MOVIES AT ST. MARK'S

NEW YEAR, NEW BLOG

2011-01-23T07:26:00.000-08:00

THIS BLOG IS CHANGING FOCUS TO PERSONAL FILM BLOGGING....SO THE NEW URL IS:
http://leslielovesmovies.blogspot.com/
Please come read me there. Some overlap is possible, but for now, I need the blog and the students don't. See you at the movies.

BEST FANTASY MOVIES OF THE DECADE

2011-01-23T06:39:00.000-08:00

I promise this is the last list I'll publish. I think this listing phase is a part of my progression from "teacher film blogging" to "personal movie lover blogging." So it is helping my change my focus. I can admit the Film Club blog was a failure, but mostly because we did not need it. Another group, another year, that may change. But for now, those hour long bull sessions after the movies are golden, though I am still not sure how we moved from the Karate Kid to visual physics jokes all over the white board at 6:00 PM>
So here is the list. I like most of the films on it, but do not see any justification for either Shrek movie on a fantasy film list. If you are going to add "cartoons" then why not go to anime and add Cowboy Bebop or Evangelion (both of which took me weeks to get over after the kids swore that I would think they were the best movies ever)?
http://www.bscreview.com/2011/01/best-fantasy-movies-of-the-decade-2000-2009/

QUENTIN TARANTINO'S TOP 20 MOVIES.........

2011-01-15T05:44:00.000-08:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OReP7WpbmIo

This list is inspiring. Of course, there are lots of foreign films I have never heard of, but I've seen 8 of them! I also love Unbreakable and The Host, so now I must be on a quest to see the rest.

BEST FOREIGN HORROR MOVIES: GREAT LIST!

2010-12-15T18:34:00.000-08:00

Check out the top five horror movies from around the globe:
http://bit.ly/euVt2H

BEST ANIMATED MOVIES FOR ADULTS! w/ reposted link

2010-11-26T09:56:00.001-08:00

GREAT LIST--Should we watch some? I teach Sita Sings the Blues for World Lit. We saw Spirited Away last year......do you like any of the others?

from the MORNING NEWS, Black and White and Read All Over

author Matthew Baldwin 1.15.11

HOW TIM BURTON DID DISNEY

2010-10-20T18:58:00.001-07:00

Tim Burton worked at Disney for a while in the 1980's. As you you imagine, he was NOT a good fit for Disney, which I guess has become a great thing for his fans. Here is a short video he made during the Disney days. You can already see his unique vision and perspective on life. And now we know he was just as mesmerized by Vincent Price as Michael Jackson was (remember the Thriller video).

10/10/vincent_tim_burtons_early_animated_film.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+OpenCulture+(Open+Culture)&utm_content=Google+Reader

WELCOME TO TIM BURTON MONTH: OCTOBER 2010!

2010-10-06T12:13:00.000-07:00

UPDATE: Here are the results of Thursday's poll:

1) BIG FISH October 14
2) The NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS October 21
3) a tie! Sweeney Todd and Sleepy Hollow: We can decide which to watch for October 28, Halloween week, later.
HERE'S A WEBSITE WITH THE LIST OF TIM BURTON'S MOVIES WITH GREAT PICS AND REVIEWS. YOU NEED TO PICK THREE MOVIES AFTER TODAY'S PICK, BEETLEJUICE, FOR THE REST OF OCTOBER --ballots on the table in Room 354--good luck getting your choices.

http://www.listal.com/list/tim-burtons-movies

also, for fun, I LOVE this scifi column and writer: http://www.filmcritic.com/features/2010/10/science-fiction-dream-movie-team/

One of Last Year's Favorite Movies...

2010-09-05T05:18:00.001-07:00

free on Hulu:
http://www.clicker.com/movie/bottle-rocket/

For those who love Hitchcock (like me).......

2010-08-19T12:44:00.001-07:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vATtwGZQO2o&sns=em

19things you did not know about Star Wars.....

