Saturday Evening Movie Thread [moviegique]: Pride & Prejudice (2005)

It is a truth universally acknowledged, at least by the (self-proclaimed) most die-hard fans of Austen that the '90s British miniseries interpretation of Pride and Prejudice is the best. This truth is so well fixed in the minds of these fanatics that your humble correspondent felt it necessary to defend the 2005 version, recently released on 4K and picking up another $6M at the box office.

Imagine my delight in discovering that most of you didn't feel that such a defense was necessary. But let's be honest: You're morons.

And, let's be honest further: I like hearing myself speak. Or type as the case may be. So let's look at why this version is the best version of the Austen classic.

Caveat: There aren't as many feature interpretations of P&P as you might think, and only a handful if you eliminate the variants. The first video dramatization of any Austen novel was the 1938 television production of this book, which survives only in transcript form. It was constantly given an hour or two on TV, to say nothing of being a miniseries in '49, '52, '57, '61, etc., until the 1980 "Masterpiece Theater" version (which has a ridiculously lurid playbill). Then nobody touched it for fifteen years, when the BBC did its five-and-a-half hour version, which is the one fiercely defended by some. Since then, it's been butchered and reassembled and given zombies, set in modern day, and made a musical, and so on.

I've seen three versions of P&P. The other two being Bridget Jones' Diary and the 1940 version with Olivier and Greer, featuring the unforgettable exchange:

Elizabeth Bennet: At this moment it's difficult to believe that you're so proud.

Mr. Darcy: At this moment it's difficult to believe that you're so prejudiced.

I've looked at the 1995 version, but all BBC productions are so visually impoverished, I can't generally stand more than a few minutes of them if it's not something inherently cheesy like "Dr. Who" or "Day of the Triffids". I give the 1995 producers credit for using 16mm throughout, but it's still distractingly ugly, even re-mastered.

I do find it amusing that the 1995 fans praise its faithfulness to the book when the most famous scene involves Colin Firth getting dumped in a lake (not in the book). But this, perhaps ironically, is the point of tangency leading to my review of the movie.

Because I find the 2005 P&P to be the most faithful. If that sounds contradictory, read on.

Like, is the feminine leg going in the mannish-looking boot? Or coming out of? Since the leg is naked, are we to assume boots were put on first or taken off last? Does the leg have a shoe fetish?

The Experience of Reading

It is generally best, when watching a movie based on a book, to forget that the book exists. In fact, if one is a fan of the book, an argument can be made that one should probably just ignore the filmed versions altogether. I've never been able to bring myself to watch a filmed version of The Secret Garden. Most attempts at bringing Ray Bradbury to the screen are regrettable. And I rather loathe the Jackson Lord of the Rings movies, as a whole.

But the first of the LOTR movies, Fellowship of the Ring, is relevant here. It captures the feel of the Shire rather well. I thought it was okay in the theater, because I could see where Jackson was amping the story up and I could respect that. It made sense from a cinematic standpoint. I actually liked the extended version of Fellowship. (It was only when the second movie turned into Titanic with Superheroes that I got bored.)

So, the thing about Pride and Prejudice, the novel, is that it's exciting. Austen's wordplay is clever. Her plotting is tight, reliance on coincidence notwithstanding. Her characters, surely among the most privileged people to live (prior to the last 50 years, where we've all been privileged) yet nonetheless sympathetic for their plights.

It's natural for a filmmaker, particularly one who loves the literature, to want to put the book on the screen as-is—and yet to do so is to rob the story of its life!

Joe Wright's Pride & Prejudice, as a movie, reminds me of what it feels like to read the book, which is the highest commendation I can give a film based on a (good) book. It takes the experience of reading and manages to create a cinematic equivalent for a modern audience. Well, a "modern audience" back in 2005 which was not yet code for "insane sexually confused weirdos".

Each sister more beautiful than the last, but only if you arrange them that way.

Drama and Theatricality

The 2025 re-release of the 2005 Pride & Prejudice begins with a mercifully short intro from director Joe Wright talking about how he wanted to make his interpretation of the classic Jane Austen novel "gritty", but we can ignore that or, more charitably, reinterpret it as "using a word that artists have been using for the last 40 years to try to convince people that their art is somehow better for aping the worst aspects of reality."

What it means in practice is that the Bennet household is very lively. The staff is ever-present, if not addressed, and there's livestock and girls running amok and so on. The Bennet estate is both ridiculously grand (in modern middle-class terms) and almost shamefully run-down. Since the other characters (who are all higher class) live in the sort of sterile, dignified settings that radiate the kind of stultifying boredom this sort of drama is associated with, the victory here is that the audience appreciates the Bennet's circumstances but can also understand how degrading it is for the other characters (particularly Darcy) to have to associate with them.

The blocking is impeccable, as we are often treated to shots of narrow English hallways and small drawing rooms that still somehow manage to showcase five daughters at once. Joe Wright is so good at this, he manages to block moving shots well.

I have assumed that nobody can block static shots well any more because nobody dares leave the camera still. As such, the blocking in dynamic shots—which is infinitely harder—comes out as a slurry. (See your average Marvel fight scene.) But when Wright is tracking around a ballroom following Elizabeth, we can see the other characters moving in and out of the shot, and their feelings reflected in the brief moment on screen.

Intriguingly, Wright's next film, Atonement, uses all the same tricks to the same degree, and it's one of the worst cinematic experiences I've ever had.

But here, it means, the country ball is exciting. Exciting, but also rustic, in the aristocratic English sense.

When she's a ten but her sisters are all crazy.

"Modern Audiences"

Austen has become like Shakespeare, in the sense of being someone whose work is culturally significant, and also so familiar, that the variants on her work constitute their own kind of sub-niche. Particularly in the '90s and early '00s, you had things like Clueless and Bridget Jones' Diary and the like, you had the recognition that you could dress up universal aspects of the story in modern clothing quite profitably.

Where this novel "cheats" is in its overt emotionality. Keira Knightly's Bennet is too demonstrative and also bemused, like she's in on the joke, whereas she's usually interpreted as drily sarcastic and judgmental—the pride and prejudice that give the book its name. Matthew Macfayden's Darcy is instantly smitten and instantly repulsed by that, and the movie is not skimping on the sexual chemistry. Donald Sutherland's profession of affection for Elizabeth is overt, as is his bittersweet willingness to let her go. Brenda Blethyn's lugubrious Mrs. Bennet is very publicly gauche in ways that perhaps don't reflect historical reality.

Along those same lines, and to reference the camerawork again, this movie uses incredibly dated zooms. And by dated, I mean 1970-dated, not 2005-dated. Like zooming in on Charleton Heston at the end of Planet of the Apes dated. It's perhaps the only camerawork I think was overdone, as if Wright was worried people weren't going to get it. "Reminder: They're hot for each other!" Similarly, the tacked on victory dialogue added to the American version, where Mr. and Mrs. Darcy get to wallow in their victory is overkill (to me).

And to reinforce my hypocrisy, this kind of bombastic cinema is exactly what I hold against LOTR. It works for me big-time here, perhaps because the story itself is so low-key by modern terms whereas Tolkien's work is still high fantasy and doesn't need amping up. (Of course, this is my taste, and when Peter Jackson is done counting his billions, I'm sure he'll get right on toning things down a notch.)

"Let us picnic in yon John Everett Millais painting."

Production Values

Every shot in this movie is a love song to England. To a bygone England. A long bygone England, one suspects, never to return.

The main theme, an uncredited piece called Dawn by Dario Marinelli, evokes Beethoven beautifully. Wright's choice to set the story in 1797 (when the story was written) versus 1812 (when the story was published) allows him to break from the empire-waisted late regency gowns that were common in 1812. Ten years before digital took over completely, so shot on 35mm film.

The casting of Rosamund Pike as the more beautiful, kinder sister of Knightly is also inspired. Wright gets the most mileage out of Knightly's looks, which are peak, but she's just different enough looking that you can really buy that said looks combined with her personality would make her much less desirable as a romantic partner. The other daughters have all gone on to full careers where they've been allowed to be much prettier. Heh.

The whole affair is done with such energy and passion that it rivals the energy and passion of Austen's writing. In fairness, of course, this is a feature film and trying to compare it to a 5 1/2 hour miniseries (or anything of that length) is truly an apple-and-oranges comparison.

But I am skeptical that any feature of this length could capture the excitement of Austen as well as this film which has nothing to be ashamed of.

Mr. Darcy agrees with me.

Other films this past fortnight:

A Man And A Woman (1966): Claude LeLouch's smash hit with the recognizable theme song about a man and a woman who fall in love and...uh...have problems. There are some remarkable parts here and it avoids the ennui of the '60s French cinema but it's a little slow. Lelouch's last(?) movie is probably going to get a release here as there are retrospectives going on now.

Love Hotel (1985): I mean, sure, 50th anniversary of this Japanese "pink" film so why NOT show it at 10:00AM on a Saturday. No reason my art house can think of, so we trundled off to see this. The "pink" genre is uniquely Japanese and a rather disturbing mix of sex and violence which is too complex for a capsule like this. I would describe it as "okay with some standout elements".

The Shrouds: David Cronenberg is back! Again! I like this current era of his movies where he seems to have returned to form. Broody, paranoid techno-driven body horror. In this case, our hero (looking suspiciously like the director himself) is a widow who has come up with the smash-hit, can't-lose concept of putting 3D scanners in burial shrouds so you can watch your love one rot! We liked it, but as with Crimes of the Future, it's hard to recommend.

Monty Python And The Holy Grail (1975): The 50th anniversary 4K restoration is gorgeous (except for one sequence which was over-exposed beyond repair, I guess) and the jokes still hold up pretty well. Probably one you should watch at home unless you want the chant-along experience.

The Surfer: Nic Cage is back! Again! After last year's The Arcadian, The Boy and I were wondering if we were going to end up short-changed but no, The Surfer is 100% pure Cage. He's in every single scene as a business man who's going quickly insane after some Beach Bullies keep him from surfing on the beach he grew up on. But he gets better! Then things get worse! A lot of twists and turns and WTFs keep this interesting. Also: Australia.

Vulcanizadora: The sequel to 2014's Buzzard. Marty's back, and he's a bigger eff-up than ever. Overlong at 85 mintues, The Boy enjoyed ths more than I did, but I definitely showed growth on the director and acting front. (https://moviegique.com/2015/03/buzzard/)

Posted by: Open Blogger at 07:30 PM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Could NOT figure out how to link in time.

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books) at May 10, 2025 07:32 PM (asXVI)

2 There it is!

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books) at May 10, 2025 07:33 PM (asXVI)

3 I've never seen this. In any form.

Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at May 10, 2025 07:34 PM (b294k)

4 It feels like I'd rather listen to a Kamala salad speech than watch this. Maybe I shouldn't be so pig headed. Heck, I might get something out of it.

I withdraw my objection.

Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at May 10, 2025 07:35 PM (b294k)

5 I saw Let Me In which is an odd movie - sort of a "revenge through my vampire girlfriend" type movie

And the director added a Reagan speech to try to make the case that looking at evil as coming from outsiders as too simplistic even though it features a vampire moving into town...

Posted by: 18-1 at May 10, 2025 07:36 PM (t0Rmr)

6 Also, Movie Sign!

Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at May 10, 2025 07:36 PM (b294k)

7 my wife and kids love Pride and Prejudice

Posted by: Jeff Carter (@pointsnfigures1) at May 10, 2025 07:39 PM (ZiwLX)

8 Reactions:

1. The 2005 version is the only one I've seen. I remember liking it, but then I really have nothing to compare it to.

2. Though I of course knew who Knightley was, I had no idea who Macfadyen was until I watched "Deadpool/Wolverine" last year.

3. Donald Sutherland's actually the only character I strongly remember from the movie, because of how he bailed Elizabeth out of her first unwilling match. "You shall never see your mother again if you don't go through with this...and you shall never see me again if you do."

