Movies are an interesting medium.Some people watch only Hollywood blockbusters like "Spiderman","Mission Impossible" or "Avatar".Movies can thrill,terrify or titallate;but they can also enlighten and educate.I have broad tastes in movies(and music),and I watch movies from a lot of different genres.
Documentaries find their way into my dvd player every few weeks and a couple I viewed recently were quite interesting.
"Temple Grandin" is a bio-pic from HBO which was recently released on dvd.The movie is about Temple Grandin an autistic woman who didn't talk untill she was 4 years old and who succeded in life because she had a mother who refused to institutionalize her.Nurtured and encouraged to make her own way into the world she graduated high school and(reluctantly) went on to college;getting a B.A. in Psychology and a Masters and PhD in Animal Science.She has gone on to be a leading expert in the US in animal behaviour ,particularly the ethical and humane treatment of livestock in feedlots and slaughterhouses.Claire Danes won an Emmy for her outstanding performance in her portrayal of Temple.The movie was not only very informative about autism and animal behaviour.but was also very moving and choked me up at times.I also reccommend the book "Animals In Translation:Using The Mysteries Of Autism To Decode Animal Behaviour" written by Temple in 2005.I listened to it as a CD Audiobook and found it fascinating and was never bored in its' 8 hour run time.
"I Think We're Alone Now" is another documentary, recently released on dvd, after playing to accolades on the film festival circuit.It tells the story of two people who are fans of 80's pop star Tiffany;and not just fans,but IN LOVE WITH HER !!!Jeff is a 50 year old man with Asperger Syndome living in Santa Cruz.He is obseesed with Tiffany and has been going to her concerts since 1988 and also to autograph sessions and public appearances.He is a deluded stalker with no idea of appropriate behaviour or respect for privacy.Kelly,living in Denver is a hermaphrodite in her late 30's who is also obsessed with Tiffany.Kelly lived as a boy/man through high school,but is living as a woman today.She had a serious bicycle accident that left her in a coma a number of years ago and has suffered much mental anguish and depression since then.Jeff has now replaced his obsession with Tiffany with a new 'thing' for Alyssa Milano.He admits to wandering the grounds on her estate and looking in the windows!For much of the movie my mouth hung open-OH MY GOD-;but at other times it felt very sad,disturbing and scary.
They walk among us.After watching this,that guy at work who you've always thought of as crazy,will seem much more normal.
Documentaries find their way into my dvd player every few weeks and a couple I viewed recently were quite interesting.
"Temple Grandin" is a bio-pic from HBO which was recently released on dvd.The movie is about Temple Grandin an autistic woman who didn't talk untill she was 4 years old and who succeded in life because she had a mother who refused to institutionalize her.Nurtured and encouraged to make her own way into the world she graduated high school and(reluctantly) went on to college;getting a B.A. in Psychology and a Masters and PhD in Animal Science.She has gone on to be a leading expert in the US in animal behaviour ,particularly the ethical and humane treatment of livestock in feedlots and slaughterhouses.Claire Danes won an Emmy for her outstanding performance in her portrayal of Temple.The movie was not only very informative about autism and animal behaviour.but was also very moving and choked me up at times.I also reccommend the book "Animals In Translation:Using The Mysteries Of Autism To Decode Animal Behaviour" written by Temple in 2005.I listened to it as a CD Audiobook and found it fascinating and was never bored in its' 8 hour run time.
"I Think We're Alone Now" is another documentary, recently released on dvd, after playing to accolades on the film festival circuit.It tells the story of two people who are fans of 80's pop star Tiffany;and not just fans,but IN LOVE WITH HER !!!Jeff is a 50 year old man with Asperger Syndome living in Santa Cruz.He is obseesed with Tiffany and has been going to her concerts since 1988 and also to autograph sessions and public appearances.He is a deluded stalker with no idea of appropriate behaviour or respect for privacy.Kelly,living in Denver is a hermaphrodite in her late 30's who is also obsessed with Tiffany.Kelly lived as a boy/man through high school,but is living as a woman today.She had a serious bicycle accident that left her in a coma a number of years ago and has suffered much mental anguish and depression since then.Jeff has now replaced his obsession with Tiffany with a new 'thing' for Alyssa Milano.He admits to wandering the grounds on her estate and looking in the windows!For much of the movie my mouth hung open-OH MY GOD-;but at other times it felt very sad,disturbing and scary.
They walk among us.After watching this,that guy at work who you've always thought of as crazy,will seem much more normal.
this is a great Idea I also watch a ton of movies id say on par with you and its tough finding good movies to watch after it feels like youve watched them all. Anyways im gonna check out those two horror comedies i havent seen them and like the genre.
ReplyDeleteIm also gonna reccomend the movie "The Fall" 2006 this movie is amazing in HD watched it the other night also watched "holy rollers" another decent flick UIIIu
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Also a movie buff - but stream mine from various sites- sometimes before they are released.
ReplyDeleteNot much into the horror genre if I want that I can watch the news. Best movie I have seen in the last year: the Swedish film (excellent dubbing) of Stieg Larsson's the The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo. As a side note, I'm also an avid reader - his trilogy is among the best works of fiction I've read in 25 years.
This comment was from jsawe on the poker forum wher I first posted this blog;the previous comment was from UIIIU on the same forum;and I'll follow with my replies to them. david
I'm glad you are interested in my movie chats.I have seen "The Fall';a very good movie with great colours and exotic locales.I also saw "Holy Rollers" recently and quite enjoyed it(it's just special medecine !!!).The lead,Jesse Eisenberg is hot right now.He is the lead in "The Social Network",playing the founder of Facebook.It is a very good movie and I learned a lot watching it.David Fincher directed "The Social Network" and he makes great movies.He is currently making the American re-make of "The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo" and I'm sure he'll do a fine job,although the Swedish version is just fine,especially the actress playing Lisbeth Salander.I have also read all 3 of the books and have watched the first two movies and have the last one sitting on my desk to be watched soon.All 3 movies have been available in torrents online for at least 6 months ,although "The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest" just opened in the theaters here last week.Apparently Steig Larson had a 4th book in his computer when he died suddenly.An article in the New York Times magazine says his agent and family are fighting over the rights to it.http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/23/ma...ewanted=1&_r=1
ReplyDeleteThe 4th book is rumoured to be set in the north of Canada.
David
Another excellent Swedish movie is "Let The Right One In".It was recently remade in the US and tho' I haven't seen it I hear that it is done well.It is a horror/vampire/coming of age picture.check it out.I can also recommend a terrific book,"Water For Elephants",which is currently being made into a movie.I "read' it as an audio book, and the people reading it really made it come to life ;like an old time radio play.
ReplyDeleteSorry everyone;these comments were supposed to be attached to my previous(first) blog called 'Halloween Viewing'.This is all new to me so perhaps with practice it will get more professional;and perhaps with less spelling and grammar errors.lol. David
ReplyDeleteGreat idea David! I will look forward to future reviews and commentaries.
ReplyDeleteTemple Grandin is one of my all time favvourites. I found it to be utterly moving and personally inspiring.
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