Grown up day!

If you want a quirky documentary get Capturing the Freidmans. I also recently watched Spellbound, which is a documentary about the National Spelling Bee. It was very entertaining. I have a couple of movies I'm going to watch this weekend - Bubble, which is a Steven Soderbergh movie. Supposed to be a mystery thriller-type filmed using locals as actors. The other one is a documentary about Charles Bukowski caled Bukowski: Born into It.

I have seen "Capturing the Freidmens". That was a good documentary!

I have not seen "Spellbound" that is an excellent recommendation. I've read a lot about it and I had forgotten all about it.

I would love to see that crossword puzzle documentary too.

I've never heard of "Bubble", I'll have to check that out. Interestingly I was just reading a review of a new movie this morning about Charles Bukowski called "Factotum" that sounded really good. It's on at the movies though -- perhaps a different one would be a good alternative.

Mr. B typically likes lighter stuff. He loved the documentaries "Fast, Cheap, and Out of Control" and "The Eyes of Tammy Faye" though. He usually rolls his eyes at me when I choose a documentary but ends up liking them. Do you think "Spellbound" would appeal to him?

I saw the crossword movie at a theater. It's called Wordplay. I loved it. I'm a nerd, I can't deny it. They made the film sort of interactive. People were shouting the answers from the audience. Really cool.

Recommended elsewhere, "Akeelah and the Bee" as it's funny, poignant, inventive, sad, happy -- what a wonderful film.

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0437800/

completely out of the range you have given BUT-

Memoirs of a Geisha.

( heavy sigh )

it is a great movie.
More of a 'hormone' style movie, but none the less, it is worth the rent

boomer, I recommend Separate Lies

Wordplay! That's it.

When I was visiting my family in Texas recently my sister and I would sit down each morning and work the crossword together.

Ahhh. Bliss!

Sunday mornings I always cook breakfast but it is really just an excuse to piddle around with the crossword.

Ahhhh. Bliss!

My "review" function isn't working tonight so I'm trying to remember all the replies....

I hope I don't miss anyone.

I've heard of "Akila (?) and the Bee". I hate to say it but most of the reviews I read focused on some Pacific Northwest connection ------ produced by Starbucks? is that it? The reviews here were not so great. I DO trust Lightwizard more than I trust the paper here though - they seem to hate anything with any kind of local connection (unless it's Gus VanSant).

Your recommendation speaks spades. I'll have to check that one out, for sure!

"Seperate Lies", stuth(?). I've never even heard of it.

What leads you to recommend it?

Oooops - missed shewolf....

I loved that book! I came across it during a big Asia period for me and just loved it.

I had forgotten that they had even made it into a movie!

That might hit just the right note.... kind of romantic and all..... (Mr. B and I haven't had a "grown up" day in..... well ...... a long time).

Hmmmm........

Have a fabulous grown-up day!

I loved the book "Memoirs of a Geisha" too.

I saw the movie. It was a really good movie, but it didn't do justice to the book, in my opinion. Too much was left out. Isn't that usually the case, though, when you've read the book and then watch the movie?

Mr. M. and I usually enjoy a late dinner Saturday evening and sit down to enjoy a (hopefully) good video and some peace and quiet while the kids are out. We've seen a few good films over the past year or so. Not in any particular order, they are:

"Walk the Line", with Reese Witherspoon and Joaquin Phoenix. We're not fans of Johnny Cash, but the two stars were nominated for an Oscar. I think the picture was, also. That's why we rented it.

"The Constant Gardener" is adapted from a book by John le Carre. I think it was nominated for best picture, as well. It's a thriller with some excellent acting.

"Munich" we watched it because it was directed by Stephen Spielberg. It's based on the aftermath of Black September and the elimination of those deemed responsible for the massacre.

"Hotel Rwanda" is a true story about a hotel manager who tried to save Tutsis refugees from the Hutu in Rwanda. An excellent movie.

"Million Dollar Baby" directed (and starred in) by Clint Eastwood and starring Hillary Swank. I didn't think I'd care for a movie about a female boxer, but it's one of the best films I've seen in a long time. I think Hillary Swank won the Oscar for her performance.

84% on the Rotten Tomatoe meter, 81% on the cream-of-the-crop critics is a good recommendation for "Akeelah and the Bee":

http://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/akeelah_and_the_bee/

The naysayer critics on Rotten Tomatoes are nick picking on some really imaginary negatives.

Newsweek just put "Akeelah and the Bee" as it's must see this month.

I have heard that about the movie "Memoirs of a Geisha", mckenzie. That's probably pretty typical - good books make fair movies.

Ohh! "Walk the Line"! That is supposed to be good. And I've heard "Hotel Rwanda" is excellent.

When you go so long without seeing movies there is really just too much to chose from.

As far as the political thrillers, "Munich" is long and rather depressing but as a docudrama, it's expertly put together with what should have won an acting ensemble Oscar if there was one.

One from the "you'll either love it or hate it category" that fits with your criteria is "The Constant Gardener". I loved it, some hate it.

For some fluff, how 'bout Chocolat? It's a nice date movie.

I recommended separate lies because it is all of these qualities, and was pretty good:



...and because it is not extremely well-known, so I figured there would be a more modest chance that you hadn't already seen it.

Because I'm in the U.K.,you'll probably get this too late but W.T H.
The Constant Gardener and,if time allows,Memoires Of A Geisha which I absolutley love.Hope you enjoy your evening together :wink:

I would recommend David Mamet's 1987 film, "House of Games".

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0093223/

Very grown up. Very psychological. Just the kind of stuff that I love personally.

When you said "quirky" I thought " 'V' For Vendetta". It was different, and absolutely keeps your attention.

If you like wordplay, I thought the dialogue in Spike Lee's "Inside Man" was believable New York-ese and intelligent, especially for a crime/thriller.