A Movie on Sunday

[caddyman]

Tonight we will be eating chicken; I have just put it in the oven and it should be ready in a couple of hours. Baby spuds, roasted broccoli and gravy. Yum.

This afternoon we saw Casino Royale: probably the best Bond for some years (though I do like The World Is Not Enough). My only real criticism is the editing and length of the movie. At 144 minutes the director could have sliced a good 15-20 minutes out without losing anything important, whilst maintaining the early pace of the movie. Ironically, the poker session was not the bit that dragged.

That criticism aside, a good start for Daniel Craig and it looks as though the Bond franchise will pick up speed again if they keep up with this style of movie.

I was merely whelmed by the trailers for Eregon. I think I shall wait and read others' thoughts on that before paying out cash to see it. At the moment it is looking like a potential Orange Wednesday two-for-one deal. I can't see myself wanting to part with full admission price to see it. I honestly can't recall seeing any other trailers. It's unusual for there to be only one, so that suggests that the decidedly ordinary-looking Eregon may be the cream of the forthcoming crop. New year before going to the movies again, then, I guess.

Since money is scarce, we stayed in last night and watched The Shining on DVD. A favourite of Miss Furtle's it is the first time I have actually watched it from start to finish, though I have seen all of it at various times over the years. Enjoyable enough, though good old Jack Nicholson still bemuses with his over acting. He seemed to have been coaching the kid, too. What ham. I see from the internet movie database that he hasn't worked on movies since. Directors must agree with me.

Miss Furtle did spend an inordinate amount of time studying her cushion and studiously avoiding watching the screen leading me to wonder precisely how the film can possibly be a favourite with so much unwatched.

Comments

[ellefurtle.livejournal.com]

The cushion is essential! it's another reason why girls have cushions, you know. Scary movies are better viewed with half an eye slightly out of focus from behind a cushion!

[irdm.livejournal.com]

That was a thing - poker! some yob game!!
What happened to baccarat?

[velvet-the-cat.livejournal.com]

I dunno, but I understand poker (particularly No Limit Holdem') and Baccarat remains a mystery to me.

For once, I'm all in favour of dumbing down!

I guess they also realised that there's a far bigger market for sales of 'Casino Royale' poker chip sets after the film launched too. They are readily available in time for Christmas. :o)

[davidt3001.livejournal.com]

There's nothing mysterious about baccarat. There just isn't any skill involved.

[fencingsculptor.livejournal.com]

Well it was obviously a Bond Weekend - I went to see it too - but I didn't feel it dragged at all, in fact my friend and I didn't notice the time drag at all.

I thought Craig makes and excellent bond and I loved the gritty nature of the film - and it was all the better for the lack of silly sci fi gimmicks.

y friend particularly liked the Bond emerging from the sea scene, she is hoping that this becomes a new feature of the franchise....

[bluesman.livejournal.com]

I like J Nicholson. I think he's at his best when allowed to ham it up, but I also like him when he tones it down. As Good As It Gets is as enjoyable for his curmudgeonly Melvin Udall as Chinatown is for his more subtle acting. Gielgud? De Niro? Hoffman? Bollocks. Give me Jack Nicholson looking someone straight in the eye and screwing up his face to deliver a stinging one-liner any time.

[caddyman.livejournal.com]

As Good As It Gets is an excellent movie. I prefer the toned down Jack to the amphetaimine version.

[bluesman.livejournal.com]

As in Five Easy Piecesand About Schmidt? Yep.