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From: owner-movies-digest@lists.xmission.com (movies-digest) To: movies-digest@lists.xmission.com Subject: movies-digest V2 #325 Reply-To: movies-digest Sender: owner-movies-digest@lists.xmission.com Errors-To: owner-movies-digest@lists.xmission.com Precedence: bulk movies-digest Tuesday, February 20 2001 Volume 02 : Number 325 Re: [MV] Hannibal Re: [MV] Indy Films [MV] Long Interview with Anthony Hopkins [MV] Menace II Society - 1993 [MV] Menacing Spike Re: [MV] Menace II Society - 1993 Re: [MV] Hannibal Re: [MV] Indy Films [none] [MV] Date: Mon, 19 Feb 2001 14:48:47 -0600 [MV] Re: your mail [MV] Re: [MV] Showgirls - So bad it's BAD!! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- Date: Sun, 18 Feb 2001 07:16:12 -0700 (MST) From: A Kanizaj <akanizaj@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca> Subject: Re: [MV] Hannibal Hmm. See,all I know is what you don't like. Um, to start off gently I would recommend Almost Famous, it's still in theatres. It's been described as seeing the 70's though rose coloured glasses, and thus avoiding Boogie Nights type sex or Doors 2 drug use. But it's really touching. Or, you could see Greg Araki's latest, Splendour. It's out on video now, or I have it on DVD to copy for sale. It's basically Araki-lite, which means it has sex drugs homosexuals and mocking of LA, but toned down enough to get a 14A rating in Canada. It has been described as an update of Keaton-esque farce and physical comedy. Two guys fall for the same woman, she loves them both, they all move in together (but they avoid threesome scenes and stuff), she gets preggo, and she decides she wants a more normal, stable relationship. Hijinks and comedy ensue. If you are looking for comedy, I still insist on Clerks. It's graphic language got it an NC-17 in US, but only a 14A here. It has no sex, violence or drugs shown, but mucho graphic sex talk. But it is soooo funny it is worth a look. Anybody else have any suggestions? - -ak On Sat, 17 Feb 2001, Diane Christy wrote: > At 4:02 PM -0700 2/17/01, A Kanizaj wrote: > >Exactly. So you, being a cinema buff, must have seen some > >undeground/non-mainstream movies you liked? If you tell me what you have > >seen/enjoyed, I can recommend others. > > > >PS- You didn't like Patch Adams, did you? > > I don't think I've ever seen a REALLY independent film. I guess the > film I've seen which more closely resembles an "underground" film > would be "Whore." I hated it. I don't much about them. Want to > offer some suggestions. > > Nope, didn't like "Patch Adams." > -- > ~~~~~ > Diane Christy (Samantha and Joshua's Mom) > Jefferson, LA > http://www.geocities.com/diane507/ > mailto:dchristy10@earthlink.net > ICQ #12904700 <dchristy10> on Instant AOL Messenger > ~~~~~ > > [ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ] > [ movies" (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] > [ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ] [ movies" (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 18 Feb 2001 07:20:53 -0700 (MST) From: A Kanizaj <akanizaj@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca> Subject: Re: [MV] Indy Films And while I really, really dopn't want people to start hating me for doing this, my trading circle specializes in foreign and indie films, so if anybody has a hard time finding these titles let me know. PS - most of these were great suggestions.Haven't heard of Clean,Shaven; does anybody have it for trade/sale? A lot of the foreign films, though, I felt were over-hyped. But that's just cuz I've seen so many and you have to start somewhere. - -ak On Sun, 18 Feb 2001, Mel Eperthener wrote: > At 10.55 PM 17/02/2001 -0600, Diane Christy wrote: > >I don't think I've ever seen a REALLY independent film. I guess the > >film I've seen which more closely resembles an "underground" film > >would be "Whore." I hated it. I don't much about them. Want to > >offer some suggestions. > > Understandable. Whore can be a bit hard to stomache. > > For indy films, a good place to start might be Fargo. It is not really > independent, but has that feel, and a good story, and might be a good place > to start. Another one like that is The Usual Suspects, one of my favourite > films of all time. > > Being John Malkovich is another good introduction to this genre. And I > highly recommend the Kevin Smith films (who is a friend of a friend, but I > raved about his films before I even found this out). Clerks is the logical > place to start, but be forewarned. This film has no sex, no violence, no > nudity, nothing but language, and it still originally got an NC-17 rating, > the only film to ever get that on the basis of language alone. Chasing Amy > is equally good (Mallrats is when even Smith himself admits he sold out to > the studios), but also has some "troubling" issues. Besides, it is really > every man's lesbian fantasy (that being that all a lesbian needs to set