4. What, no love for "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies"???

Posted by: Dr. T at May 10, 2025 07:40 PM (lHPJf)

9 The Swedish original is better, "Let the right one in".

https://moviegique.com/2017/11/let-the-right-one-in-2008/

Posted by: blake (moviegique) at May 10, 2025 07:41 PM (asXVI)

10 Couldn't make it through the few paragraphs above. No way in Hell I sit through the entire movie. Let alone read the book.

Posted by: Fast Eddie Felson at May 10, 2025 07:42 PM (Wznjk)

11 I watched a film called The Woman on Peacock about a feral woman caught and caged by a family man who turns out to be not much of a family man. On the whole, not my cup of tea and very disconcerting.

Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at May 10, 2025 07:42 PM (b294k)

12 There is nothing I like about 18th century England.

I did like the movie Moll Flanders a lot. Very underrated in my opinion.

This is the type of girl power movies they should make.

Posted by: polynikes at May 10, 2025 07:42 PM (VofaG)

13 ... it's been butchered and reassembled and given zombies, set in modern day, and made a musical, and so on.

What's the title of the zombie rewrite?

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at May 10, 2025 07:42 PM (/lPRQ)

14 The Swedish original is better, "Let the right one in".
Posted by: blake (moviegique)

The CEO of IKEA has been elected Prime Minister of Sweden.

Now he has to assemble his cabinet.

Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at May 10, 2025 07:43 PM (b294k)

15 >>>I saw Let Me In which is an odd movie - sort of a "revenge through my vampire girlfriend" type movie

For some values of "girlfriend." (Read the book. Better yet, don't.)

Posted by: Dr. T at May 10, 2025 07:44 PM (lHPJf)

16 There is nothing I like about 18th century England.

Our ancestors weren't big fans either.

Posted by: Fast Eddie Felson at May 10, 2025 07:45 PM (Wznjk)

17 There is nothing I like about 18th century England.
Our ancestors weren't big fans either.
Posted by: Fast Eddie Felson

Was Master and Commander early 19th century? If not I'd like that. But nothing in a drawing room. What the heck is a drawing room anyway?

Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at May 10, 2025 07:46 PM (b294k)

18
Since the leg is naked

Looks like it's in a sock. I see no toes.

Posted by: Bertram Cabot, Jr. at May 10, 2025 07:47 PM (63Dwl)

19 Good evening everyone

Posted by: Skip at May 10, 2025 07:48 PM (ypFCm)

20 Was Master and Commander early 19th century? If not I'd like that. But nothing in a drawing room. What the heck is a drawing room anyway?
Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly

The very wealthy equivalent to your dad's sock drawer.

Posted by: Itinerant Alley Butcher at May 10, 2025 07:48 PM (/lPRQ)

21 Saw "The Amateur" last week.

I have to give it the naturalfake surprisingly good movie award.

It's an action thriller that stars the grotty little fellow that played Freddie Mercury whatever that Queen bi-op was called, sooooo I didn't have much hope becuz HE'S OUT FOR REVENGE!!! cuz some terrorists killed his pregnant girlfriend.

But, the character he plays is a grotty little computer wiz who thinks he's gonna gun-up and kill the bad guys, and you, the viewer's eyes start rolling, and then-

the movie surprises you becuz he is this grotty little fellow and he can't gun up without getting himself killed 3 seconds later, so-

he has to use his smarts and engineering skills to get the job done.

Imaginative kills, great plotting and direction, I was really surprised that I enjoyed "The Amateur" so much.

No sucker punches. Just a good, fun time at the movies.

Check it out.

Posted by: naturalfake at May 10, 2025 07:49 PM (iJfKG)

22 Was Master and Commander early 19th century? If not I'd like that. But nothing in a drawing room. What the heck is a drawing room anyway?
---

Yes.

Posted by: blake (moviegique) at May 10, 2025 07:49 PM (asXVI)

23 The Brits hid their copies of Penthouse in the drawing room ?

Posted by: Fast Eddie Felson at May 10, 2025 07:50 PM (Wznjk)

24 A drawing room is what our grandmothers would call "the Parlor"

Posted by: Kindltot at May 10, 2025 07:51 PM (D7oie)

25 Master and Commander takes place during the Napoleonic wars 1796 - 1815

Posted by: Skip at May 10, 2025 07:51 PM (ypFCm)

26 No sucker punches. Just a good, fun time at the movies.

Check it out.
Posted by: naturalfake at May 10, 2025 07:49 PM (iJfKG)

I had thoughts of seeing that, but I hesitated because I have a hard time envisioning Rami Malek as a protagonist. But I did see some positive reviews, so maybe I'll give it a wash.

Posted by: Dr. T at May 10, 2025 07:53 PM (lHPJf)

27 No sucker punches. Just a good, fun time at the movies.
Check it out.
Posted by: naturalfake

I admit I recently rewatch Nobody for the third time for just this reason.

Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at May 10, 2025 07:54 PM (b294k)

28 This is really a simple issue:

The reason people don't feel a need to defend the Colin Firth version against the 2005 version is because you have to be insane to think that the 2005 version is better.

Posted by: Just A Guy at May 10, 2025 07:54 PM (gPN9x)

29 I took Eris' advice and watched The Extraordinary Adventures of Adèle Blanc-Sec

it is based on French graphic novel but outside of the gaping holes in the plot and the fact that someone wanted really to do an Indiana Jones movie in French, it is absolutely wild.

Luc Besson may not be the best director in the world, but in many ways makes a prettier film than Guillermo del Toro

Posted by: Kindltot at May 10, 2025 07:55 PM (D7oie)

30 I never was a Jane Austen fan, sorry. Wildly overrated. Early example of DEI. If her books were written by James Austen, we never would have heard of her.

Posted by: Elric the Bladiest Blade at May 10, 2025 07:56 PM (aeiyZ)

31 Posted by: naturalfake at May 10, 2025 07:49 PM (iJfKG)

I’ll watch that tonight

Posted by: polynikes at May 10, 2025 07:56 PM (VofaG)

32 Early example of DEI. If her books were written by James Austen, we never would have heard of her.
---
lol

Posted by: blake (moviegique) at May 10, 2025 07:57 PM (asXVI)

33 Macfadyen was tom quinn from mi 5 (well until hes killed off in the 3rd season) hence he had this opportunity

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at May 10, 2025 07:59 PM (bXbFr)

34 The cinematography in this version is stunning. Matthew McFayden is a favorite of mine.

Posted by: Ben Had at May 10, 2025 07:59 PM (NVNRw)

35 Bah.... Bestest Pride and Prej?

Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.

Posted by: Romeo13 at May 10, 2025 08:00 PM (QAkQ3)

36 I never was a Jane Austen fan, sorry. Wildly overrated. Early example of DEI. If her books were written by James Austen, we never would have heard of her.
Posted by: Elric the Bladiest Blade at May 10, 2025 07:56 PM (aeiyZ)

That's a poor rationale for rejecting her books, unless you want to take the position that literally every female writer in history only became famous because of reverse sexism. Quality is a matter of individual taste, of course, but lots of men and women have found them highly engaging over the last 200 years.

And speaking professionally, I can tell you that many historians have found them invaluable for understanding the society and mores of Regency England.

Posted by: Dr. T at May 10, 2025 08:00 PM (lHPJf)

37 The Amateur has a very deep statey film like boune on steriods who can heller trust and for how long

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at May 10, 2025 08:01 PM (bXbFr)

38 Luc Besson may not be the best director in the world, but in many ways makes a prettier film than Guillermo del Toro
Posted by: Kindltot

There's a French actor who sometime works in English language films I like a lot. Vincent Cassel. I find him compelling in everything I've seen from him.

Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at May 10, 2025 08:01 PM (b294k)

39 Better than Sleep and Sleepability?

Posted by: Boss Moss at May 10, 2025 08:01 PM (8uoau)

40 Thank you for your analysis, Movieque . I surprised you liked it as the reaction of a number of men I know is similar to some men on here, “I’d never pick that up or watch it. Wildly overrated” . I have seen several BBC version series of it but I have only seen the Lawrence Olivier movie version of it and the movie With Colin Firth.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at May 10, 2025 08:02 PM (11Po5)

41 Luc Besson may not be the best director in the world, but in many ways makes a prettier film than Guillermo del Toro
Posted by: Kindltot

I loved From Paris with Love . Politically incorrect and I love it.

Posted by: polynikes at May 10, 2025 08:02 PM (VofaG)

42 Posted by: Dr. T at May 10, 2025 08:00 PM (lHPJf

Thank you very much for this analysis.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at May 10, 2025 08:03 PM (11Po5)

43 Nope. You have to put an awful lot of emphasis on film over video to decide this way. The difference in performances is staggering. And it's not Firth; Jennifer Ehle and Benjamin Whitrow are the real stars. (Really, the only non-outstanding performance in the BBC version is Bamber's Collins, which is all wrong.)

And the way the romantic scenes are handled in 2005 is more Bronte than Austen.

BTW, anyone who read O'Brien can see the very big influence Austen had on him.

Posted by: Eeyore at May 10, 2025 08:04 PM (1bNHn)

44 The cinematography in this version is stunning. Matthew McFayden is a favorite of mine.
Posted by: Ben Had

McFayden was in a recent film I watched with Nicole Kidman and Gael Garcia Bernal. Not what I expected.

Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at May 10, 2025 08:04 PM (fYlXt)

45 Besson can do fantastic soace opera once fifth element and then gritty noiresque action like the taken film

Valerian mighr have worked as a series but it needed semiotic theme subtitles

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at May 10, 2025 08:04 PM (bXbFr)

46 There's a French actor who sometime works in English language films I like a lot. Vincent Cassel. I find him compelling in everything I've seen from him.

====

Cassel is the lead in the aforementioned David Cronenberg movie, "The Shrouds".

Posted by: blake (moviegique) at May 10, 2025 08:04 PM (asXVI)

47 I never was a Jane Austen fan, sorry. Wildly overrated. Early example of DEI. If her books were written by James Austen, we never would have heard of her.
Posted by: Elric the Bladiest Blade at May 10, 2025 07:56 PM (aeiyZ)

That's a poor rationale for rejecting her books, unless you want to take the position that literally every female writer in history only became famous because of reverse sexism. Quality is a matter of individual taste, of course, but lots of men and women have found them highly engaging over the last 200 years.

And speaking professionally, I can tell you that many historians have found them invaluable for understanding the society and mores of Regency England.
Posted by: Dr. T at May 10, 2025 08:00 PM (lHPJf)
——-

I read the books. Like I said: wildly overrated. I never saw the movie versions, because I had no interest after I didn’t like the books. And I don’t give a shit about that period of English history, so I couldn’t care less how accurately the books portray it.

Posted by: Elric the Bladiest Blade at May 10, 2025 08:04 PM (aeiyZ)

48 Yeah, I liked P&P 2005
Also liked Sense & Sensibility 1995 with Alan Rickman and Northanger Abbey 2007

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at May 10, 2025 08:05 PM (rT96s)

49 The 2005 version of P&P is very good. I own it on DVD. Except that Colin Firth is Darcy and there shall be no other.

Posted by: screaming in digital at May 10, 2025 08:05 PM (Szews)

50 39 Better than Sleep and Sleepability?
Posted by: Boss Moss at May 10, 2025 08:01 PM (8uoau)

That star Merril Sleep?

Posted by: Romeo13 at May 10, 2025 08:05 PM (QAkQ3)

51 The premise of tge shrouds seems off putting even if diane kruger is in it

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at May 10, 2025 08:06 PM (bXbFr)

52 I mentioned Moll Flanders above. Anyone else watch that movie?

Posted by: polynikes at May 10, 2025 08:06 PM (VofaG)

53 Thank you for your analysis, Movieque . I surprised you liked it as the reaction of a number of men I know is similar to some men on here, “I’d never pick that up or watch it. Wildly overrated”
----

Not pointing any fingers here but there are certain shibboleths of modern masculinity I do not get. Not liking Austen is one of them.