2010-07-13T14:06:00.001-07:00

[Source: Online PhD]

MOVIES TO GET YOU THROUGH A FILM CLUB FREE SUMMER

2010-06-26T12:35:00.000-07:00

This is an open culture website, offering a great selection of movies free online: some of my very favorites are here.
http://www.openculture.com/freemoviesonline

too many great ones to make a list. You should try one! Miss you all.

Ten best movies made from Shakespeare's plays?

2010-05-14T21:21:00.000-07:00

Here is a link to the ten best movies adapting Shakespeare. Do you agree with their choices? Make sure to check the comments at the bootom for more choices!
http://www.reelzchannel.com/article/1028/top-10-shook-up-shakespeare-movies

The Future Soon........Jonathan Coulton

2010-03-05T19:00:00.001-08:00

20 highest grossing movies of the 2000s......

2009-11-13T17:45:00.000-08:00

More interesting is the chart of the 20 highest grossing movies from the film page (the top 3 each grossed $1 billion+ worldwide):
1. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
2. Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
3. The Dark Knight
4. Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
5. Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
6. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
7. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
8. The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
9. Shrek 2
10. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
11. Spider-Man 3
12. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
13. Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
14. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
15. Finding Nemo
16. Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
17. Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
18. Spider-Man
19. Shrek the Third
20. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
from kottke.org

http://kottke.org/09/12/films-that-inspired-directors

Most Overused Movie Trick Ever...

2009-09-27T10:26:00.001-07:00

at least since 2000. What did Horror directors do before cell phones? LOL

WELCOME TO FILM CLUB 2009!

2009-09-23T18:39:00.000-07:00

We can use this blog to review the movies we see--every week, someone in the club will review the movie, and others can comment. If you are interested in being a reviewer, post a comment below sign it with your initials and homeroom number. That way I can find you. You can also use the "comment" box to send me ideas for movies and projects. Welcome!

MY FAVORITE MOVIE THIS YEAR WAS...

2009-05-28T12:15:00.001-07:00

So which one of the 25 movies we watched this year was the one you will remember? Which one amazed you...or Mrs. Healey? Who would have guessed a teacher would sit still for Cowboy Bebop? (I really did like it). Add your vote for best movie of the year in the comment section below. Sign it with your initials only (fill in the line "name" on the comment form). One more movie to go, and then the long, hot summer(another great movie, original version).

Brett's review of 2001 A Space Odyssey

2009-05-08T09:57:00.000-07:00

2001 A Space Odyssey is a movie directed by one of the most talented directors of a time Stanley Kubrick. The movie was also written by one of the most famous sci fi writers of time Arthur C. Clark with his co-writer Stanley Kubrick. The movie was released in 1968 and was consider to be so visionary at that time for the special effects. The movie is mostly silent with limited talking and that’s what makes this movie so great with scene of before man with the monkeys. Also in space with the only sound you hear is breathing. But that’s just the half of it, there are so many great things Kubrick did to this movie.

Chapters of the movie
(Contains spoilers)

Chapter 1: The Dawn of Man
This part of the film has no dialogue, all the characters are prime apes. The movie starts out with scenes of the desert and show apes in colonies trying to live. A group of apes having a hard time and trying to protect themselves from predators such as a leopard who attacks a Ape as the others try to escape of the terror in hopes not to get attacked. The leopard only gets one and kills it, all the others run as they witness their friend dying.
Next they group of apes come across a water hole where there are other apes drinking from it. as they try to get water the other group of apes don’t allow it. So the apes go away in thirst. Later the apes go to bed and when they wake up they they find something strange so they go check it out. As the apes check it out and start touching it, as if they are little children who don’t understand, the black block does something to them. One ape that touched it found bones and picked one up and started hitting the bones as if it now knows how to kill with a weapon. The apes go to the water hole to get their revenge and kill the apes that drove them out. At the end the leader ape throws the bone up in the air and the scene transfers to space.
The meaning of the chapter was that Stanley Kubrick made it as if the apes at first didn't know how to kill with weapons and didn't know what to do when they got attack by predators. So Kubrick made it as aliens came down and put a black block A.K.A Monolith and as the apes touched it they learned how to kill.
Chapter 2:
(Contain spoilers)
Let me keep this brief, this chapter starts as the ape throws the bone up in the air and it transfers to Space. This Chapter follows the creator of the Discovery 1, Dr. Heywood R. Floyd played by William Sylvester and his travel to the moon for a discovery of the first alien finding on a planet the monolith. As he makes his way to the moon this is were Kubrick did some cool stuff like the flight attendant walking in a circle that spins all the way around and with no gravity she goes upside down as she walks to the upstairs. Dr. Floyd then goes to a conference and later heads to the monolith. As the group heads down to the monolith and start examining it, there's a loud noise and then the movie blanks out.
Chapter 3: Jupiter mission
Final chapter: Jupiter and beyond the infinite
Dave: Open the pod bay doors Hal.
Hal: I’m sorry Dave but I’m afraid I cant do that
And i'm sorry but the next to chapters are classified information!!!!
Just watch to find out.
This movie is a 10/10 for me.
Watch this film!!!