her > straight is the right man), so I am sure most of the lesbian community > would hate this film. Dogma was protested by the Catholic Church before > anyone ever saw it, so until you see it, you cannot appreciate that it > actually has a very pro-religion message. > > One thing is, most indy, or even quasi-independent films like to push the > envelope, and especially like to examine the effects of violence on people. > I think Pulp Fiction and Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels work on many > different levels, and have to be viewed beyond the top layer to really be > appreciated. If you were able to stomache A Clockwork Orange (and even I > had trouble with that), Romper Stomper is another good one that examines > some of the same social issues. That leads us into Once Were Warriors and > The Last Supper. If you can get thru those, then you might just be able to > handle Clean, Shaven. I have not got this far yet, but I do know it starts > off with seventeen minutes of static. > > A good way to get the feel for these movies without the overboard themes is > to go to the foreign films section of the video store. Giving into the > English language bias, let me give you some good foreign films that did > well overseas, but are high quality enough and obscure enough to give you > the same feel. Try Strictly Ballroom (very clean movie, the kids can even > watch) and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. I also think The Year My Voice > Broke is one of the best films ever made, and another that the entire > family can watch safely. One that I bet just about everyone missed is > Boulevard of Broken Dreams. Also, The Efficiency Expert is a great comedy, > and Don's Party did the big chill nearly two decades befor The Big Chill. > > Some other ones to consider are Love and Other Catastrophies, Shallow > Grave, The Unbearable Lightness of Being, High Art, Henry Fool, and Oscar > and Lucinda. > > When you are up to dealing with subtitles, anything by Luc Besson will do > (The Big Blue, La Femme Nikita, The Visitors), as well as Oscar winners in > the Foreign Film catagory (Burnt By the Sun, Antonia's Line, Koyla, etc > etc), and let's not forget the Colours Trilogy (Bleu, Blanc, et Rogue, or > in English, Blue, White, and Red) > > Now, I know that these aren't the true independent films that were > suggested, but they are a start, and will ease you into the genre. And I > am sure that there are a lot of other suggestions that are more > independent. Some others that are more indepenent are When We Were Kings, > Once Upon A Time When We Were Coloured, In His Father's Shoes, and Looking > for Richard. And I am sure people are adding to this list as we speak. > > > > >Nope, didn't like "Patch Adams." > >-- > > See, no matter what, everyone has to agree you can't be all bad:-) > > Regards, > > --Mel > > > --Mel Eperthener > president, Gowanna Multi-media Pty http://www.webz.com/gowanna > mailto:bcassidy@usaor.net mailto:gowanna@australiamail.com > > 419 Butler Street > PO Box 95184 > Pittsburgh, PA 15223-0184 > (412) 781-6140 (412) 781-6380 > 1-888-45-GOWANNA -- TOLL FREE (1-888-454-6926) > ____________________________________________ > "Wow! So that is what all that extra space on the movie screen is > for!" reaction to "Gladiator" > ______________________________________________ > > > [ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ] > [ movies" (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] > [ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ] [ movies" (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 18 Feb 2001 07:47:09 -0800 From: "Marc C. Desbiens" <marcdesbiens@apolloguide.com> Subject: [MV] Long Interview with Anthony Hopkins <<<<<< Long interview with Anthony Hopkins, provided by the lovely Ms. Elaine !! >>>>>>>> I thought it was intriguing to read !! Marc ;-) ============================================================== >Hi Everyone! >I found this today and thought it might be interesting for those of you who >don't have AOL. There are a lot of questions about his role as Hannibal >Lecter and how he portryed him. There's one place where he gives a slight >spoiler to the movie, so I've designated that part for you and you can skip >it if you don't want to know. Just go on to where it says it's over. >Enjoy.... >Elaine :) > > > >Renowned actor, Anthony Hopkins, chatted with AOL members about his returning >role as Dr. Hannibal Lecter in the film "Hannibal." See what he had to say >below. > >Scroll down to read the full transcript... >***************************************************** > >Host: Welcome, Sir Anthony Hopkins, to AOL Live. > >Anthony Hopkins: Thank you. > >Host: We are joined tonight by Sir Anthony Hopkins, who is returning to the >screen as Hannibal Lecter in the sequel to "Silence of the Lambs," >"Hannibal," opening on February 9. We'd like to open with a member question >from LJ9385: Why has it taken so long