Posted by: blake (moviegique) at May 10, 2025 08:06 PM (asXVI)

54 4. What, no love for "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies"???
Posted by: Dr. T at May 10, 2025 07:40 PM (lHPJf)

Very fun movie

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at May 10, 2025 08:07 PM (rT96s)

55 ...The difference in performances is staggering. And it's not Firth; Jennifer Ehle and Benjamin Whitrow are the real stars.
---
I agree with this. Definitely preferred his portrayal of Mr. Bennet to Donald Sutherland's.

Posted by: screaming in digital at May 10, 2025 08:07 PM (Szews)

56 Shatner and spiders tonight on Svengoolie.

Posted by: fd at May 10, 2025 08:08 PM (vFG9F)

57 You have to put an awful lot of emphasis on film over video to decide this way.
---

Almost as if cinema were a visual medium.

Posted by: blake (moviegique) at May 10, 2025 08:08 PM (asXVI)

58 Also, finished my annual viewing of Thin Red Line. It honestly gets better every year.

Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at May 10, 2025 08:09 PM (fYlXt)

59 I read the books. Like I said: wildly overrated. I never saw the movie versions, because I had no interest after I didn’t like the books. And I don’t give a shit about that period of English history, so I couldn’t care less how accurately the books portray it.
Posted by: Elric the Bladiest Blade at May 10, 2025 08:04 PM (aeiyZ)

Then, not to put too fine a point on it, what are you doing here?

Posted by: Dr. T at May 10, 2025 08:09 PM (lHPJf)

60 Why do people come on a thread about a movie they never watched about an author they think is wildly overrated or won’t read and say, “ I don”t give a shit”? Why don’t they wait for a thread about a movie they actually do “give a shit about”?

Goodnight all.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at May 10, 2025 08:10 PM (rBTih)

61 Then, not to put too fine a point on it, what are you doing here?
Posted by: Dr. T at May 10, 2025 08:09 PM (lHPJf)

You mean the movie thread? This is not a Jane Austen thread.

Posted by: polynikes at May 10, 2025 08:10 PM (VofaG)

62 Seriously? No one liked my joke at 14?

Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at May 10, 2025 08:11 PM (fYlXt)

63 Well film is a different medium no matter the adaptation its like a good translation

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at May 10, 2025 08:11 PM (bXbFr)

64 Har har

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at May 10, 2025 08:11 PM (bXbFr)

65 read the books. Like I said: wildly overrated. I never saw the movie versions, because I had no interest after I didn’t like the books. And I don’t give a shit about that period of English history, so I couldn’t care less how accurately the books portray it.
Posted by: Elric the Bladiest Blade at May 10, 2025 08:04 PM (aeiyZ)

Then, not to put too fine a point on it, what are you doing here?
Posted by: Dr. T at May 10, 2025 08:09 PM (lHPJf)
——-

Only people who agree with blog content are allowed to comment? I must have missed that memo. My bad.

Posted by: Elric the Bladiest Blade at May 10, 2025 08:13 PM (aeiyZ)

66 Seriously? No one liked my joke at 14?
Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at May 10, 2025 08:11 PM (fYlXt)

I did!

Posted by: Dr. T at May 10, 2025 08:14 PM (lHPJf)

67 I spent a night in Southampton's Dolphin Hotel, where Jane Austin celebrated her18th birthday in 1793. So I got that going for me (I wasn't at her actual birthday party).

Posted by: javems at May 10, 2025 08:14 PM (8I4hW)

68 Must watch Groovy movies
1. international film 'The Painted Bird'
2.Cartel take down movie 'SICARIO'
3. Rock concert: Adolf and the Hitmen perform
" I didn't do it. I was following orders"

Posted by: I was Gumby Damn It! at May 10, 2025 08:15 PM (ey6uh)

69 So let's look at why this version is the best version of the Austen classic.

Wrong! 'Harley Davidson and The Marlboro Man' is the greatest version!!

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at May 10, 2025 08:15 PM (byWhc)

70 Seriously? No one liked my joke at 14?
Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at May 10, 2025 08:11 PM (fYlXt)

Who will be the the Particle Board Chairman?

Posted by: polynikes at May 10, 2025 08:15 PM (VofaG)

71 So a rather less promotic gothic hero with musicak notes sinners seens to have nearly matched the thunderbolts

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at May 10, 2025 08:16 PM (bXbFr)

72 Only people who agree with blog content are allowed to comment? I must have missed that memo. My bad.
Posted by: Elric the Bladiest Blade at May 10, 2025 08:13 PM (aeiyZ)

I'm just saying, "I didn't watch the movie because I already knew it would be stupid, and I don't care about the viewpoint of those who did like it" is a weird way to take part in a movie-oriented comment thread.

Posted by: Dr. T at May 10, 2025 08:16 PM (lHPJf)

73 Shatner and spiders tonight on Svengoolie.

Twenty nine years ago I ran across that movie on TV well after it started. I didn’t know that at the time of course. Took me a good ten minutes to realize for certain it wasn’t a Star Trek episode.

Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at May 10, 2025 08:17 PM (EXyHK)

74 The book version of Shane by Jack Schaefer is excellent.

Posted by: Mark1971 at May 10, 2025 08:17 PM (Vj4xA)

75 Promoted (very cromulent) just goes to show you what happens when you write real characters and atmosphere

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at May 10, 2025 08:17 PM (bXbFr)

76 Why are you all cranky right now?
*hands out snicker bars*

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at May 10, 2025 08:18 PM (rT96s)

77 Response, and Responsibility was my favorite sequel

Followed by Convert, and Convertibility - A Financial Tragicomedy

Posted by: Kindltot at May 10, 2025 08:18 PM (D7oie)

78 Not sure ever sawxany version of P&P

Posted by: Skip at May 10, 2025 08:19 PM (ypFCm)

79 So a rather less promotic gothic hero with musicak notes sinners seens to have nearly matched the thunderbolts
Posted by: Miguel cervantes at May 10, 2025 08:16 PM (bXbFr)

It's almost like audiences have Marvel fatigue, or something.

Naaahhh.....

Posted by: Dr. T at May 10, 2025 08:19 PM (lHPJf)

80 When I saw that the 2005 movie had the Bennetts living with pigs in the house(!) as if they were flat-out peasants, and they turned formidable Darcy into a yearning wet mess, and I cannot Stand watching Keira Knightley jerk her chin in every single scene. She can no more act than an ironing board can.

My other issue with the movie was having Donald Sutherland as Mr Bennett after the absolutely note-perfect portrayal of Benjamin Whitten in the BBC miniseries. What was that accent??

But finally, for this lady, Colin Firth was a thousand times sexier in the miniseries then poor Matthew McFadyen was in the movie. I will grant you that the cinematography in the movie was gorgeous for the most part but yes, the overall tone was a lot more Bronte than Austen.

But there's no point in quarreling about these things because "chacon a son gout.".. It doesn't incense me that other people may prefer other versions.

Oh by the way, the Lawrence Olivier / Greer Garson version was absolutely Ghastly. And I have never seen Olivier mince around so much in any film. Painful to watch and Greer Garson, although a beautiful woman was about 15 years too old for the part. And much too mannered.

Posted by: Beverly at May 10, 2025 08:19 PM (MUbWj)

81 Also liked Sense & Sensibility 1995 with Alan Rickman and Northanger Abbey 2007
Posted by: vmom
---
Somehow I missed Northanger Abbey - I will have to find that - but after Darcy, Colonel Brandon is my favorite Austen hero. I adore Rickman's portrayal.

Posted by: screaming in digital at May 10, 2025 08:20 PM (Szews)

82 Emma and Northanger Abbey are at the bottom of my Austen list

Posted by: Ben Had at May 10, 2025 08:20 PM (NVNRw)

83 That could be it, one might think marvel adjacent becsuse black panther

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at May 10, 2025 08:20 PM (bXbFr)

84 I wish you had put that "loathes the LOTR films" up front.

It would have saved me some time.

Posted by: NCC at May 10, 2025 08:21 PM (N+xCD)

85 Knightley ismt terrible in black doves but largely overrated

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at May 10, 2025 08:21 PM (bXbFr)

86 Why are you all cranky right now?
*hands out snicker bars*
Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at May 10, 2025 08:18 PM (rT96s)

Like many millennials, I have no social life, and find it easier to have arguments with strangers on social media than to go about getting one.

*morosely but gratefully eats snicker bar*

Posted by: Dr. T at May 10, 2025 08:22 PM (lHPJf)

87 Expression is part of acting after all

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at May 10, 2025 08:22 PM (bXbFr)

88 Only people who agree with blog content are allowed to comment? I must have missed that memo. My bad.
Posted by: Elric the Bladiest Blade at May 10, 2025 08:13 PM (aeiyZ)

I'm just saying, "I didn't watch the movie because I already knew it would be stupid, and I don't care about the viewpoint of those who did like it" is a weird way to take part in a movie-oriented comment thread.
Posted by: Dr. T at May 10, 2025 08:16 PM (lHPJf)
——-

Didn’t say I didn’t care about other viewpoints. I just don’t agree with them. Any movie thread will have at least 25% of comments disagreeing. I’m not a fan of Prometheus either.

Posted by: Elric the Bladiest Blade at May 10, 2025 08:22 PM (aeiyZ)

89 Posted by: Dr. T at May 10, 2025 08:16 PM (lHPJf)

And on the flip side other people were questioning how people couldn’t like it or Jane Austen .

I don’t think either position is untenable. . It’s when people tell someone they’re wrong for their opinion.

Posted by: polynikes at May 10, 2025 08:22 PM (VofaG)

90 I'm not watching Shatner because I'm too busy not missing hockey.

Posted by: Archer at May 10, 2025 08:23 PM (IDphi)

91 Speaking of different medium georgianna (thevsource material for the dutchess) is night ans day

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at May 10, 2025 08:24 PM (bXbFr)

92 My wife loves Jane Austen but swears by the version which has Colin Firth in it.

I’ve seen two versions of The Secret Garden that I thought were very good; the 1949 and the 1993, and of the two I like the 1993 version the most.

Posted by: Tom Servo at May 10, 2025 08:24 PM (S+5p3)

93 Not pointing any fingers here but there are certain shibboleths of modern masculinity I do not get. Not liking Austen is one of them.
Posted by: blake (moviegique) at May 10, 2025 08:06 PM (asXVI)

I had a (hot) ninth grade English teacher who declared anything written by Tom Clancy was uninteresting to her “because those are books for men.” She looked as those of us reading The Hunt For Red October with sneering scorn.

Posted by: Catch Thirty- Thr33 at May 10, 2025 08:24 PM (vm8sq)

94 They should have castcatwell in that role instead of knightley

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at May 10, 2025 08:24 PM (bXbFr)

95 Bride & Prejudice 2004 is a fun cheesy Bollywood version

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at May 10, 2025 08:26 PM (rT96s)

96 62 Seriously? No one liked my joke at 14?
Posted by: Blutarski,

It kind of tee'd itself up for you. (call back to previous thread!)

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at May 10, 2025 08:26 PM (byWhc)

97 Valerian mighr have worked as a series but it needed semiotic theme subtitles
Posted by: Miguel cervantes at May 10, 2025 08:04 PM (bXbFr)

Valerian was a condensation of a lot of plots and ideas, and Besson would have been served better by trying to tie it together with a central theme. If he had changed the final confrontation with the admiral to a discussion on loyalty and responsibility subordinates instead of the Admiral trying to weasel out of responsibility, to tie it to the initial scenes of Valerian telling Laureline that he was always there for her as a way to try to seduce her, it would have been no darker, and would have made a better reflection on cost of that goal. It would have turned it from well filmed drivel to a fairly punchy payoff.

