Four. My mother was a lecturer in film studies so I didn’t have much choice. I remember being taken to see Alfred Hitchcock’s Stage Fright at four and being appalled at the blood on Marlene Dietrich’s dress; the image always stayed with me. When I saw the movie again years later I realised what a crucial plot point that was, it was both disturbing and comforting to know I was ‘getting’ Hitchcock before I could read!
He has always remained one of my favourite film makers despite the bloody dress.
Just saw Eating Raoul last night and really enjoyed it. Don’t know if it counts but Mary Woronov is a nurse before her career change to a serial-killing dominatrix!
I realise this question might be seen as blasphemous on a site like this but I ask it because I am a film lover. I have found myself recently much more drawn to TV series than to a lot of what is shown in cinemas. I am aware that what gets released in cinemas is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of most of the films produced (festivals always help to reinforce this for me). However, I have to be honest and say that I am rarely deeply impressed and affected by a movie at the cinema but am consistently challenged and excited but what I see going on in television.
TV shows that I have really been impressed with include The Wire, Homicide: Life on the Streets, The Corner, Generation Kill (all connected in some way with David Simon), The Sopranos (of course), In treatment, Arrested Development, 6 Feet Under (bless you, Alan Ball), Deadwood, Brotherhood, Dexter, City of Men (the Brazilian series).
And I forgot the mighty Twin Peaks of course, perhaps the best television show ever made…and by a filmmaker.
Also need to mention Hagai Levi’s Israeli series BeTipul, which In Treatment is based on. I do not agree that the best writers work in film, I think this may be changing. I believe there is a demand for more sophisticated, challenging and creative work in television and that this is starting to occur.
This can only help in raising the bar for both television and film as writers, directors and film crews work between both mediums.
This is a wonderful Australian film and should be included:
The Year My Voice Broke (Australia ,1987).
Director: John Duigan
Producers: Terry Hayes, Doug Mitchell, George Miller
Executive Producer: Barbara Gibbs
Screenplay: John Duigan
Director of Photography: Geoff Burton
Editor: Neil Thumpston
Cast: Noah Taylor, Leone Carmen, Ben Mendelsohn, Graeme Blundell, Lynette Curran, Bruce Spence
Synopsis: A coming-of-age drama set in country New South Wales in 1962. Danny (Taylor) and Freya (Carmen) are best friends and outsiders. Danny secretly loves Freya but she is oblivious and falls for the town rugby star (Mendelsohn). When Freya falls pregnant, Danny uncovers a secret the conservative townspeople would rather forget.
Won Best Film, Direction, Supporting Actor (Ben Mendelsohn) and Screenplay at the Australian Film Institute Awards in 1987.
Image link: http://www.afc.gov.au/images/puffs/yearvoicebroke.jpg
IMDb link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094347/
The book was better than the film/The film was better than the book: your picks.
I recently read the Day of the Locust by Nathanael West and then saw the John Schlesinger film (1975) with William Atherton Donald Sutherland and Burgess Meredith which was infinitely superior and took the text to places only hinted at in the book.
It’s rare I find a film better than the book it is based on….what are your picks?
Has anyone seen the Sergei Bondarchuk version of War and Peace (1968)? I have seen the King Vidor version (1956) which isn’t great. It would be hard to believe either could be as good as the book…
@ Jazzaloha
The Sergei Bondarchuk version of War and Peace is eight hours long and for its time still rates as one of the most expensive films ever made. The Battle of Borodino scene had 120,000 extras! It won the 1969 Academy and Golden Globe awards for best Foreign Film.
To me, only the Russians could have made a successful film version of such this mighty book, and I have been told that it is superb.
Leo can act but his baby face lets him down. I thought he was well-suited to the part and really excellent in the Aviator though (Scorsese’s last decent film in my opinion).
Last movie you saw and rate it over 2 years ago
Eating Raoul. 3.5/5
Go to Comment
At what age or what stage of your life have you really started getting into film? over 2 years ago
Four. My mother was a lecturer in film studies so I didn’t have much choice. I remember being taken to see Alfred Hitchcock’s Stage Fright at four and being appalled at the blood on Marlene Dietrich’s dress; the image always stayed with me. When I saw the movie again years later I realised what a crucial plot point that was, it was both disturbing and comforting to know I was ‘getting’ Hitchcock before I could read!
He has always remained one of my favourite film makers despite the bloody dress.
Go to Comment
Movies about nurses and doctors over 2 years ago
Just saw Eating Raoul last night and really enjoyed it. Don’t know if it counts but Mary Woronov is a nurse before her career change to a serial-killing dominatrix!
Go to Comment
Top Films of 2009 - so far over 2 years ago
1. District 9
2. A Serious Man
3. Che
Go to Comment
Top Films of 2009 - so far over 2 years ago
Oh! And Inglorious Basterds – how could I forget!?
Go to Comment
Films you love but most people hate. over 2 years ago
As Good as it Gets and….ehm….Titianic.
Go to Comment
The Auteurs Confessions over 2 years ago
I was bored in Samson and Delilah…I am Australian and saying that here is not the done thing, it’s on par with being a climate change skeptic.
Go to Comment
Films you expected to be great but were terrible over 2 years ago
Moon.
Go to Comment
Do you think more innovative and original work is being produced on television rather than film? over 2 years ago
I realise this question might be seen as blasphemous on a site like this but I ask it because I am a film lover. I have found myself recently much more drawn to TV series than to a lot of what is shown in cinemas. I am aware that what gets released in cinemas is just the tip of the iceberg in terms of most of the films produced (festivals always help to reinforce this for me). However, I have to be honest and say that I am rarely deeply impressed and affected by a movie at the cinema but am consistently challenged and excited but what I see going on in television.