to make a sequel to this film? > >Anthony Hopkins: We all waited for Thomas Harris to come up with a book. I >have been asked many times over the years what has happened. I said, I am not >the writer, you have to ask Thomas Harris. Two years ago, there was a hint >that he was about to complete his novel "Hannibal." And I had heard some >rumor about five or six years ago that it takes place in Florence. It proved >to be true. And then I think it was about two years ago, or maybe 18 months >ago, I was given the proofs of the novel, and then it was all full steam >ahead. Jonathan Demme read it and turned it down. Joe read the screen play. >Jodie Foster decided to turn it down...I don't know what happened there, but >anyway, the main producer who owns the copyright decided to go ahead anyway, >and I was quite happy. > >Host: Did Jodie Foster's decision not to do the film in any way affect your >decision? > >Anthony Hopkins: No, it didn't affect my decision at all. I was >philosophical about it. I have another life to live besides making Hannibal >Lecter movies, but I -- I said whatever happens, happens. If they make it, >they make it. Members of various tabloids in Britain report that -- all kinds >of false reports that the newspapers will make, but I was very detached from >it. And then when DeLaurentiis chose Ridley Scott as the director.... And >they chose Julianne Moore out of a bunch of actresses who were all pretty >formidable and highly talented movie stars in their own right. When Julianne >was selected, I was really thrilled. And I still didn't believe we were going >to make it until I actually stood in front of the camera in Florence, because >I am a little jaded about that now. But it was certainly very enjoyable. > >Host: One of our members asks: Did you enjoy working with Julianne Moore? >Sounds like you did. > >Anthony Hopkins: Yes. We didn't have a great deal to do together, except >mostly voice-overs of communicating with her by phone. > >Host: Interesting! > >Anthony Hopkins: And then we have two or three big scenes towards the end, >and they were pretty powerful scenes, and she is a powerful actress -- or >actor, I should say, politically correct. She is very powerful and very >disciplined and very, very good, very formidable, quite formidable. Very nice >woman, very easy to work with. > >Host: Excellent. We have a couple of questions coming in from our audience. >One person asks: How did playing a character like Hannibal Lecter make you >feel, given the kind of despicable things that he is capable of? > >Anthony Hopkins: Well, I have only played him twice, and I have played a lot >of very good men. I have only played one strange man, and that's Hannibal >Lecter. How does it make me feel? Well, it's acting. It's a part. It's like >Arnold Schwarzenegger or somebody who kills people in their films. It's a >job. It's an entertainment. I don't lie awake at night in horror. It's my >job. It's what I do. And yet I can be playing other parts as well, like a >butler or doctor or -- and in other films. At the moment, I am playing a >lawyer in the film with Alec Baldwin. So it's all called acting. Not to be >taken seriously. > >Host: Because Hannibal is so different a character from other characters >that you've played, is he one of your favorites? Or if not, which ones are? > >Anthony Hopkins: I think he is one of my favorites. He is the most >interesting man to play. When I played "Silence of the Lambs," I had an idea >that it would be a successful movie because it was so brilliantly directed by >Jonathan Demme, and I knew that it was one of those characters that would >interest the public. I had a hunch about that, some instinct about that, that >it would fascinate audiences, because I think it's part of human psyche that >we are interested in -- fascinated by the dark side of all human personality. >And the dark, or what is called the seemingly negative side, it's not a >negative side. It's a dark side which can be a very creative side and only is >destructive if it's neglected or repressed. And Lecter represents that part >that is in all of us. I don't mean to say there is cannibalism, but the dark >certainty of our psychic desires and all that. > >Anthony Hopkins: Anyway, acting is not brain surgery, so I must not get too >caught up in the psychological aspect of acting. > >Host: On that note, we have a fan in the audience, SleepyBabe217, who would >like to know: Who inspired you to get into acting? > >Anthony Hopkins: Well, when I was in school, I had very little chance of a >future, because I was so -- what's the word? I was a poor student. I couldn't >-- I couldn't grasp anything. I know a lot of actors are people who tend >towards the artistic professions like music, and tend to be a little >different, and they're regarded, as children, as oddballs. I was academically >hopeless. And there was a local -- this guy in the town where I lived -- >called Richard Burton, and he