Posted by: Kindltot at May 10, 2025 08:26 PM (D7oie)

98 Luc Besson may not be the best director in the world, but in many ways makes a prettier film than Guillermo del Toro
Posted by: Kindltot at May 10, 2025 07:55 PM (D7oie)

I wanted to like The Fifth Element, but it was bonkers. Too bonkers.

Posted by: Catch Thirty- Thr33 at May 10, 2025 08:26 PM (vm8sq)

99 Sense and Sensibility needed more exploding starships.

Posted by: Archer at May 10, 2025 08:26 PM (IDphi)

100 Didn’t say I didn’t care about other viewpoints. I just don’t agree with them. Any movie thread will have at least 25% of comments disagreeing. I’m not a fan of Prometheus either.
Posted by: Elric the Bladiest Blade at May 10, 2025 08:22 PM (aeiyZ)

Careful. Don't say Prometheus three times or TJM will appear. Oh damn

Posted by: Dr. T at May 10, 2025 08:26 PM (lHPJf)

101 I mentioned Moll Flanders above. Anyone else watch that movie?
Posted by: polynikes at May 10, 2025 08:06 PM (VofaG)

I read the book. It is sort of an inversion of the Picaresque genre.

Posted by: Kindltot at May 10, 2025 08:28 PM (D7oie)

102 Unlike fifth element there was just way to much to digest plus dehaan as an action hero how did they come to that conclusion

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at May 10, 2025 08:28 PM (bXbFr)

103 93 Not pointing any fingers here but there are certain shibboleths of modern masculinity I do not get. Not liking Austen is one of them.
Posted by: blake (moviegique) at May 10, 2025 08:06 PM (asXVI)

I had a (hot) ninth grade English teacher who declared anything written by Tom Clancy was uninteresting to her “because those are books for men.” She looked as those of us reading The Hunt For Red October with sneering scorn.
Posted by: Catch Thirty- Thr33

I hope the next two books you read were 'Cardinal of the Kremlin' and 'Red Storm Rising' (his best book). Spite reading!!

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at May 10, 2025 08:29 PM (byWhc)

104 I had a (hot) ninth grade English teacher who declared anything written by Tom Clancy was uninteresting to her “because those are books for men.” She looked as those of us reading The Hunt For Red October with sneering scorn.
Posted by: Catch Thirty- Thr33 at May 10, 2025 08:24 PM (vm8sq)

Except for the sneering scorn she was right IMO. Of course there are exceptions on both sides.

Posted by: polynikes at May 10, 2025 08:29 PM (VofaG)

105 To me 5th Element is the most fun sci/fi movie ever made! Not the best; but the most fun.

Posted by: Tom Servo at May 10, 2025 08:29 PM (S+5p3)

106 I loved The Fifth Element! Fun movie!

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at May 10, 2025 08:30 PM (byWhc)

107 The most recent Emma (2020) with anime eyes Taylor Joy is actually quite funny - it's directed as a mannered farce and I enjoyed it a lot.

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at May 10, 2025 08:30 PM (rT96s)

108 mentioned Moll Flanders above. Anyone else watch that movie?
Posted by: polynikes at May 10, 2025 08:06 PM (VofaG)

I read the book. It is sort of an inversion of the Picaresque genre.
Posted by: Kindltot at May 10, 2025 08:28 PM (D7oie

I didn’t read the book but it’s safe to assume there were probably a lot of differences.

Posted by: polynikes at May 10, 2025 08:30 PM (VofaG)

109 And delavigne seemsed bored

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at May 10, 2025 08:31 PM (bXbFr)

110 I wanted to like The Fifth Element, but it was bonkers. Too bonkers.
Posted by: Catch Thirty- Thr33 at May 10, 2025 08:26 PM (vm8sq)

I do like The Fifth Element, but "bonkers" is the right word for it.

The way I think of it, it's less about the plot and more about the world-building. Which I do find interesting.

Posted by: Dr. T at May 10, 2025 08:31 PM (lHPJf)

111 P&P may be your cup of tea. It isn’t mine. And that’s OK.

Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at May 10, 2025 08:31 PM (vm8sq)

112 The advice to forget about the book when watching a movie adaptation of the book is good. I really wish I could have done that when I first saw Jurassic Park (I'd read the book less than a year before the movie came out). The various changes to the movie, especially the decision to turn John Hammond into a kindly grandfather rather than a smarmy huckster really turned me off, though. Also Nedry's death in the movie was the death scene for Hammond in the book. Bleh. I've been able to enjoy subsequent viewings of the movie, though.

Posted by: Farquad at May 10, 2025 08:32 PM (bwvMs)

113 I had a (hot) ninth grade English teacher who declared anything written by Tom Clancy was uninteresting to her “because those are books for men.”
----

Nothing wrong with that.

---
She looked as those of us reading The Hunt For Red October with sneering scorn.
----
That's wrong.

Saying that it's not for her is savvy. Then scorning the target demo for liking it is dopey.

I don't know why this topic made people cranky and I'm surprised at the level of crank it brought out.

Obviously I don't expect people to agree. But as I point out, I loathe the LOTR movies, which puts me in a moviegoing minority.

Posted by: blake (moviegique) at May 10, 2025 08:33 PM (asXVI)

114 There’s a scene in a Red Dwarf episode where Lister, Rimmer and Cat are lounging around in Digital Jane Austen world, having tea and crumpets, and Kryten is irked at being ignored, so he programs in a battle tank that he can ride in on and smash their tea party to bits, after which he says “Dinner is Served.”

Posted by: Tom Servo at May 10, 2025 08:34 PM (S+5p3)

115 Sense and Sensibility needed more exploding starships.
Posted by: Archer at May 10, 2025 08:26 PM (IDphi)

You will want to read David Webber's Honor Harrington series.

Posted by: Kindltot at May 10, 2025 08:34 PM (D7oie)

116 I love period movies.

I watched Pride + Prejudice + Zombies and quite enjoyed it (just rolling with the girl power fighting).

Now to read comments.

Posted by: Iris at May 10, 2025 08:35 PM (bOJ2I)

117 I like 5th Element well enough but it’s not one I watch more than a couple of times.

Posted by: polynikes at May 10, 2025 08:35 PM (VofaG)

118 100 Didn’t say I didn’t care about other viewpoints. I just don’t agree with them. Any movie thread will have at least 25% of comments disagreeing. I’m not a fan of Prometheus either.
Posted by: Elric the Bladiest Blade at May 10, 2025 08:22 PM (aeiyZ)

Careful. Don't say Prometheus three times or TJM will appear. Oh damn
Posted by: Dr. T at May 10, 2025 08:26 PM (lHPJf)
——-

I’m not sure if he really likes Prometheus or if it’s a running gag. I’m generally a fan of Ridley Scott and think the original Alien was groundbreaking. But Prometheus? Meh.

Posted by: Elric the Bladiest Blade at May 10, 2025 08:35 PM (aeiyZ)

119 And delavigne seemsed bored
Posted by: Miguel cervantes at May 10, 2025 08:31 PM (bXbFr)

I think that's just her usual expression.

Posted by: Dr. T at May 10, 2025 08:35 PM (lHPJf)

120 Except for the sneering scorn she was right IMO. Of course there are exceptions on both sides.
Posted by: polynikes at May 10, 2025 08:29 PM (VofaG)

Yes. Tom Clancy himself thought there would be no female audience for his books. No romance, little if ANY sex. So he thought the women wouldn’t be there.

In The Tom Clancy Companion (a book my parents got for me for Christmas 1992), in an interview he did with Martin Greenberg, Clancy said a third of his fan mail comes from women.

Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at May 10, 2025 08:35 PM (vm8sq)

121 Well she was in suicide squad

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at May 10, 2025 08:36 PM (bXbFr)

122 I like 5th Element well enough but it’s not one I watch more than a couple of times.
Posted by: polynikes at May 10, 2025 08:35 PM (VofaG)

Fifth Element was originally plotted out to be a trilogy.
Probably not enough plot there for that, but I would have been happy to watch it try.

Posted by: Kindltot at May 10, 2025 08:37 PM (D7oie)

123 Obviously I don't expect people to agree. But as I point out, I loathe the LOTR movies, which puts me in a moviegoing minority.
Posted by: blake (moviegique) at May 10, 2025 08:33 PM (asXVI)
——

I didn’t like the LoTR movies either. The books are great. The movies sucked.

Posted by: Elric the Bladiest Blade at May 10, 2025 08:37 PM (aeiyZ)

124 It's working!

Huh? British comedian refuses to book shows in the U.S. for fear of being jailed

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now With Elephants and Earthquakes! at May 10, 2025 08:37 PM (L/fGl)

125 You will want to read David Webber's Honor Harrington series.

Posted by: Kindltot

That would be a cool tv series

Posted by: vmom deport deport deport at May 10, 2025 08:38 PM (rT96s)

126 Posted by: blake (moviegique) at May 10, 2025 08:33 PM (asXVI)

LOTR movies are another just okay movies for me. I have watched only once and don’t bother to watch again when I come across them.

Posted by: polynikes at May 10, 2025 08:39 PM (VofaG)

127 I like Fifth Element. Totally bonkers sci-fi fun. Right, my fellow meat popsicles?

Posted by: Archer at May 10, 2025 08:39 PM (IDphi)

128 I tried to like Valerian; there was so much good stuff in it! I finally decided there were only two things I really hated - the guy who played Valerian, and his sidekick Laureline. And every line either of them said or any scene either of them were in.

Well that pretty much knocked out the entire movie for me.

Posted by: Tom Servo at May 10, 2025 08:39 PM (S+5p3)

129 I get the criticisms of Jackson's LOTR adaptation, given his omission of some scenes and particularly the way in which he changed some of the characters.

But I would suggest that, in 30-40 years, it will still hold up a heck of a lot better than most of the CGI spectacles that immediately followed it.

Posted by: Dr. T at May 10, 2025 08:41 PM (lHPJf)

130 Obviously I don't expect people to agree. But as I point out, I loathe the LOTR movies, which puts me in a moviegoing minority.
Posted by: blake (moviegique) at May 10, 2025 08:33 PM (asXVI)

I can, and do, appreciate the technicality and effort that went into LOTR. I in fact watch LOTR.

When I am suffering from insomnia.

I don’t watch the LOTR trilogy because, well, I never, ever got into fantasy as a genre. The closest I get, if you can call them fantasy, is The Iliad/The Odyssey. I tried LOTR but I had a friend of mine who thought it was a good idea to show me the longest version of The Fellowship of The Ring he could find. I lost all interest when the screen went black and a message appeared: Please insert Disc 2.

Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at May 10, 2025 08:41 PM (vm8sq)

131 I like it!

Also, the fourth Bridget Jones is the best Bridget Jones.

Posted by: TJM's phone at May 10, 2025 08:41 PM (GBKbO)

132 Jaws, Ben Hur and Diggstown the Movie was better that the book.

Posted by: Patrick From Ohio at May 10, 2025 08:42 PM (FCrpy)

133 The advice to forget about the book when watching a movie adaptation of the book is good.

-
What are some movies /books in which both the book and the movie are good but different?

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now With Elephants and Earthquakes! at May 10, 2025 08:42 PM (L/fGl)

134 I just read Pride and Prejudice. That is a riding boot, by the way. In case it hasn’t been mentioned 2343 times already.

Posted by: Piper at May 10, 2025 08:43 PM (p4NUW)

135 Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.
Posted by: Romeo13 at May 10, 2025 08:00 PM (QAkQ3)
=====
This.

