The end with the lions was a bit sappy, but I liked that movie.
I would imagine most men might secretly like "Out of Africa" not for the wild game hunting and flying but for the independence of the Redford character.
I suppose some woman might not like it because the Streep/Dinesen character seems portrayed as a victim too much of the time (and, in real life, I suppose she was and the pain of life inspired her to be a writer -- certainly lots of material!). I found most of the characters seemed more like real people than most movies and the flying sequence is one of the most inspiring ever filmed (except for some in "The Blue Max). I've never found the film to be maudlin or an overt tear jerker and was touched by the final scenes. Not one I'd revisit more than a few times in a lifetime, however.
"Remains of the Day" is too pretentious for its own good even with two great central performances -- for some reason, the story seems too thin.
I found "Remains of the Day" mesmerizing. I think it is Anthony Hopkin's finest performance.
On the other hand, I've never wanted to see it after the initial viewing, which must say something, perhaps along the lines of Lightwizard's point.
Thumbs up for Zulu, though.
Out of Africa was more of a "is that all there is" kind of movie for me. Didn't hate it, didn't love it. Forgot about it on the way out of the theater.
(A Peggy Lee moment may be even more of a condemnation for a film than a movie you hate, which at least evokes some passion....)
"Zulu" made John Wayne's version of "The Alamo" (which the events bear a resemblance) seem like an exercise in tedium and looking like it was filmed with an old Kodak camera. Some of the greatest cinematography I've ever seen in the genre. They didn't have hand held cameras then but it certainly looked like it.
Close Encounters of the Third Kind.
Never got the big woo.
I remember an old Marsha Warfield joke about "Out of Africa".
She said they should have called it 'GET Out of Africa."
I'll go with Close Encounters. Crap.
Awww, you didn't like Richard Dryfuss building that huge mud mountain in his living room? It was left out of the Director's Cut.
I wonder about those who can only come up with one word reviews. Crap? What does that mean, exactly?
Not that I don't recognize "Close Encounters" was aimed at a general audience, Spielberg's inherent forte. He revisited this thematic material with the mini-series "Taken" and many believe did a much better transversal of the contact with aliens story.
Many of the movies mentioned I have not seen at all. When Close Encounters came on the television the early going did not build my interest enough to watch beyond the first commercial break. I guess it's too easy to become distracted watching on tv.
Another film designed for the huge Panavision screen and just falters on the small screen. The final arrival of the mother ship is totally lacking in impact, for instance. I'm not sure if anyone here saw the original theatrical release in a decent theater but it was impressive. It's now likely to fall on jaded eyes.
Terms of Endearment had a tremendous opening scene. When Shirley McLaine climbed in the baby's bed and said, "I think we have a crib death here"--shook the baby until she cried and said, "That's better."
I didn't like the Big Chill, either. Wasn't Kevin Costner the dead man?
Out of Africa was boring.
Anyone see The Naked Prey with Cornel Wilde? Fantastic movie.
Zulu--marvelous
truth
Don't laugh, but I loved Laura (Dana Andrews, Jean Tierney. I appreciate so much the use of shadows, especially those of daylight coming through window in many black and white films of that era.
Oh, Lord, J.L. "Laura is a face in a misty night, footsteps that you hear down the hall." Someone on A2K tonight wanted to know why they forgot movies. I loved Leave Her to Heaven, also, and I was just a kid. I remember every bit of that movie.
I thought Out of Africa was pretty boring and kitschy too ... (thats a two-word review ;-) )
he he! I liked ToTo's "The Rains Down in Africa better"
Thanks for some neat memories, Roberta.
Goodnight, from Florida
crap=boring, uninspiring, overrated, couldn't see what anyone raved about etc etc etc.
Greyfan,
If you find Remains of the Day mesmorizing (I did), you should read the amazing book.
I really enjoyed reading "Remains of the Day" and looked forward to seeing the film. Didn't work for me in that medium, however. Entirely too slow-moving to sustain my interest. Now, if I hadn't known the plot, it might've engaged me more. I might have been more patient to see how it turned out.
I skipped watching "The English Patient", I think, for the same reason. Enjoyed the novel, but couldn't imagine watching a film. Perhaps some novels are too literary. I think that may be the problem with "The Human Stain". Great book, but the film has been slagged...
Thanks for the tip, Plainold. I'll add it to my reading list.
I haven't seen "The Human Stain" but a lot of critics seem to think its problems were due at least in part to the miscasting of Anthony Hopkins. From what I've read at least, it seems they might have a point.
Been thinking about this one...pondering....then it hit me....Cabin Fever.
I thought it was so over rated it was unreal...not saying it was totally awful, but it was made unbearable due to the letdown I suffered...
It seems the films which are not hyped are infinately better...the Royal Tenenbaums for instance...nobody ever seems to have heard of nit, but I loved it. xx
nit? oh dear! lol...it I mean!