was a young actor, and he became very >successful and world famous. And I thought, if he can do it, maybe I can do >the same thing. And he was a sort of example for me, I suppose. > >Anthony Hopkins: And I stumbled into acting because I had nothing better to >do. I didn't know what else to do. I thought, it sure beats working for a >living. And lo and behold, I became an actor. And much to my surprise, I >became successful. I can't account for any of that. I think a little bit of >talent helps, but I think it's mostly luck and maybe some kind of focus or >drive. But my life today is as surprising to me as it may be to some of my >friends. > >Host: Always the unexpected. > >Anthony Hopkins: It is the unexpected. So that's what inspired me. I just >wanted to -- well, I wanted to become what I have become. > >Host: That's great. We have an aspiring actor in the audience, actually... > >Anthony Hopkins: You mean you actually have an audience there? > >Host: We do. > >Anthony Hopkins: They're sitting in the room? > >Host: Actually, they're in a virtual auditorium, online. > >Anthony Hopkins: I am so illiterate about computers. I had a laptop once, >and I destroyed it because it was driving me nuts. I can just about use the >typewriter, and that's it. > >Host: LOL, I'm sure some can appreciate that sentiment! But yes, our >audience is online at home right now and they're sending in their questions. > >Anthony Hopkins: Hello to everyone. > >Host: They are saying hello back. > >Anthony Hopkins: Hello there. <voice of Hannibal Lecter> > >Host: Tdjam70 would like to know if you ever work with young filmmakers to >help create their projects, or, if aspiring filmmakers come to you with >projects, do you ever help them get off the ground? > >Anthony Hopkins: Well, I have responded in the affirmative when people have >asked me, and then I never hear from them again. If -- I would indeed, and if >they present, you know, present a script and it's -- my advice, whoever the >questioner is, whoever the member of the audience is, is a young filmmaker, >the thing you have to do -- I always insist on this. If I am offered a script >by someone on the street or in a restaurant, I try to be very polite and say, >send it to my agent. Because when it's done through just passing on a script >and handed out, it never works. Somehow it's cursed that way, and the best >way to do it is to go through an agent. I know a lot of agents don't pass on >information to their clients, but I happen to have a very, very good agent, >and I have alerted him sometimes, if you ever get any odd scripts from... let >me know. And he does. I am very interested in working with young directors. >Yeah, that's my answer. > >Host: That's wonderful. I am sure this member will be very happy to hear >that, and your agent will probably be hearing from them tomorrow! Here is an >interesting question. BigFanToo asks: It seems like you have worked with >just about everyone in the film business. Is there someone you haven't worked >with that you would like to on a future project? > >Anthony Hopkins: Julia Roberts. > >Host: Any plans in the works? > >Anthony Hopkins: No. She's gorgeous and a wonderful actress, and I would >love to work with her. I haven't seen her that often, but when we meet, we >get on well together, and I would love to work with her. I would like to work >with -- I don't know. I would love to work with Marlon Brando. I haven't >really worked with everyone, but I have worked with a number of fine actors, >but the people I would like to work with -- Kevin Spacey or De Niro, Michelle >Pfeiffer. Certainly I would like to work with Julia Roberts. > >Host: It would be great if our aspiring filmmaker in the audience was right >now casting you all together in a film. > >Anthony Hopkins: Yeah. I would also like to work with Sean Penn. And Woody >Allen, I would like to work with. Yeah, a number of people I would like to >work with. I think one of my favorites -- I would love to work with Clint >Eastwood. I think he is a terrific filmmaker. I like his style, two takes >and that's it. I like his, you know, his lack of pretentiousness, his >simplicity. I know people who have worked with him say he is great. He is one >I would like to work with, and I nearly did once. He offered me a part, and I >couldn't do it -- in some film, and I couldn't do it, so regrettably... maybe >one day I will. > >Host: Absolutely. We have actually been running a poll online in the AOL >Entertainment area for the past week, polling our members about who is the >last movie villain they'd want to run into in a dark alley, and Dr. Hannibal >Lecter has been winning with 46% of the vote. And you have some pretty stiff >competition, with Freddy Krueger and the star of The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. >How about you? Who is the last movie villain you would want to run into in a >dark alley? Would it be yourself? > >Anthony Hopkins: I like