Can pretty much guarantee that's the closest I'm coming to any version of P&P.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at May 10, 2025 08:43 PM (RIvkX)

136 They ceased the ceasefire.

Posted by: Boss Moss at May 10, 2025 08:43 PM (8uoau)

137 Jaws, Ben Hur and Diggstown the Movie was better that the book.
Posted by: Patrick From Ohio

Ben Hur the book is a mite wordy.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now With Elephants and Earthquakes! at May 10, 2025 08:44 PM (L/fGl)

138 Yes dehaan and delavigne they might as well be otdering expressos

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at May 10, 2025 08:44 PM (bXbFr)

139 The true Cage aficionado must attend the annual film festival "Nicolas Uncaged":

https://tinyurl.com/3p3tevzx

There's cosplay.

Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at May 10, 2025 08:44 PM (kpS4V)

140 There are more than a few movies that I absolutely love that the majority of people think are crap. And that’s okay.

And probably an equal number that I just don’t get the love it gets.

Posted by: polynikes at May 10, 2025 08:44 PM (VofaG)

141 But I would suggest that, in 30-40 years, it will still hold up a heck of a lot better than most of the CGI spectacles that immediately followed it.
---

Yeah, probably. Although I gotta say, when reviewing CGi-heavy movies, I'm not seeing a lot of aging well.

I love fantasy, at least some of it, and I'm afraid LOTR ruined the chances of me getting the kind of fantasy I like the way Batman (1989) ruined the chances of me getting a Batman I like.

Posted by: blake (moviegique) at May 10, 2025 08:44 PM (asXVI)

142 There are some things that bug me about Jackson’s LOTR, like how he deliberately misunderstood Saruman’s character; but they looked and felt so much like what I had always seen in my mind’s eye that I can’t help but love them.

Now one movie a lot of people like that I absolutely despise is Starship Troopers. That took one of Heinlein’s best works and shit in its mouth.

Posted by: Tom Servo at May 10, 2025 08:44 PM (S+5p3)

143 Boron is the fifth element.

Posted by: Boss Moss at May 10, 2025 08:45 PM (8uoau)

144 They ceased the ceasefire.
Posted by: Boss Moss

The curry wars version 2.0

Posted by: Archer at May 10, 2025 08:45 PM (IDphi)

145 I seen 5th Element enough times to say It's a fun movie.

Posted by: Skip at May 10, 2025 08:45 PM (ypFCm)

146 134 I just read Pride and Prejudice. That is a riding boot, by the way. In case it hasn’t been mentioned 2343 times already.
----

...there are horses in P&P?

Posted by: blake (moviegique) at May 10, 2025 08:45 PM (asXVI)

147 In The Tom Clancy Companion (a book my parents got for me for Christmas 1992), in an interview he did with Martin Greenberg, Clancy said a third of his fan mail comes from women.
Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33
---
I couldn't successfully make it through a Clancy book, but love the movie version of Hunt for Red October, as you know. Oddly enough, although I was a yuge fan of Harrison Ford at the time, I didn't like him as Jack Ryan. It pains me to say something good about Alec Baldwin, but I thought he was better in that role.

Posted by: screaming in digital at May 10, 2025 08:46 PM (Szews)

148 112 The advice to forget about the book when watching a movie adaptation of the book is good. I really wish I could have done that when I first saw Jurassic Park (I'd read the book less than a year before the movie came out). The various changes to the movie, especially the decision to turn John Hammond into a kindly grandfather rather than a smarmy huckster really turned me off, though. Also Nedry's death in the movie was the death scene for Hammond in the book. Bleh. I've been able to enjoy subsequent viewings of the movie, though.
Posted by: Farquad at May 10, 2025 08:32 PM (bwvMs)

Yes. In 1990 I made the mistake of trying to read It right after seeing the ABC miniseries. When I got around to reading Herman Wouk’s The Winds of War ans War and Remembrance, it was nearly three decades after seeing bits of the former, and even then, being too young to fathom what it was about.

Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at May 10, 2025 08:46 PM (vm8sq)

149 What are some movies /books in which both the book and the movie are good but different?
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now With Elephants and Earthquakes! at May 10, 2025 08:42 PM (L/fGl)

The Poseidon Adventure.

The movie cut out some characters and scenes I thought rather extraneous; the book gave the actions of the lead more moral ambiguity. Both good, but in different ways (in my opinion).

Posted by: Dr. T at May 10, 2025 08:46 PM (lHPJf)

150 3 people watch the same movie and you get 5 opinions.

Posted by: Ben Had at May 10, 2025 08:46 PM (NVNRw)

151 I liked pride and prejudice and zombies.

I get Darcy.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at May 10, 2025 08:47 PM (FAwNr)

152 Hey speaking of classic movies Pink Flamingos featuring Ms Devine is worth honorable mention...
She cooks a mean steak.. heh heh
Blech!!!

Posted by: I was Gumby Damn It! at May 10, 2025 08:47 PM (ey6uh)

153 I couldn't successfully make it through a Clancy book, but love the movie version of Hunt for Red October, as you know. Oddly enough, although I was a yuge fan of Harrison Ford at the time, I didn't like him as Jack Ryan. It pains me to say something good about Alec Baldwin, but I thought he was better in that role.
Posted by: screaming in digital at May 10, 2025 08:46 PM (Szews)

Totally agree.

Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at May 10, 2025 08:47 PM (vm8sq)

154 He was acting that one he was being a nice guy

Posted by: Miguel cervantes at May 10, 2025 08:47 PM (bXbFr)

155 It pains me to say something good about Alec Baldwin, but I thought he was better in that role.
Posted by: screaming in digital at May 10, 2025 08:46 PM (Szews)

Agreed. Just as begrudgingly.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at May 10, 2025 08:48 PM (FAwNr)

156 What are some movies /books in which both the book and the movie are good but different?
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now With Elephants and Earthquakes! at May 10, 2025 08:42 PM (L/f

They changed the ending to Captains Courageous.

The book is my all time favorite and I still thought the movie was great.

Posted by: polynikes at May 10, 2025 08:48 PM (VofaG)

157 I think Rosemary's Baby was a better movie than a novel.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at May 10, 2025 08:49 PM (RIvkX)

158 I couldn't successfully make it through a Clancy book, but love the movie version of Hunt for Red October, as you know. Oddly enough, although I was a yuge fan of Harrison Ford at the time, I didn't like him as Jack Ryan. It pains me to say something good about Alec Baldwin, but I thought he was better in that role.
Posted by: screaming in digital at May 10, 2025 08:46 PM (Szews)

Same. I picture him as Jack Ryan a lot easier than I do Ford. Baldwin may have gone off a cliff c. 2000, but he had some good performances prior to that.

Posted by: Dr. T at May 10, 2025 08:50 PM (lHPJf)

159 3 people watch the same movie and you get 5 opinions.
Posted by: Ben Had at May 10, 2025 08:46 PM (NVNRw)
====
Like every committee and board.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at May 10, 2025 08:50 PM (RIvkX)

160 28 This is really a simple issue:

The reason people don't feel a need to defend the Colin Firth version against the 2005 version is because you have to be insane to think that the 2005 version is better.
Posted by: Just A Guy at May 10, 2025 07:54 PM

I will give the 2005 version credit for being beautifully filmed but the cast of the BBC version was far better across the board. Mr. and Mrs. Bennett were the best. Also, I'm not a big fan of Keira Knightley in general or Matthew McFayden as a romantic lead. Colin Firth was simply perfect for my taste.

Posted by: Moonbeam at May 10, 2025 08:50 PM (rbKZ6)

161 2001 and 2010 were better movies (although I find 2001 odd) than novels.

AC Clark, like most hard sci-fi authors just feel off to me.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at May 10, 2025 08:50 PM (FAwNr)

162 There are lot of books that are better than the movies.

"Wizard of Oz" and "Howl's Moving Castle" are good examples of books and movies both being good. "Silence of the Lambs" is good in movie and book form.

Posted by: blake (moviegique) at May 10, 2025 08:50 PM (asXVI)

163 I just read Pride and Prejudice. That is a riding boot, by the way. In case it hasn’t been mentioned 2343 times already.
----

...there are horses in P&P?
Posted by: blake (moviegique)
---
Yes. In the 1995 BBC version, Jane goes to Mr. Bingley's house on horseback, in the rain, at her mother's insistence. When she inevitably catches cold, Lizzie famously walks (3 miles) to visit her. Also many carriage scenes.

There's also a (very brief) shooting scene!

And lots of cleavage for the Morons!

Posted by: screaming in digital at May 10, 2025 08:51 PM (Szews)

164 Three Days of the Condor was better than Seven Days

Posted by: San Franpsycho at May 10, 2025 08:52 PM (RIvkX)

165 Oh well talkin about mah movies:
Ya'll ever watch Fritz The Cat?
Lemme tell you that movie was the impetus for many Che Guevara wanna be chick hustlers.... YEP
Heavy Traffic is another story .. Google 'Mother Pile' Eww..

Posted by: I was Gumby Damn It! at May 10, 2025 08:52 PM (ey6uh)

166 151 I liked pride and prejudice and zombies.

I get Darcy.
Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at May 10, 2025 08:47 PM (FAwNr)

Lady Catherine was actually pretty awesome in that version. By far the best version of her.

Posted by: Tom Servo at May 10, 2025 08:52 PM (S+5p3)

167 Can anyone ever remember Harrison Ford smile or really laugh in any of his roles? And I’m not talking about his smirk smile or sarcastic laugh.

Posted by: polynikes at May 10, 2025 08:53 PM (VofaG)

168 If you have not seen Diggstown with James Woods and Lous Gosett Jr it's much better than the book.

Also DIE HARD was MUCH better Movie than the bood

Posted by: Patrick From Ohio at May 10, 2025 08:53 PM (FCrpy)

169 Lady Catherine was actually pretty awesome in that version. By far the best version of her.
Posted by: Tom Servo at May 10, 2025 08:52 PM (S+5p3)

It was the eyepatch.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at May 10, 2025 08:53 PM (FAwNr)

170 AC Clark, like most hard sci-fi authors just feel off to me.
Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at May 10, 2025 08:50 PM (FAwNr)
====
"Something is going to Happen. Something wonderful!"

Posted by: San Franpsycho at May 10, 2025 08:53 PM (RIvkX)

171 My worst book to movie movie is Shooter. They destroyed one of my favorite books. Next up is American Assassin.

Posted by: polynikes at May 10, 2025 08:54 PM (VofaG)

172 157 I think Rosemary's Baby was a better movie than a novel.
Posted by: San Franpsycho at May 10, 2025 08:49 PM (RIvkX)

Yeah well that's bourbon under the bridge baby.
-Zombie Frank Sinatra

Posted by: I was Gumby Damn It! at May 10, 2025 08:54 PM (ey6uh)

173 So, the lovely and mostly tolerant of my movie choices wanted to watch a nice soothing teddy bear of a movie, therefore-

I put on the new movie, "Nonnas" currently streaming on Netflix.

The story concerns a guy (Vince Vaughn) whose mother has just died. And, he misses her and his nonna's(grandma's) cooking. Things happen and he comes up with the idea of starting a restaurant where the cooking is done by real life Italian Donna's to give everyone a taste of the food they miss so much.

While you can predict every single thing that happens in the movie, you'll probably enjoy it.

BONUS!: Those of you who are 29 and over and of Italian descent are probably going to experience a huge nostalgia bomb. Especially, in the first 10 minutes or so.

A movie that just wants you to relax and let it pat you on the head and feed you some zeppole and tell you that everything will be alright.

Give it a watch. You'll probably enjoy it.