I AM SPARTACUS! Review by Carol Nicastro

2009-04-07T05:22:00.000-07:00

What is it about this melodramatic story that is so irresistible???? We all loved it, but why? Carol will enlighten you:

This past Thursday, we watched Spartacus, the exciting movie based on the true story of escaped slaves trained as gladiators led by the mighty Spartacus. In the movie, Spartacus is bought as a slave by a wealthy Roman politician and trained to fight as a gladiator along with many others. When the servant girl he falls in love with is sold, he makes an escape and is followed by the others. As they journey to Rome to fight the Roman army, they are joined by other slaves of all different sorts who wish to fight with them. Even the servant girl, who escaped from the carriage taking her to her new home. This movie is filled with the perfect blend of action, romance, and drama. I would definitely recommend this movie to anyone with a sense of adventure who likes to see a good battle!

ARE YOU STILL PARANOID IF SOMEONE REALLY IS WATCHING YOU??

2009-03-31T15:43:00.001-07:00

TOP TEN PARANOID FILMS ARE LISTED BELOW:

http://www.wired.com/entertainment/hollywood/multimedia/2009/03/gallery_paranoidfilms

http://www.wired.com/entertainment/hollywood/multimedia/2009/03/gallery_paranoidfilms?slide=2&slideView=2

SO DO YOU AGREE??? POST YOUR LIST AS A COMMENT. I AM NOT CHECKING UP ON YOU....AND IF YOU BELIEVE THAT, I'LL GIVE YOU AN "A" JUST FOR READING THIS BLOG.

WATCHMEN!!!!! Guest bloggers Adam Gawinski and Mike Mattucci deconstruct the movie:

2009-03-08T08:58:00.000-07:00

Yes, the long awaited film adaptation of “Watchmen” is finally here and it’s safe to say that it was worth the wait. Watchmen has long been considered the “Holy Grail” of comic books (though you’re not required to know your name, quest, or favorite color to read it) and has been considered un-filmable since it first came out in 1986. Then again, the comic book adaptation “Howard the Duck” also came out in 1986, so you can see what they had to compare it to back then.

“It’s a joke…it’s all a joke.”

Many directors have tried to work on the project and all of them said that the story was too complex and that there was too much story to fit into a single movie. Zach Snyder, director of “300” and “Dawn of the Dead,” has proven all of those people wrong with this movie, and yet at the same time proven them right with the Directors Cut being just over 3 hours. Take THAT “Dark Knight!” And even then, there were scenes Zach had to cut that he probably really didn’t want to. Something tells me if Warner Bros. gave him the thumbs up to make a 5+ hour movie, he would’ve been a kid in a candy store, while we all sit in theaters regretting that large Pepsi we downed in the first half-hour.