Hannibal. I think he is a very polite man. Actually, >I thought the first "Nightmare on Elm Street" was such a great movie. I >thought it was a fantastic movie. I didn't like some of the others that he >made, but Freddy Krueger was pretty scary. I know him (Hannibal) very well, >so I wouldn't be scared of him. > >Host: Let's see. Here is a question from one of our members: What was it >like to be knighted? > >Anthony Hopkins: It was very pleasant, quite a big surprise, and -- it was a >great surprise. This happened about seven years ago, I think. My -- I was >told I had a knighthood, and I had been offered a knighthood. I said, what >for? I didn't know why they were knighting me, because I didn't think I did >anything to deserve it. I went to the palace and met the queen. It's very >ceremonial, very dignified and very pleasant. I was asked once, what was more >exciting, the Oscar or the knighthood? I said, well, you can't -- they are >two different kind of ceremonies. The Oscar is crazy and exciting, and the >knighthood is very calm and dignified and very part of that British tradition. > >Anthony Hopkins: I don't use it, I don't walk around -- I always still feel >slightly uncomfortable when people call me Sir Anthony Hopkins. If people >want to call me that, that's fine. But people think they have to bow to me or >something, you know. I think some Americans think I ride around on a white >horse or something, but no, it's a very nice title. I am very grateful. I am >appreciative of it, but I did do something that may be unforgivable in the >British press. I became an American citizen. > >Anthony Hopkins: Which means that, in fact, you know, I have to -- as far as >America is concerned, I am not allowed to use the title of knighthood. I >never used it anyway, so -- I don't use it. But I am very honored and >grateful to people who gave me that honor. And I hope they understand that I >respect that. > >Host: We have another question coming in. It says: Mr. Hopkins, I would >like to say how much I admire you and your work. Your portrayal of Hannibal >Lecter is fascinating. Did you know from first reading how you would play the >part, or did you research it? > >Anthony Hopkins: No, I knew as soon as I read it how to play it. I didn't do >any research. I read one book by Truman Capote called "In Cold Blood" about >that detached crime that happened. It was made into a film many years ago >with Robert Blake. But I didn't do research. I don't really do research >unless it's absolutely necessary. For example, if I was playing a surgeon, I >would have to do some research and get advice on how to perform an operation, >you know, technical things. And sometimes I will research if it's of >interest to me or a historical character or something like that. Sure, I will >do the reading that is necessary. > >Anthony Hopkins: But playing Lecter, which is a purely fictional character, >I understood intuitively how to play it within a few minutes -- well, let's >say within a day of reading the script, a very strong impression came to me. >I saw him, and I saw the shape of him, the look of him, the sound of his >voice, and decided that intuitively, and I think sensibly, to go with that >and not complicate it and just play it very straight and very charmingly. The >trick of acting is to let the audience do the work. > >Anthony Hopkins: So I figured out -- none of this is calculated or >conscious, but I figured out that in the first 15 minutes of the movie, maybe >the first 10 minutes -- from the moment we see Jodie Foster running up the >hill, and they're going to the FBI headquarters with Jack Crawford and doing >her interview -- they talk about this creature, this man. He says, 'I don't >want Hannibal Lecter inside your head.' She says, 'Hannibal the Cannibal.' My >decision was, what is the audience's first impression when they see me? >Jonathan gave me the choice. He said, how would you like to be seen when we >first see you? I said, standing upright in the middle of the cell. > >Anthony Hopkins: And I don't know why that came up, but it was as if he knows >everything. When she sees him, he's got a very nice smile, and he says, 'Good >morning, you're from the FBI.' That can scare the hell out of the audience, >because he is very quiet, very gentle, very charming and polite to her. But >the audience has enough information on him -- that this man is not normal, >that he can kill within a second. So let the audience do the work. You do >that through stillness. It's like watching any animal that's still, like a >cat when it's about to pounce. You know how fascinating they are. Watching >reptiles, how still they are, how they pounce on their prey from assuming the >relaxed position. They're always fascinating and a little frightening. > >Host: With what you have spoken about Jonathan Demme, one of our members >would like to know: Who is the one director that you have worked with that >has made the most provocative