Posted by: naturalfake at May 10, 2025 08:54 PM (iJfKG)

174 "Something is going to Happen. Something wonderful!"
Posted by: San Franpsycho at May 10, 2025 08:53 PM (RIvkX)

The rampant pedophilia among sci-fi authors probably also has something to do with it.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at May 10, 2025 08:55 PM (FAwNr)

175 Rock concert: Adolf and the Hitmen perform
" I didn't do it. I was following orders"
Posted by: I was Gumby Damn It!

Nazi murderer discusses shooting Jews.

https://is.gd/ZMNJa0d

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now With Elephants and Earthquakes! at May 10, 2025 08:55 PM (L/fGl)

176 They totally destroyed Logan's Run

Except Jenny Agutter.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at May 10, 2025 08:55 PM (RIvkX)

177 Alec Baldwin is a rotten human being, but a pretty decent actor.

Posted by: Tom Servo at May 10, 2025 08:56 PM (S+5p3)

178 171 My worst book to movie movie is Shooter. They destroyed one of my favorite books. Next up is American Assassin.
Posted by: polynikes at May 10, 2025 08:54 PM (VofaG)

Get off my... planet...

Signed, Starship Troopers

Posted by: Romeo13 at May 10, 2025 08:56 PM (QAkQ3)

179 Yeah well that's bourbon under the bridge baby.
-Zombie Frank Sinatra
Posted by: I was Gumby Damn It! at May 10, 2025 08:54 PM (ey6uh)
===

Heh. That's good. I laffed.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at May 10, 2025 08:57 PM (RIvkX)

180 WoT has to be my most hated.

I cannot say rings of power, because at least that is more like a drunken retarded midget mime acting out a stage play next to Olivier's Hamlet.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at May 10, 2025 08:57 PM (FAwNr)

181 The bastardization Jackson did to LotR is unforgivable

Posted by: Skip at May 10, 2025 08:57 PM (ypFCm)

182 162 There are lot of books that are better than the movies.

"Wizard of Oz" and "Howl's Moving Castle" are good examples of books and movies both being good. "Silence of the Lambs" is good in movie and book form.
Posted by: blake (moviegique) at May 10, 2025 08:50 PM (asXVI)

The Princess Bride.... Movie was sooooo much better than the book.

Posted by: Romeo13 at May 10, 2025 08:58 PM (QAkQ3)

183 Linky mo worky.

Posted by: Boss Moss at May 10, 2025 08:58 PM (8uoau)

184 Lonely are the Brave.

Good movie.

Posted by: Archer at May 10, 2025 08:58 PM (IDphi)

185 If you like Rosemary's Baby recommend Apartment 7A, a recent prequel.

They did a nice job of prequeling.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at May 10, 2025 08:58 PM (RIvkX)

186 The Princess Bride.... Movie was sooooo much better than the book.
Posted by: Romeo13 at May 10, 2025 08:58 PM (QAkQ3)

This. The remake is going to suck balls.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at May 10, 2025 08:58 PM (FAwNr)

187 Posted by: naturalfake at May 10, 2025 08:54 PM (iJfKG)

The Big Dinner is a great movie.,

Posted by: polynikes at May 10, 2025 08:59 PM (VofaG)

188 So is the remake of Big Trouble in Little China if the Rock ever gets it off the ground.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at May 10, 2025 08:59 PM (FAwNr)

189 The Lord of the Rings Movies were far better than the books.

Posted by: Boss Moss at May 10, 2025 08:59 PM (8uoau)

190 CLINT EASTWOOD!!!!!
from For a Few Dollars More
to Hacksaw Ridge
and everything in between.
Well kiss my hairy ass.

Posted by: I was Gumby Damn It! at May 10, 2025 08:59 PM (ey6uh)

191 What about the zombies?

Posted by: Eromero at May 10, 2025 08:59 PM (LHPAg)

192 146 134 I just read Pride and Prejudice. That is a riding boot, by the way. In case it hasn’t been mentioned 2343 times already.
----

...there are horses in P&P?
Posted by: blake (moviegique) at May 10, 2025 08:45 PM (asXVI)

No, just riding... /wink wink... nudge nudge...

Posted by: Romeo13 at May 10, 2025 09:00 PM (QAkQ3)

193 This. The remake is going to suck balls.
Posted by: Aetius451AD
---
They are remaking the Princess Bride? Inconceivable!

Posted by: screaming in digital at May 10, 2025 09:00 PM (Szews)

194 WoT - world of tanks?

Posted by: Tom Servo at May 10, 2025 09:00 PM (S+5p3)

195 "Something is going to Happen. Something wonderful!"
Posted by: San Franpsycho at May 10, 2025 08:53 PM (RIvkX)

“You must leave in three days.”

Sadly, I have only seen MMX, not MMI.

Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at May 10, 2025 09:00 PM (vm8sq)

196 I read the book so I can tear the shit out of this movie compared to I never read the book so this is entertaining

Posted by: Ben Had at May 10, 2025 09:00 PM (NVNRw)

197 I put on the new movie, "Nonnas" currently streaming on Netflix.
Posted by: naturalfake

JJ had this in his linkies I think just yesterday. I'll give it a watch. After Banana Ball.

Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at May 10, 2025 09:00 PM (fYlXt)

198 173- A movie that just wants you to relax and let it pat you on the head and feed you some zeppole and tell you that everything will be alright.

Give it a watch. You'll probably enjoy it.
Posted by: naturalfake at May 10, 2025 08:54 PM

I just watched the trailer for that yesterday. I'm glad to hear you liked it. I'm going to try to watch it tonight.

Posted by: Moonbeam at May 10, 2025 09:00 PM (rbKZ6)

199 189 The Lord of the Rings Movies were far better than the books.
Posted by: Boss Moss at May 10, 2025 08:59 PM (8uoau)

SACRILEGE!!!! Throw him in Mt Doom!!!!

Posted by: Romeo13 at May 10, 2025 09:01 PM (QAkQ3)

200 WoT - world of tanks?
Posted by: Tom Servo at May 10, 2025 09:00 PM (S+5p3)

Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan- which has never been made into an Amazon series.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at May 10, 2025 09:01 PM (FAwNr)

201 Who replaces Andre the Giant?

Posted by: Boss Moss at May 10, 2025 09:01 PM (8uoau)

202 The Lord of the Rings Movies were far better than the books.
Posted by: Boss Moss at May 10, 2025 08:59 PM (8uoau)

*stares*

*backs away*

Posted by: Dr. T at May 10, 2025 09:01 PM (lHPJf)

203 Sadly, I have only seen MMX, not MMI.
Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at May 10, 2025 09:00 PM (vm8sq)

*golfclap*

Well played.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at May 10, 2025 09:02 PM (FAwNr)

204 Can't watch the 2005 P&P tonight as I have Mother's Day gifts to finish up. But thank you for the review, it was well done.

Posted by: pookysgirl, dealing with a teething baby at May 10, 2025 09:02 PM (Wt5PA)

205 193 This. The remake is going to suck balls.
Posted by: Aetius451AD
---
They are remaking the Princess Bride? Inconceivable!
Posted by: screaming in digital at May 10, 2025 09:00 PM (Szews)

there have been a LOT of attempts by Hollyweird to make a Princess Bride part 2... and all the cast have fought it over the years.

Posted by: Romeo13 at May 10, 2025 09:02 PM (QAkQ3)

206 Who replaces Andre the Giant?
Posted by: Boss Moss at May 10, 2025 09:01 PM (8uoau)

Maybe they'll get that guy who played the Mountain in GoT.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at May 10, 2025 09:02 PM (FAwNr)

207 They ceased the ceasefire.
Posted by: Boss Moss at May 10, 2025 08:43 PM (8uoau)

Looks like they are going to try to set a new one beginning the 12th, per EFE.

Prolly gonna have to get their own people to agree to stop shooting first.

Posted by: Kindltot at May 10, 2025 09:03 PM (D7oie)

208 Lizzo plays Andre the Giant.

Posted by: Boss Moss at May 10, 2025 09:03 PM (8uoau)

209 There are limitations to film that you don't have with books. I would think that is obvious, but I guess not. I loved LoTR's, books and movies. The movies were BASED on the books, not exact representations. All that said, he f'd up The Hobbit. That was an obvious money grab. Could have made just one movie. You can read the book over a weekend. It's not long.

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at May 10, 2025 09:03 PM (byWhc)

210 208 Lizzo plays Andre the Giant.
Posted by: Boss Moss at May 10, 2025 09:03 PM (8uoau)

She has to finish up the movie she is starring in now though first...

Lead Character in... The Blob...

Posted by: Romeo13 at May 10, 2025 09:04 PM (QAkQ3)

211 Agreed Puddleglum, the Hobbit is unwatchable garbage for me. The elf-dwarf romance crossed the line and jumped off a cliff.

Posted by: Tom Servo at May 10, 2025 09:05 PM (S+5p3)

212 Have Muslims ever honored a cease fire?

Posted by: polynikes at May 10, 2025 09:06 PM (VofaG)

213 All that said, he f'd up The Hobbit. That was an obvious money grab. Could have made just one movie. You can read the book over a weekend. It's not long.
Posted by: Puddleglum at work at May 10, 2025 09:03 PM (byWhc)

Nah, when they turned the Hobbit Fight scenes into Looney Toons.... just wow...

I'm a die hard LOTR Fan... OLDDDD D&D player... I watched the Hobbit movies once, and will never watch them again...

Posted by: Romeo13 at May 10, 2025 09:06 PM (QAkQ3)

214 152 Hey speaking of classic movies Pink Flamingos featuring Ms Devine is worth honorable mention...
She cooks a mean steak.. heh heh
Blech!!!
Posted by: I was Gumby Damn It! at May 10, 2025 08:47 PM

I really liked that movie! I always think about the "stealing soap" scene. And Mrs. Gretzky was in it.

Posted by: Moonbeam at May 10, 2025 09:07 PM (rbKZ6)

215 I did not watch beyond the first hobbitt movie. It was obvious they were off their nut.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at May 10, 2025 09:07 PM (FAwNr)

216 212 Have Muslims ever honored a cease fire?
Posted by: polynikes at May 10, 2025 09:06 PM (VofaG)

They take their lessons from Moh... and the Koran... a Warlord who never honored any agreement with Kafir... even when it was not a religion yet.

Posted by: Romeo13 at May 10, 2025 09:08 PM (QAkQ3)

217 Nothing has ever matched the Hobbit book. The Movies were crazy.

Posted by: Boss Moss at May 10, 2025 09:08 PM (8uoau)

218 I'm a die hard LOTR Fan... OLDDDD D&D player... I watched the Hobbit movies once, and will never watch them again...
Posted by: Romeo13 at May 10, 2025 09:06 PM

Truth. I saw part one, and didn't go into a movie theater for another 12 years.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at May 10, 2025 09:08 PM (Wnv9h)

219 Does not foorget to ordor your Pope Leo FART Tubes befour they be seels out.

Posted by: Mary Clogginstein from Brattleboro, Vt at May 10, 2025 09:09 PM (VDY1a)

220 I should read Jane Austen books, but while I really enjoy books set in that time period and the society of that time, it just sounds like the books are made up of all the parts of the books I like that I want to skip or skim through.

Yes, Patrick O'Brian was heavily influenced by her books when he did his Jack Ashore sequences of the Aubrey-Maturin books but those were the slower and less enjoyable bits for me. Yes, I have read a zillion Andrew Wareham books that heavily lean on this time period and social activities, but he's more about the economics and technology of the time, no who wore what hat and how awful it is that Catherine cannot get a job.

There are a lot of really well-written books that don't interest me at all.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 10, 2025 09:10 PM (2VST1)

221 217 Nothing has ever matched the Hobbit book. The Movies were crazy.
Posted by: Boss Moss at May 10, 2025 09:08 PM (8uoau)

True story... I was in third Grade when Mom finally let me read 'The Hobbit'... and I was just about to the end, when my older brother told me of the Dwarf Deaths at the end...

I cried, and did not finish the book then... Yes, my older brother is both cruel, and a Liberal... go figure.

