TV and Movies

[just bee]

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@Stelladorable wrote:

@just bee so glad you thought the movie was beautiful also. So many details that just made me love it. Haunting, I would call it, but laugh out loud funny in spots...

 "Your daddy was killed by a bread truck"

 " it can't be happening! My Ma was killed by a bread truck! If it's the same truck I'm going to kill someone!!! "

 "Padraic is dull"

 "But he's ALWAYS been dull!!!! Why now?????"

 @granddi Tar is next on my list. Echo @Mersha  would love for you to leave your review!

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@Stelladorable 

I haven't looked forward to a film in some time, but as soon as I heard that McDonagh, Gleeson and Farrell were reuniting after one of my all-time favorites, In Bruges, I was intrigued.

Banshees did not disapppoint.

[just bee]

The Menu.

I finally got around to watching it and the good news is:

There are some clever moments and a lot of visual interest.  I especially enjoyed the look of the dessert scene.

The bad news:

Ralph Fiennes is always fun to watch but he's even more fun to watch when he has better material.  Think In Bruges.

A serious flaw: This is a film about wealthy, pretentious individuals, created and served to you by... well, wealthy and pretentious individuals.

[just bee]

@Stelladorable 

I watched Banshees again this morning (I've seen it several times) and I think another reason I like it is that it does such a good job of creating a specific time and place.  And it does what I require from any novel, play or film: Has to be a good story and there needs to be characters that I can care about.

My previous comments on The Menu should have included that there wasn't one character I cared about in the film.

[granddi]

@Stelladorable @Mersha TAR: We thought it was good. Cate is amazing. If you are knowledgable in classical music you will pick up on chatter among the characters regarding composers, etc. I would like to have seen a little more story of the other characters in how they are involved with the main character. It's a 2 1/2 hrs long but that is what happens when the writer is the director and has total creative control. 

[TurnerGal]

I watched the Banshees and hated the story.  I loved the actors and the views of Ireland but the story was terrible.  I don't know if there was supposed to be lots of symbolism that went over my head,  but it was one of the most depressing movies I have every watched.

I also watched Everthing Everywhere.  Was ready to give up a few times,  lots of violence but in the end it did have a point, and I thought it was good not great. 

[granddi]

Re: Banshees: My dad would say "Don't cut off your nose to spite your face."

[Stelladorable]

@just bee I am thinking of buying the movie. Your comment about "time and place" is very true. The island is time stood still, where things don't change, while just a boat ride away, the civil war rages, heroes are being made (and executed) and ideologies are being tested. I think it contributes to the "lonely" theme and the need to do things to ensure you're remembered in a place where nobody really has any news.

Sad for sure. I cried for Padraic, who lost his niceness, along with his sister, friend in Dominic and his beloved Jenny. I cried for Colm who was at the end of his life, contemplating his legacy, a frustrated artist on a rural island. In one part of the movie, he wonders if he's behaving strangely to entertain himself. Unfortunately, he took it too far and he too, lost everything, including the fingers he needed to write and play music (also how would he chop wood, haul items, drive a horse and wagon, all the things it would take just to survive, with only one hand?) to self destruction or self sabotage. He was left with his dog, ironically thanks to Padraic. 

This movie gave me all the feels. Still has my vote for Best Picture, but I haven't gotten thru my list.

Tar is next

[Stelladorable]

@granddi I am going to watch Tar tonight. I think Cate is wonderful.

I want to watch To Leslie, which has some controversy surrounding the British actress who portrays the alcoholic mother. I believe she was nominated for an Oscar....

[just bee]

@Stelladorable 

The animals are all distinct characters in the film.  A nice touch.

[Stelladorable]

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@just bee wrote:

@Stelladorable 

The animals are all distinct characters in the film.  A nice touch.

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Yes! Colm's dog (can't remember the name) taking away the sheep shears. Jenny, as Padraic's foil to loneliness. All his animals living in the house after Siobhan leaves. So much there.