impression on you? > >Anthony Hopkins: The most provocative impression? Well, there have been >several. Oliver Stone was one. Great director, terrific director. The ones I >have worked with are all different. Oliver Stone is a wonderful director. >Francis Ford Coppola. Jonathan Demme was one. They're all different, so it >would be unfair to say I prefer one over the other. > >Anthony Hopkins: But my recent most enjoyable experience was working with >Ridley Scott, because he is very easy, he is very efficient. He works very >quickly. Two takes and that's it. There is nothing so terrifying, so boring >as doing take after take because the director doesn't know what he is after. >Ridley Scott has this wonderful workmanlike -- a very practical, pragmatic >way of working. He sees it on the camera. He sees it in his mind's eye. He is >a graphic artist, and he includes the actors in the process. He trusts the >actors. He trusts them to do their job as he trusts the cameraman to do his >job and the sound department to do theirs. That makes it easy, and it makes >you feel that you're creative and that you're part of the process. There is >nothing worse than being excluded. I have worked with a few directors who >were like that, and they are a real pain. So I choose to not work with people >like that anymore. > >Host: One of our members asks: Was it hard to get back into character after >a break of almost 10 years? > >Host: Did Ridley Scott help? > >Anthony Hopkins: No, it was very easy. I read the script. It was easy. There >wasn't any problem at all. I have always been fascinated by cats, and so I >had to redevise a walk, which I wanted to be catlike, very smooth walking, >very -- not to use too much energy, just float around. So I based it on cat >movement. Nothing special about it, but I am just walking very serenely and >quietly around the streets of Florence. > > >*****HANNIBAL SPOILER AHEAD******* GO ON TO NEXT PART >* >* >* >* >* >* >* >* >* >* >* >* >* > >The character, beyond my control, has changed considerably from "Silence of >the Lambs." I saw the film a few weeks ago. He became more gentle in a way, >has dropped some of the mask of "Silence of the Lambs." I mean, I can't >describe it really, but as the film progresses, he changes. He makes a few >bad mistakes. He gets caught at one point, but it's as if he tempts fate too >much, and he makes one mistake and he gets caught. But anyway, she tries to >rescue him and he rescues her and so on, but he escapes again. >* >* >* >* >* >* >* >* >* >* >* **********END OF SPOILER**************** > >Host: Everyone is very intrigued to go and see this film. > >Anthony Hopkins: I hope you all have pleasant dreams afterwards. <voice of >Hannibal Lecter> > >Host: We actually have a question from a member in AOL Argentina. Given the >global nature of the Internet, we have people from all over the world in our >audience tonight. They've asked: What kind of characters do you enjoy doing >for the most part, and why? > >Anthony Hopkins: Well, I tend to play remote characters. I don't know. It's >maybe part of my nature, or maybe it's the way directors see me. I tend to be >-- not remote -- I am -- I like my solitude. I am very much a loner. That >sounds so weird to say that, but I like my own company. I don't seek out >friendships. I have some friends, but I like being on my own a lot. So I >suppose that comes off in my personality. I usually play men who are >solitary, knowledgeable, so on and so forth, and they're interesting >characters. > >Anthony Hopkins: Somebody said, you should do a comedy or play a romantic >part. I think I am getting too old to play romantic parts. Like "The Remains >of the Day," which is a romantic part but the guy who never gets the girl. >That's part of my personality. If I were Tom Cruise or whoever, Robert >Redford, then it would be a different story, but I am not. So I tend to play >these men who are very -- who tend to be quiet, mysterious, remote and >isolated. I am playing one at the moment with Alec Baldwin. I am playing >Daniel Webster in "The Devil and Daniel Webster," a man who is in control and >very powerful but remote, always moves on his own. Those characters fascinate >me for some reason. They have given me a good living. They have given me a >good career, so that's good. > >Host: They certainly have. Thank you for joining us. That was our last >question this evening, but I do want to end with a comment from one of the >members in our audience. One of the great things about this medium is that >our audience can share their feelings with you, and one member would like to >say: "Thank you for saying, 'Be bold, and mighty forces will come to your >aid,' that has helped me a lot." > >Anthony Hopkins: That's great. Thank you very much. > >Host: It's been great having you. Thanks for joining us. > >Anthony Hopkins: My love to everyone. > >Host: Thanks a lot. Good night. > >Copyright 2001 America Online, Inc. All