Posted by: Romeo13 at May 10, 2025 09:10 PM (QAkQ3)

222 Jane Austen books need more sword fights.

Posted by: Boss Moss at May 10, 2025 09:10 PM (8uoau)

223 Have Muslims ever honored a cease fire?

Only when they were losing.

Posted by: Fast Eddie Felson at May 10, 2025 09:10 PM (Wznjk)

224 Does not foorget to ordor your Pope Leo FART Tubes befour they be seels out.
Posted by: Mary Clogginstein from Brattleboro, Vt at May 10, 2025 09:09 PM

Pretty sure I missed a meme here. Someone want to put me some knowledge?

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at May 10, 2025 09:11 PM (Wnv9h)

225 My brother was sentenced to 11 to 13 years at NJ Penitentiary in Trenton in 1963. Just before he was due to be released to a minimum security farm he shipped his cell contents home. Among his belongings were books . I read two of them Johnny Got His Gun and The Godfather author Mario Puzo .
I never heard of a Jonny Got His Gun screen play but I do know Godfather movie 2 actually was where the book began. Dufus DeNiro was snuffed for the Santino role the James Cann so successfully played

Posted by: I was Gumby Damn It! at May 10, 2025 09:11 PM (ey6uh)

226 Jane Austen books need more sword fights.
Posted by: Boss Moss at May 10, 2025 09:10 PM (8uoau)

Hence P&P&Zs.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at May 10, 2025 09:12 PM (FAwNr)

227 I liked the old Hobbit animated movie quite a bit. But the new trilogy was awful. It had nice parts, and I watched a "we cut out as much of the crap as we could and made a shorter single movie" version but it still had a bunch of nonsense like the barrel scene in the river and the endless scenes of fighting the dragon in the mines. That gold river scene was so bad.

I did like how they portrayed Smaug, and the entire Mirkwood sequence was pretty well done. Although it should have been longer.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 10, 2025 09:12 PM (2VST1)

228 183 - what link isn't working?

Posted by: blake (moviegique) at May 10, 2025 09:13 PM (asXVI)

229 Rankin Bass.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at May 10, 2025 09:13 PM (FAwNr)

230 Jane Austen books need more sword fights.
Posted by: Boss Moss at May 10, 2025 09:10 PM

Pride and Extreme Prejudice.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at May 10, 2025 09:13 PM (Wnv9h)

231 Dufus DeNiro was snuffed for the Santino role the James Cann so successfully played

Can't recall a single Caan movie I didn't like.

Posted by: Fast Eddie Felson at May 10, 2025 09:13 PM (Wznjk)

232 222 Jane Austen books need more sword fights.
Posted by: Boss Moss at May 10, 2025 09:10 PM (8uoau)

Sir! May I point you out 'Pride and Prejudice and Zombies'

You may pick your style of Martial Arts, Chinese vs Japanese...

Never could figure out why there was no German 2 hand sword influence... but...

Posted by: Romeo13 at May 10, 2025 09:13 PM (QAkQ3)

233 Never heard of her.

Posted by: Elrond Hubbard at May 10, 2025 09:14 PM (VJc7E)

234 I do not blame Peter Jackson for how the Hobbit turned out, though. A lot of really good directors wanted to do the movie(s) and bailed when they realized that the studios were going to lean on it so bad that it would suck. I don't think Jackson was the guy who added in the hunky dwarves or the elf/dwarf love scenes. I don't think it was Jackson who put the interminable Bunny Sleigh scenes in.

I think he was buried in Producer notes and had to do the best he could with the crap sandwich he was given. Kind of like Raimi trying to make Marvel movies.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 10, 2025 09:14 PM (2VST1)

235 Can anyone ever remember Harrison Ford smile or really laugh in any of his roles? And I’m not talking about his smirk smile or sarcastic laugh.
Posted by: polynikes at May 10, 2025 08:53 PM (VofaG)

American Graffiti, I think

Posted by: Kindltot at May 10, 2025 09:14 PM (D7oie)

236 188 So is the remake of Big Trouble in Little China if the Rock ever gets it off the ground.
Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at May 10, 2025 08:59 PM (FAwNr)

They made it as the rock as being an adopted son of Kurt Russell Kim Katrell, He never believe any of the stories that his dad told and they go to the wedding of his longtime friend and chaos breaks loose.

Posted by: Patrick from Ohio at May 10, 2025 09:14 PM (FCrpy)

237 The hitlery one at is gd.

Posted by: Boss Moss at May 10, 2025 09:14 PM (8uoau)

238 Plus Jackson was dealing with the leavings of del Torro.

Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at May 10, 2025 09:15 PM (FAwNr)

239 They made it as the rock as being an adopted son of Kurt Russell Kim Katrell, He never believe any of the stories that his dad told and they go to the wedding of his longtime friend and chaos breaks loose.
Posted by: Patrick from Ohio

Will they have James Hong the Awesome, Mr Burton?

Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at May 10, 2025 09:16 PM (fYlXt)

240

English period novels should be sodomized in a dark alley.

Movies based on english period novels should be sodomized in in a dark alley.

Commentary on movies based on english novels should be gang sodomized in a dark alley while being filmed for later sale on the dark web...

Posted by: Just Sayin... at May 10, 2025 09:16 PM (Y48IO)

241 Plus Jackson was dealing with the leavings of del Torro.
Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at May 10, 2025 09:15 PM

Jackson flipped him. Flipped him for real.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at May 10, 2025 09:16 PM (Wnv9h)

242 They made it as the rock as being an adopted son of Kurt Russell Kim Katrell

I mean, Kurt Russel's literal son is an actor, he's the US Agent guy in the Marvel movies (John Walker, since they almost never use the comic book names in the MCU). HIs name is Wyatt Russell and he's pretty good.

I like the Rock okay but he's not the draw he thinks he is.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 10, 2025 09:16 PM (2VST1)

243 Can't recall a single Caan movie I didn't like.
Posted by: Fast Eddie Felson at May 10, 2025 09:13 PM (Wznjk)

I don’t seeing you liking Elf.

Posted by: polynikes at May 10, 2025 09:16 PM (VofaG)

244 Have Muslims ever honored a cease fire?
Posted by: polynikes at May 10, 2025 09:06 PM (VofaG)

Saladin, Suleiman, Khadaffi.

Posted by: Kindltot at May 10, 2025 09:18 PM (D7oie)

245 I do tend to like James Caan in movies, but yeah not Elf. There are a handful of actors who you can bet will be great even if the movie overall blows. Michael Caine practically made a career out of that.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 10, 2025 09:18 PM (2VST1)

246 Tarantino hasn’t made a movie in a while. Has he retired?

Posted by: polynikes at May 10, 2025 09:18 PM (VofaG)

247 I don’t seeing you liking Elf.

Posted by: polynikes at May 10, 2025 09:16 PM

It did have saving grace of Zooey Deschanel.

Posted by: RedMindBlueState at May 10, 2025 09:18 PM (Wnv9h)

248 I liked Elf.

Posted by: Boss Moss at May 10, 2025 09:19 PM (8uoau)

249 231 Dufus DeNiro was snuffed for the Santino role the James Cann so successfully played

Can't recall a single Caan movie I didn't like.
Posted by: Fast Eddie Felson at May 10, 2025 09:13 PM

Was "Brian's Song" his first movie? I remember that it was an "ABC Movie of the Week" back when the networks were actually capable of putting out excellent content.

Posted by: Moonbeam at May 10, 2025 09:19 PM (rbKZ6)

250 All that said, he f'd up The Hobbit. That was an obvious money grab. Could have made just one movie. You can read the book over a weekend. It's not long.
Posted by: Puddleglum at work at May 10, 2025 09:03 PM (byWhc)

Uh "Over a weekend" alrighty then because during four years of HS the Hobbit was what people read and recommended. Just sayin, Four Years vs a week end. What school did you go too?

Posted by: I was Gumby Damn It! at May 10, 2025 09:19 PM (ey6uh)

251 Tarantino hasn’t made a movie in a while. Has he retired?

I think he stated he was going to make x movies then retire, and he has one more movie in him according to that list.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 10, 2025 09:20 PM (2VST1)

252 And my comment was gone in a blink thanks to stupid keyboards and the policy here. Thanks.

Posted by: BeckoningChasm at May 10, 2025 09:20 PM (CHHv1)

253 If Jane Austin books had more sword fights maybe I would have watched one.

Posted by: Skip at May 10, 2025 09:22 PM (ypFCm)

254 https://is.gd/ZMNJa0d

That one doesn't work for me.

Posted by: Boss Moss at May 10, 2025 09:22 PM (8uoau)

255 The hardest task in cinema is to make a good movie that doesn't have machine guns in it at some point.

Posted by: azjaeger at May 10, 2025 09:23 PM (3/XaG)

256 Was "Brian's Song" his first movie? I remember that it was an "ABC Movie of the Week" back when the networks were actually capable of putting out excellent content.
Posted by: Moonbeam

I watched it about a year ago. I cried as usual. I was surprised that Caan called Sayers an N word. I didn't remember that happening.

Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at May 10, 2025 09:24 PM (fYlXt)

257 Can't recall a single Caan movie I didn't like.
Posted by: Fast Eddie Felson at May 10, 2025 09:13 PM

Was "Brian's Song" his first movie? I remember that it was an "ABC Movie of the Week" back when the networks were actually capable of putting out excellent content.
Posted by: Moonbeam at May 10, 2025 09:19 PM (rbKZ6)

Yes Jimmy Caan is still working and Brians Song with I think new comer Billy Dee Williams was a great tribute to Gayle Sayers..

Posted by: I was Gumby Damn It! at May 10, 2025 09:24 PM (ey6uh)

258 Period pieces can't fall back on car chases either.

Posted by: Boss Moss at May 10, 2025 09:24 PM (8uoau)

259 Bleeding heart sciency chick on the Svengoolie movie (Kingdom of the Spiders, 1977) just told the Sheriff that he should NOT use that "stupid DDT".

Shatner will save the day, even though the sciency chick rejected his immediate advances.

Posted by: anchorbabe fashion cop at May 10, 2025 09:25 PM (ufFY8)

260 "Look Who's Back". Is a terrific movie. Very funny.

Posted by: Archer at May 10, 2025 09:25 PM (IDphi)

261 The hitlery one at is gd.
Posted by: Boss Moss

-
Try this.

https://shorturl.at/wFUCc

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now With Elephants and Earthquakes! at May 10, 2025 09:26 PM (L/fGl)

262 Period pieces can't fall back on car chases either.

Master and Commander didn't need a car chase

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 10, 2025 09:26 PM (2VST1)

263 Is she wearing a lab coat?

Posted by: Boss Moss at May 10, 2025 09:26 PM (8uoau)

264 I watched it about a year ago. I cried as usual. I was surprised that Caan called Sayers an N word. I didn't remember that happening.
Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at May 10, 2025 09:24 PM (fYlXt)

It wasn’t done in anger or an insult IIRC

Posted by: polynikes at May 10, 2025 09:28 PM (VofaG)

265 256- I watched it about a year ago. I cried as usual. I was surprised that Caan called Sayers an N word. I didn't remember that happening.
Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at May 10, 2025 09:24 PM

I don’t know of many movies that can make me cry harder than that one. Even the theme song chokes me up. I think tv back then was capable of creating a national moment, and that movie was one of them.

Posted by: Moonbeam at May 10, 2025 09:29 PM (rbKZ6)

266 What can I say about 'Pride and Prejudice'?
My wife really likes it. And I love her. So I enjoyed it by proxy.

Posted by: Dr. Claw at May 10, 2025 09:29 PM (3wi/L)

267 2001 and 2010 were better movies (although I find 2001 odd) than novels.

2001 has a pretty poor and incoherent story in a lot of ways, but the film making is so incredible and the camerawork so unbelievable that it has to rank high on any best movie list. Some of the techniques Kubrick used are unbelievable and they resulted in images and sequences so jawdropping that they still amaze to this day.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 10, 2025 09:30 PM (2VST1)

268 261 Thanks. Worked.