TV shows that I have really been impressed with include The Wire, Homicide: Life on the Streets, The Corner, Generation Kill (all connected in some way with David Simon), The Sopranos (of course), In treatment, Arrested Development, 6 Feet Under (bless you, Alan Ball), Deadwood, Brotherhood, Dexter, City of Men (the Brazilian series).
Go to Comment
Last movie you saw and rate it over 2 years ago
Bright Star. Sentimental and superficial. Too many blossoms! 2/5
Go to Comment
Movies Teenagers Should Watch over 2 years ago
The Breakfast Club.
Go to Comment
Do you think more innovative and original work is being produced on television rather than film? over 2 years ago
And I forgot the mighty Twin Peaks of course, perhaps the best television show ever made…and by a filmmaker.
Also need to mention Hagai Levi’s Israeli series BeTipul, which In Treatment is based on. I do not agree that the best writers work in film, I think this may be changing. I believe there is a demand for more sophisticated, challenging and creative work in television and that this is starting to occur.
This can only help in raising the bar for both television and film as writers, directors and film crews work between both mediums.
Go to Comment
Memorable/Favorite Film Deaths over 2 years ago
Alec Baldwin in the spa in Married to the Mob: “Tony, I loved you like a father!”.
Go to Comment
most overlooked,underrated film of 2009 over 2 years ago
Che.
Go to Comment
Anyone seen a good comedy recently? over 2 years ago
I thought A Serious Man was a wonderful bitter-sweet comedy and one of the best Coen Bros’ films. It was very funny as well as poignant.
Go to Comment
(Temporary) Film database submission mechanism over 2 years ago
This is a wonderful Australian film and should be included:
The Year My Voice Broke (Australia ,1987).
Director: John Duigan
Producers: Terry Hayes, Doug Mitchell, George Miller
Executive Producer: Barbara Gibbs
Screenplay: John Duigan
Director of Photography: Geoff Burton
Editor: Neil Thumpston
Cast: Noah Taylor, Leone Carmen, Ben Mendelsohn, Graeme Blundell, Lynette Curran, Bruce Spence
Synopsis: A coming-of-age drama set in country New South Wales in 1962. Danny (Taylor) and Freya (Carmen) are best friends and outsiders. Danny secretly loves Freya but she is oblivious and falls for the town rugby star (Mendelsohn). When Freya falls pregnant, Danny uncovers a secret the conservative townspeople would rather forget.
Won Best Film, Direction, Supporting Actor (Ben Mendelsohn) and Screenplay at the Australian Film Institute Awards in 1987.
Image link: http://www.afc.gov.au/images/puffs/yearvoicebroke.jpg
IMDb link: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0094347/
Go to Comment
What's your favorite country (by cinematical standards) over 2 years ago
If were forced to watch only movies from one country, I would stop watching movies altogether. It would defeat the whole purpose for me.
Go to Comment
What are people's opinions of 2046 over 2 years ago
Too much style, too little substance, it left me a bit cold.
Go to Comment
Movies you hated that everyone else loves over 2 years ago
Avatar – LAME. And I’m not a film snob, I really liked Titanic!
Go to Comment
Ten Worst Movies You've Ever Seen? over 2 years ago
They were so forgettable I can’t remember!
Go to Comment
What's your definition of a "cinephile"? over 2 years ago
Does it matter?
Go to Comment
Book vs. film over 2 years ago
The book was better than the film/The film was better than the book: your picks.
I recently read the Day of the Locust by Nathanael West and then saw the John Schlesinger film (1975) with William Atherton Donald Sutherland and Burgess Meredith which was infinitely superior and took the text to places only hinted at in the book.
It’s rare I find a film better than the book it is based on….what are your picks?
Go to Comment
Book vs. film over 2 years ago
Yes, In Cold Blood was definitely a dead heat. Loved Shipping News, didn’t see the film as I heard it was a shocker.
Go to Comment
Good Bad Films over 2 years ago
I was shocked to discover I found 9 1/2 Weeks a bit of masterpiece!
Go to Comment
Good Bad Films over 2 years ago
Oh! And Anchorman, I love that film!! It’s hilarious with a capital ‘H’.
Go to Comment
Book vs. film over 2 years ago
Has anyone seen the Sergei Bondarchuk version of War and Peace (1968)? I have seen the King Vidor version (1956) which isn’t great. It would be hard to believe either could be as good as the book…
Go to Comment
Book vs. film over 2 years ago
Yes, Jazzaloha, it is interesting when filmmakers use books just as a ‘stepping off’ point and go on to create something quite new.
Go to Comment
Book vs. film over 2 years ago
@ Jazzaloha
The Sergei Bondarchuk version of War and Peace is eight hours long and for its time still rates as one of the most expensive films ever made. The Battle of Borodino scene had 120,000 extras! It won the 1969 Academy and Golden Globe awards for best Foreign Film.
To me, only the Russians could have made a successful film version of such this mighty book, and I have been told that it is superb.
Go to Comment
Book vs. film over 2 years ago
On books and films diverging, Lolita is another example, the book and the film being quite different but both excellent in their respective ways.
Go to Comment
The problem with Leo and Scorsese over 2 years ago
Leo can act but his baby face lets him down. I thought he was well-suited to the part and really excellent in the Aviator though (Scorsese’s last decent film in my opinion).
Go to Comment