The plot of the movie is straight from the book. It takes place in an alternate 1980’s universe where Richard Nixon is in his 5th term as President of the United States. That sounds insane, of course, but our Nixon didn’t have the Comedian to cover up that pesky Watergate Scandal the only way the Comedian knows how…

“I am not a crook OR a murderer! Just thought I’d throw that in there too…”

It’s interesting to note that the only superhero in this film with any actual powers is the hairless glowing Smurf, Dr. Manhattan, who received the ability to manipulate matter after getting trapped in a test-chamber during a nuclear physics experiment. That watch he forgot in there better have been made of solid gold & diamond encrusted, or I’d say it wasn’t worth it. It didn’t even survive the explosion

After the public becomes tired of “masks” taking the law into their own hands, all acts of vigilante super-heroism were outlawed by the Keene Act in the 70s. The only two legally in action are the Comedian and Dr. Manhattan, who both work for the government: Dr. Manhattan making things, and the Comedian making things dead. The only one still “vigilante-ing it up” is Rorschach, a crazy paranoid detective with an acquired taste for uncooked baked beans.

The movie starts with the Comedian getting killed and Rorschach thinks that someone is killing off former heroes. Some of the retired heroes start to investigate as well, after several other masks start disappearing and they realize what every character in a movie like this realizes after a while “Hey, maybe the crazy person is onto something.”

Some people may complain because there were no “A-list” actors in the cast but for the most part the actors were perfect. The Comedian, played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan, and Rorschach, played by Jackie Earle Haley, are the highlight performances. Rorschach, who is basically the most popular character of “Watchmen” for reasons of sheer awesomeness, was portrayed perfectly, so we’d recommend this film for just him if you’re a fan.

Fun Fact: Jackie Earle Haley was also bad-boy rebel Kelly Leak in the original “Bad News Bears.”

“I’m not playing baseball with you. YOU’RE PLAYING BASEBALL WITH ME!”

Nite-Owl and Silk Specter, played by Patrick Wilson and Malin Åkerman respectively, also gave good performances. Dr. Manhattan’s actor, Billy Crudup, gave a good contrast from his awe-inspiring, god-like presence with an eerily human voice with no sort of editing done to it in post-production. He could do a Master Card commercial as Dr. Manhattan if he wanted to (Oh, by the way, he is the narrator for the Master Card “priceless” commercials…okay, now go back and read the joke again…There. Funny now? Good, moving on.).

The only actor probably worth complaining about is Matthew Goode, who played Ozymandias. They chose a very young and thin man to play the world’s smartest and physically fit man. He just did not seem to fit into that role. If they wanted a thin blonde guy to play him they should’ve just got David Bowie.

At least he wouldn’t be dressed like Ziggy Stardust.

Son of a…

Overall, the movie was excellent. The action had some slow motion, but it was done in good taste. By “good taste” we mean they’re fleeting moments that don’t really need to be noted upon, unlike “300” which probably would’ve been at least 5 minutes shorter sans shots like those. The amount of violence did seem a bit over the top though, and there is a sex scene in the movie that kind of dragged on, when the comic book only touched on it for a couple pages.

Dr. Manhattan is naked for most of the movie, and yes you do see his “junk,” but only in the background most of the time. It’s not really made all that distinct from the rest of his body, unless you’re looking for it. Then again, if you read the book you probably were looking for it just to see if Zach Snyder went all-out in sticking to the book as much as possible. We can safely assure you he, in fact, did. So, obviously, let the kiddies stick to Hugh Jackman & his epic mutton-chops this spring, parents.

For the kids!

For those who haven’t read the book it may seem a little slow paced because this is not a superhero movie in the traditional sense. It’s more of a murder-mystery noir type deal with people with masks and a naked, buff, blowing member of the Blue Man Group in it, than your run-of-the-mill good guy vs. bad guy movie.

For those who have read the book, there are some things that have been changed or left out, but it did hurt the movie, unless you’re on of those people who just HAS to see every little detail on the screen or it’s just ruined for you, causing you to go on your blog and unleash some good ol’ fashioned nerd-rage.

“BUBASTIS ISN’T THAT SHADE OF PURPLE!!!”

We highly suggest reading the book before seeing the movie, of course. It will make the movie more enjoyable, make you informed on the plot going in, and fill in some blanks that the movie might have left out. And also, buying the book will help keep Alan Moore from killing Zach Snyder like he tried to do to the Wachowski Bros. for “V For Vendetta.” However, at the time, Alan Moore was unaware that they based “The Matrix” trilogy off of their own lives, and no amount of crazy beard-based kung-fu could defeat them.