Posted by: Boss Moss at May 10, 2025 09:30 PM (8uoau)

269 Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan- which has never been made into an Amazon series.
Posted by: Aetius451AD work phone at May 10, 2025 09:01 PM (FAwNr)

That needs to go into a real memory hole.

Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at May 10, 2025 09:30 PM (ufFY8)

270 I don’t know of many movies that can make me cry harder than that one.

-
The only movies men are allowed to cry at are Brian's Song and Old Yeller.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now With Elephants and Earthquakes! at May 10, 2025 09:31 PM (L/fGl)

271 264 I watched it about a year ago. I cried as usual. I was surprised that Caan called Sayers an N word. I didn't remember that happening.
Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at May 10, 2025 09:24 PM (fYlXt)

It wasn’t done in anger or an insult IIRC
---

No, it's a big bro moment.

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books) at May 10, 2025 09:31 PM (asXVI)

272 Yes Jimmy Caan is still working and Brians Song with I think new comer Billy Dee Williams was a great tribute to Gayle Sayers..
Posted by: I was Gumby Damn It! at May 10, 2025 09:24 PM (ey6uh)

Maybe I’m misreading. Cann died in 2022.

Posted by: polynikes at May 10, 2025 09:32 PM (VofaG)

273 They really effed up Terry Brook's novels in a streaming series.

Posted by: Boss Moss at May 10, 2025 09:32 PM (8uoau)

274 It wasn’t done in anger or an insult IIRC
Posted by: polynikes

No, Caan was motivating Billy Dee during therapy after a knee injury. In all honesty, it didn't really seem that bad since they were both laughing.

Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at May 10, 2025 09:32 PM (fYlXt)

275 The only movies men are allowed to cry at are Brian's Song and Old Yeller.
===

Very tempted to do a "tearjerkers" post.

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books) at May 10, 2025 09:32 PM (asXVI)

276 The only movies men are allowed to cry at are Brian's Song and Old Yeller.

True. True. Plus Passion of Christ.

Posted by: Archer at May 10, 2025 09:33 PM (IDphi)

277 Oh and Saving Private Ryan.

Posted by: Archer at May 10, 2025 09:34 PM (IDphi)

278 Billy Dee is on my all-underused actor list. A shocking number of them are black men.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 10, 2025 09:34 PM (2VST1)

279 The only movies men are allowed to cry at are Brian's Song and Old Yeller.

I also cry at the end of Breaker Morant.

Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at May 10, 2025 09:34 PM (fYlXt)

280 The only movies men are allowed to cry at are Brian's Song and Old Yeller.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now With Elephants and Earthquakes! at May 10, 2025 09:31 PM (L/fGl)

I have two more that choke me up.

The Champ - ‘ Champ wake up. Wake up Champ !

The Green Berets - Peter-Son ! Peter-Son ! Have you seen my Peter-Son !

Posted by: polynikes at May 10, 2025 09:34 PM (VofaG)

281 274- No, Caan was motivating Billy Dee during therapy after a knee injury. In all honesty, it didn't really seem that bad since they were both laughing.
Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at May 10, 2025 09:32 PM

If I recall, Billy Dee was telling the story of it at Caan's hospital bedside as he was dying. I don't think there was ever a scene in the weight room where Caan called him that.

Posted by: Moonbeam at May 10, 2025 09:36 PM (rbKZ6)

282 Being a huge Motown fan especially The Four Tops and The Supremes the movie Lady Sings the Blues cast Diana Ross as Billy Holiday piqued my interest.
Great Bio and cast. actually a shadow cast member Richard Prior who was 'Piano Man' role was played with soulful diligence even when he was beat to death by thugs collecting on Holidays heroin debt.... even now when I think of the scene I am emotional.. Prior was special

Posted by: I was Gumby Damn It! at May 10, 2025 09:37 PM (ey6uh)

283 Circa 1960, I saw a Yogi Bear movie in which Cindy Bear was captured and sent to the zoo. I cried like a baby. Of course, I was.

Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Now With Elephants and Earthquakes! at May 10, 2025 09:38 PM (L/fGl)

284 I cried watching that Robin Hood cartoon. Those hippos with poleaxes.

Posted by: Boss Moss at May 10, 2025 09:40 PM (8uoau)

285 Some reporter tried to get Tom Cruise to comment on tariffs and he said "we just want to talk about the movie." Dude is not falling for it. I swear entertainment reporters are just trying to get dumb and stoned actors to fall for saying something idiotic.

Posted by: Christopher R Taylor at May 10, 2025 09:41 PM (2VST1)

286 I also cry at the end of Breaker Morant.
Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at May 10, 2025 09:34 PM (fYlXt)

I will occasionally tear up watching Bluey.

Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at May 10, 2025 09:42 PM (ufFY8)

287 Some reporter tried to get Tom Cruise to comment on tariffs and he said "we just want to talk about the movie."
Posted by: Christopher R Taylor

I have to say that Cruise's discipline in dealing with the press, given his obvious weirdness, is impressive.

Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at May 10, 2025 09:43 PM (fYlXt)

288 Movies men are allowed to cry at?

Toss in I Never Sang for My Father, with Gene Hackman and Melvyn Douglas.

Posted by: Just Some Guy at May 10, 2025 09:43 PM (q3u5l)

289 Movies men are allowed to cry at?
Posted by: Just Some Guy

The Iron Giant. Oh! Here I go!

Posted by: Blutarski, Gradually then Suddenly at May 10, 2025 09:45 PM (fYlXt)

290 I swear entertainment reporters are just trying to get dumb and stoned actors to fall for saying something idiotic.

And most of them are only too eager to do so. Cruise seem to understand his job. I respect him for that and will let him know the only way I can.

Posted by: Oddbob at May 10, 2025 09:45 PM (/y8xj)

291 I'm going to show my wife this post. She's one of those P&P fanatics. When we were dating I watched her DVD 1995 collection with her. I actually ended up enjoying it. The language play is entertaining.

Posted by: SamIam at May 10, 2025 09:46 PM (oasF3)

292 248 I liked Elf.
Posted by: Boss Moss at May 10, 2025 09:19 PM (8uoau

Nice you rate right up there with is guy

I like Turtles.

https://tinyurl.com/3rnz3tta

Posted by: I was Gumby Damn It! at May 10, 2025 09:46 PM (ey6uh)

293 || I'm going to show my wife this post.

I apologize for any wives angered by this post.

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books) at May 10, 2025 09:48 PM (asXVI)

294 Yeah This and TRUMP put a 10% tariff on foreign made films
this week.

Posted by: I was Gumby Damn It! at May 10, 2025 09:49 PM (ey6uh)

295 Elf was funny. I think Bob Newheart was in it. Those commedians from way back there had better comedy chops. Carol Burnett and those two guys from her show. They put a lot of effort into it.

Posted by: Boss Moss at May 10, 2025 09:52 PM (8uoau)

296 250:Uh "Over a weekend" alrighty then because during four years of HS the Hobbit was what people read and recommended. Just sayin, Four Years vs a week end. What school did you go too?
Posted by: I was Gumby Damn It!

Its not a long book. Its very well written. Its hard to put down. It can be read over a weekend. I've done it. It's not the size of a James Michener novel.

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at May 10, 2025 09:52 PM (byWhc)

297 Movies men are allowed to cry at?
Posted by: Just Some Guy

'The Champ'
Wallace Beery-Jackie Cooper

Posted by: I was Gumby Damn It! at May 10, 2025 09:52 PM (ey6uh)

298 The Champ'
Wallace Beery-Jackie Cooper
Posted by: I was Gumby Damn It! at May 10, 2025 09:52 PM (ey6uh)

The remake with Jon Voight was very good.

Posted by: polynikes at May 10, 2025 09:54 PM (VofaG)

299 The remake with Jon Voight was very good.
Posted by: polynikes at May 10, 2025 09:54 PM (VofaG)

Little Ricky Schroder.

Posted by: Deplorable Ian Galt at May 10, 2025 09:58 PM (ufFY8)

300 Slightly off-topic, but for those interested, Resident Alien Season 4 premieres Jun 6 on USA and also still on SyFy.

Time to binge-watch the first three seasons again.
👽

Posted by: mindful webworker - tv series are like long movies, right? at May 10, 2025 10:00 PM (b/vRQ)

301 The first book-to-movie discrepancy I noticed was reading "101 Dalmatians" after seeing the Disney movie.

I was shocked as a 5th grader!

Posted by: Whitehall at May 10, 2025 10:01 PM (g35HS)

302 Your friendly neighborhood Saturday ONT is up.

NOOOD

https://acecomments.mu.nu/?post=414722

Posted by: mindful webworker - go for it at May 10, 2025 10:02 PM (b/vRQ)

303 i don't remember seeing Judgement at Nuremberg before. We just watched it! Great film. Montgomery Clift was a standout.

Posted by: Mr Gaga at May 10, 2025 10:03 PM (KiBMU)

304 ONT up

Posted by: Lurking Cheshirecat at May 10, 2025 10:04 PM (w3u3d)

305 Is Resident Alien good and worth watching? That could keep me busy for a couple of days.

Posted by: Boss Moss at May 10, 2025 10:05 PM (8uoau)

306 Not Clift, Schell. My bad.

Posted by: Mr Gaga at May 10, 2025 10:06 PM (KiBMU)

307 I couldn't successfully make it through a Clancy book, but love the movie version of Hunt for Red October, as you know. Oddly enough, although I was a yuge fan of Harrison Ford at the time, I didn't like him as Jack Ryan. It pains me to say something good about Alec Baldwin, but I thought he was better in that role.

Posted by: screaming in digital at May 10, 2025 08:46 PM (Szews)

I agree with this. Harrison Ford was too old for the role. He just didn't fit. William Dafoe as Clark in Clear and Present Danger was also an odd choice but it kind of worked. And the less said about Sum of All Fears, the better.

Posted by: Farquad at May 10, 2025 10:08 PM (bwvMs)

308 NOOD

ONT

CLUB DDD

Posted by: Helena Handbasket at May 10, 2025 10:12 PM (Vqx30)

309 "The Hobbit" is about 95K words, which is not huge, but somewhat larger than (e.g.) a classic mass-market paperback.

Posted by: moviegique (buy my books) at May 10, 2025 10:43 PM (asXVI)

310 294 Yeah This and TRUMP put a 10% tariff on foreign made films
this week.

Posted by: I was Gumby Damn It! at May 10, 2025 09:49 PM (ey6uh)

Won’t do any good, but OK. Hollywood’s wounds, like other industries, are self-inflicted.

Posted by: Catch Thirty-Thr33 at May 10, 2025 10:55 PM (aTimx)

311 The 2005 P&P movie soundtrack is one of the best of the past two decades. Perfectly evokes the time and catchy! I instantly know what movie it's from. There was a time when movie soundtracks did that well.

Authors smarter than me that defend the 2005 one, say it shows better than the beloved A&E one just how taboo-ish things really are, by pushing them to extremes that make sense for modern times. The first ball where Lizzy meets Darcy is loud, raucous, shows they're more wild and unpolished, which is as it should be. And Lizzy is walking everywhere -- walking miles in mud to see her sick sister just wasn't DONE. This isn't an era when elite women need to get their daily steps in; gentry don't walk. It shows how taboo what she's doing is, but then reveals the characters if Darcy and Lizzy in positively. Lizzy's love of her sis overcomes propriety, and stuffy Darcy admires it too. It's one of the first cracks in his armor.

The old P&P film of Olivier's just bad, if I recall. But the pride and prejudice and zombies needs to be burned in a fire. Seriously...massive zombie army attacking them in the POST CREDIT SCENE, then it cuts and the movie ends? Should be the movie climax.

Posted by: LizLem at May 10, 2025 11:02 PM (PB4Li)

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