will Lead All-Female Live Reading of the Script
http://www.indiewire.com/2017/03/juno-reunion-ellen-page-jennifer-garner-live-read-1201794728/

Almost ten years after the release of the film Juno, two of it's stars will re-unite for a live reading of the movie with the rest of the roles also being read by women. All proceeds of the event will be donated to Planned Parenthood.

Given the subject matter, that strikes me as a rather odd place for the donations to go . . . but this isn't PI, so I'll say no more.