h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

The Life of Pi

I was entertained, but I am a visual enthusiast.
Some of the scenes were awe inspiring for me.
The colors and images surprised me with regularity.

The plot plodded, sort of like “The Old Man and the Sea”
A story within a story, the external layer suggested that the internal story was a “better” story. For me, this was a tenuous ploy to have the audience abide the latter.

I'm not sure I want to see it at all. Although I read the book some 2 years ago now, it still leaves a lasting impression on my mind. Had any of you read the book before seeing the film?

Watched Hara-Kiri Death of a Samurai.
Not your usual slash and kill samurai film but a gripping drama
and an ending I didn't see coming.

Life of Pi.

Lovely to look at but that's about it.

And the whole thing stumbled, tripped and fell over it's own feet when the Rafe Spall character explained who the characters in the story were. Clumsy and quite unneccesary.

The bottom line is whether I would recommend a film to someone else. I wouldn't with this one.

PP.

"Lovely to look at but that's about it."

Confirmed my suspicions. I've heard people raving about it, but the trailers left me unconvinced that it wasn't just a style-over-substance thing.

>>when the Rafe Spall character explained who the characters in the story were<<

That was the awkward part of the book, too.

I thought there was really deep substance to it: I liked the bit about choosing which version was real and how it fit in with the initial claim "I've got a story that'll make you believe in god".

It's a bit like Brokeback Mountain in that not a huge amount happens, the action tends to come in short bursts and the bits in between are quite reflective. Still, I thought it was a wonderful film.

I was hoping the Pi film would leave it as open as the book does (IIRC) but it pretty much explained everything in fairly concrete tones.

But I did love the film, not as much as the book (I read it when it won the prize, so it's a while ago now, I've probably forgotten the ending completely)

Which all just goes to show that we aren't all the same then.

The Rafe Spall moment was rather like watching Midsomer Murders unfold.

And I STILL don't believe in God. Or understand how so many intelligent people do either.

PP.

Just got back from Les Miserables. For the first time in a long time I walked out at the end and wanted to go straight into the next screening. Beautiful performances by pretty much all the cast - I was particularly surprised by how good Russell Crowe was, didn't have him down as a singer.

Just back from Les Mis meself.

I was not a fan beforehand, and I still remain a sceptic. Will start a separate thread on Ask. But stunning performances from Anne Hathaway, and Samantha Barks (reality TV can lead to greater things for the truly talented)

Also enjoyed Iron Lady on t'telly t'other night. Great work from Streep, she really is an incredible actress.

Samantha Banks was exceptional: her portrayal of Eponine really got to me. Which reality TV show was she in?

A quick googling revealed the Ms Barks was on "I'd Do Anything" - a BBC talent show that was looking for a Nancy (hosted by Graham Norton) for a new production of Oliver! She came third.


Geggs

Yes she was a "you could be nancy".

I did see her on stage in Belfasts grand opera house as a rather good Sally Bowles in cabaret.

I watched Law Abiding Citizen the other day, a movie about a man whose family is murdered, and how he takes revenge on the lawyer who let the murderers off lightly. The moral of the movie seemed to be that we should punish people based on wether or not we know in our hearts that they are guilty, and not let pesky things like civil rights and due process stand in our way. Otherwise fairly average really.

Funny, as I recall the message of the film was that justice has to be seen to be done.

Quartet.

Highly recommended.

One of those films with a brilliant cast too.

I know it is a matter of taste, but I reckon it knocked spots off 'Life of Pi' - totally different of course.

http://m.youtube.com/#/watch?v=wSEnh8Hi62E&gl=GB

PP.

The Sessions.

This is a beautiful film, although I had to swallow hard when Helen Hunt stripped off - I was worried about the blood pressures of all the OAPs around me, honest. The fact that it's based on a true story made me all the more grateful for the hand I was dealt.

William H Macy, one of the co-stars, is fast becoming one of my favourite actors.

GB

Will be going to see zero dark thurty in the next week or so - shall report back...

Django unchained.

Everyone went to see this at the weekend. Great fun - typical Tarantino. Ridiculous amounts of blood spurting, but music.

Had to look away for some of the more cruel bits, but when I didn't I saw that they were very skilfully directed and cut and you didn't see anything horrific at all.

Jamie Fox quite fantastic - the whole film didn't have a second of boredom although it was nearly 3 hours long. Samuel L Jackson was a shock when he first came on screen - he looked about 80.

I don't for a minute believe that things were like that in the 19th Century - I reckon black people were treated far worse.

I saw it with hubbie in the German dubbed version. Christoph Waltz really had a ball synchronising his own voice!