Then again, I still think he could take them…

We like to think Mr. Moore left their meeting shouting “What are you two going to screw up next!? SPEED RACER!?” To which the Wachowski’s replied “Hmmm…”

All in all, it’s probably the most faithful adaptation from book to movie there ever has been. So to all of you nay-sayers out there, just be glad it didn’t end up like this.

Or this, for all you Simpsons fans.

Written by Adam Gawinksi & Mike Mattucci

Gotta See it!

2009-03-05T20:53:00.001-08:00

gotta see:
Waltz with Bashir

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE

2009-03-02T20:39:00.000-08:00

I wanted to see this for months, and it finally arrived here is dinky ole Delaware. Prepared for a light entertainment, (Bollywood USA-style?) I was completely unprepared for the beauty of the cinematography, the music, the acting, all of it. I loved it. I sat on the edge of my seat as the story was revealed one episode at a time. No sympathy, no foreshadowing of a happy ending. Only Jamal's steadfast love of Latika kept him alive, and me watching. I was terrified that he would not survive. My pained expression lasted through the entire movie. It has been a long time since I have been willing to to watch an entire movie with a sick feeling, but I could not leave until I knew. More later as I digest.
3/29 This movie belongs to the young-the three children whose shining eyes and tortured lives radiate with all that the rest of us have lost: faith, trust, hope. They should not be able to trust anyone else, or believe that life would be better tomorrow, or hope that there would be a happy ending, but they do. This film reminds us that our Annie is just a cartoon.

BIG FISH 22 January 2009

2009-02-28T10:29:00.000-08:00

Every time I see this movie, I am amazed by its artistry. The slow build to the intense emotion between father and son is masterful. Billy Crudup's tension is a beautiful foil to Arthur Finney's wide-eyed calm. And the idea that a traveling salesman's life is not only full of wonder, but magic and unexpected love, is comforting to someone who may be living what looks like a "typical" life, at least on the outside. There is priceless value in the life of a man with an open mind and an heart of infinite size. And let's not forget the fun of stunning conjoined twins who are friends with a peaceful giant who worked for a circus full of floating popcorn run by Danny DeVito whose right hand man is best known in America as Willy Wonka's OompaLoompa (much less be one the most beloved movie actors of all time in India). And a sweet love story played out in the bathtub between Finney and Jessica Lange! Thank you Film Club for BIG FISH.

UNBREAKABLE February 19, 2009

2009-02-28T10:28:00.000-08:00

Thanks, Carol, for suggesting Unbreakable. Bruce Willis just sneaks up on you--he is so regular, flawed, just like every other boy from Jersey. And then you find yourself rooting for him-to get the girl, to catch the villain, to really BE unbreakable. Genius casting by M Night Shyamalan. And Samuel L. Jackson played it straight evil all the way through--but evil like it really is. He doesn't sound immoral, or crazy, or or even devious. He sounds lonely, desperate, aching for a connection. And..isn't that how evil starts--someone alone, yearning for something they are missing?
I loved the symbolic colors of green and purple, the allusions to the comic book heroes and villains, the intertwining, the SYMBIOSIS of dark and light, soft and hard, weak and strong. We all live so close to that which could destroy us...

IMITATION OF LIFE January 2009

2009-02-20T20:17:00.000-08:00

Imitation of Life, the Blog, not the movie!!

I wonder if Will Shakespeare would have thought that Survivor was,in fact, reality? It is unscripted to a degree, but reality, no way. I am not sure he would appreciate the random plot development. I mean, someone like Shakespeare would have had to relinquish total control over every event and character. I don't think he could do that. His art was meant to imitate life, not BE life. Is Survivor imitating life or is it real life?? Help!
P.S. Attached photos: "Imitation of Life" is the cheesiest romantic drama ever made. But it was also groundbreaking in its direct treatment of the racial bigotry implicit in the era, and the tortured choices the characters made to escape it.