Rights Reserved. > >* * * * * To subscribe and have fun discussions about movies, please send a blank e-mail to : >moviefans-subscribe@topica.com * * * * * > - ------------------------------------------------------------ Apollo Guide: The Best in Movie Reviews, DVD & Home Video Click Here for intelligent reviews online -> http://apolloguide.com [ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ] [ movies" (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 18 Feb 2001 10:09:28 -0800 From: "Marc C. Desbiens" <marcdesbiens@apolloguide.com> Subject: [MV] Menace II Society - 1993 I saw this film again, 4/5 ! Actually I liked it more this time around ! I had seen it once maybe 5 years ago and back then I thought 3.5/5 .. That was a bit harsh !! Top notch acting by everyone involved in this nasty film. Set in L.A. in 1993, lots of conflicts, drug dealing, drive-by-shootings, racism, growing up in the projects, etc. Mostly a character development tale as we follow the lives of a few young black men and women ... Tyrin Turner, Jada Pinkett (Great !), Larenz Tate, Samuel L. Jackson in a small role ... The language used is awful of course but this makes the movie more realistic as it is set in bad neighborhoods all the time and the characters are not exactly angels ... They are struggling to survive in this very harsh environment, being harassed by coppers, battling rival gangs, carrying hand canons, the works !! Now I was surprised though by the use of the "N" word repeatedly in this film ... I was remembering how they made such a big deal in the OJ Simpson trial about it ... Did the white detective use that word or not ... bla-bla ... Seems a bit ludicrous to get on his case for saying that word since according to this film it is really a word that is used often. I mean we must hear it 150 times during this movie and nearly all of the times it is said by a black man !! Once a guy even makes fun of one of his friends who says "Black man" instead of "N****r" ... Spike Lee complaining about it a couple of years ago, related to the Tarantino films, Jackie brown and company ... This one is a Hughes brothers project and unless I am mistaken they are indeed black men as well ... 4/5, but it is not a film that is easy to watch because of all the violence (This is a Hughes brothers film after all !) ... For example one of the characters shoots an asian store owner and his wife and then he gets the videotape from the surveillance camera and he watches it over and over, asking his friends to come over and see it ... he is REALLY proud of what he did and even says he'll sell copies for 59.95$ ... geeeesh ! Marc ;-) "Sticks and stones can break your bones ... but words will cause permanent damages ..." Eric Bogosian as "Barry Champlain" "Talk radio" (1988) - ------------------------------------------------------------ Apollo Guide: The Best in Movie Reviews, DVD & Home Video Click Here for intelligent reviews online -> http://apolloguide.com [ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ] [ movies" (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Sun, 18 Feb 2001 11:50:27 -0800 From: "Marc C. Desbiens" <marcdesbiens@apolloguide.com> Subject: [MV] Menacing Spike *** Marc ;-) Dallas wrote : >I hate this and other movie that show Black people in such a derogatory >manner. **** They were not saying all black people are like that but presenting a particular group of people who happen to live in a bad neighborhood in Los Angeles. The people presented are drug dealers, hoodlums ... one would have to be a fool to think all black people are like that ! The fact is that people like your self who get a thrill out of see >black portrayed in urban and "Ghettos" scene. With the pants down, bad >language, shooting up the streets. ***** I said it was a good movie and most people agree. This was the Hughes brothers first film (Unless I am mistaken !) and it was a huge hit. I think they could have cut down a bit on the swearing and the violence but anyway. I have spoken to many black that don't >watch or support Hugh Brother, Spike Lee cause most of his film show the >negative aspects of black. Dallas **** I like the Hughes Brothers films so far even if I agree that they are not presenting the black citizens in a very positive way : example : Dead presidents, American pimp,Menace II Society ... they are still making very good and interesting films. **** Spike Lee on the other hand made lots of "bad" films like He got game and Bamboozled, Girl 6 (?), he's still riding on his "Do the right thing" wave from the 80's (1988 ?). He should **try** to make good films before trashing Tarantino and others because they "N" word is used in their films, not that I like hearing that "N" word, it is used way too often in "Menace II society" but if they talk like that in real life I guess it was reasonable ... don't you think ? I would place Spike Lee in a list of "Overrated directors" myself. Marc ;-) - ------------------------------------------------------------ Apollo Guide: The Best in Movie Reviews, DVD & Home Video Click Here for intelligent reviews online -> http://apolloguide.com [ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ] [ movies" (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 19 Feb 2001 00:09:51 -0500 From: Mel Eperthener <bcassidy@usaor.net> Subject: Re: [MV] Menace II Society - 1993 At 10.09 AM 18/02/2001 -0800, you wrote: >Now I was surprised though by the use of the "N" word repeatedly in this film ... I was remembering how they made such a big deal in the OJ Simpson trial about it ... Did the white detective use that word or not ... bla-bla ... Seems a bit ludicrous to get on his case for saying that word since according to this film it is really a word that is used often. > >I mean we must hear it 150 times during this movie and nearly all of the times it is said by a black man !! Once a guy even makes fun of one of his friends who says "Black man" instead of "N****r" ... > >Spike Lee complaining about it a couple of years ago, related to the Tarantino films, Jackie brown and company ... This one is a Hughes brothers project and unless I am mistaken they are indeed black men as well ... > Man, not even sure if I want to go here....... You have to understand, in the States, it is alright for a black man to use this word, but if anyone that is not black uses it, look out. Spike Lee is complaining because of white filmmakers making films. He seems to think he owns the word. And, really, I best not say anything more, lest I be seen as being less than politically correct. However, for your reference, here is a story that appeared in the local paper yesterday, about this very subject: http://www.post-gazette.com/columnists/20010216tony.asp Fortuntely, it was written by a black columnist, so he can tackle the subject without being called a racist. Regards, - --Mel - --Mel Eperthener president, Gowanna Multi-media Pty Please support the endeavour of a friend and fellow Australian. Political Corrections by Michael Jaymes Cassidy http://www.angelfire.com/ma/politicalmusings ______________________________________________ I may disagree with what you have to say, but I shall defend, to the death, your right to say it. -Voltaire (1694-1778) - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- - --- [ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ] [ movies" (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 19 Feb 2001 09:26:59 -0600 From: Diane Christy <dchristy10@earthlink.net> Subject: Re: [MV] Hannibal At 7:16 AM -0700 2/18/01, A Kanizaj wrote: >Hmm. See,all I know is what you don't like. Um, to start off gently I >would recommend Almost Famous, it's still in theatres. It's been described >as seeing the 70's though rose coloured glasses, and thus avoiding Boogie >Nights type sex or Doors 2 drug use. I saw "Boogie Nights" and appreciated how it was done. But not my cup of tea. I loved the soundtrack though. That was my decade in high school. Brought back great memories!! > But it's really touching. Or, you >could see Greg Araki's latest, Splendour. It's out on video now, or I have >it on DVD to copy for sale. It's basically Araki-lite, which means it has >sex drugs homosexuals and mocking of LA, but toned down enough to get a >14A rating in Canada. It has been described as an update of Keaton-esque >farce and physical comedy. Two guys fall for the same woman, she loves >them both, they all move in together (but they avoid threesome scenes and >stuff), she gets preggo, and she decides she wants a more normal, stable >relationship. Hijinks and comedy ensue. Sounds interesting. > >If you are looking for comedy, I still insist on Clerks. It's graphic >language got it an NC-17 in US, but only a 14A here. It has no sex, >violence or drugs shown, but mucho graphic sex talk. But it is soooo funny >it is worth a look. I've definitely got to see "Clerks." > >Anybody else have any suggestions? > >-ak - -- ~~~~~ Diane Christy (Samantha and Joshua's Mom) Jefferson, LA http://www.geocities.com/diane507/ mailto:dchristy10@earthlink.net ICQ #12904700 <dchristy10> on Instant AOL Messenger ~~~~~ [ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ] [ movies" (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 19 Feb 2001 09:23:40 -0600 From: Diane Christy <dchristy10@earthlink.net> Subject: Re: [MV] Indy Films At 2:44 AM -0500 2/18/01, Mel Eperthener wrote: >Understandable. Whore can be a bit hard to stomache. > >For indy films, a good place to start might be Fargo. It is not really >independent, but has that feel, and a good story, and might be a good place >to start. Another one like that is The Usual Suspects, one of my favourite >films of all time. Oh, well, yes I saw "Fargo." I thought it was very good. And I loved "The Usual Suspects"!!! I thought it was so well written!! > >Being John Malkovich is another good introduction to this genre. And I >highly recommend the Kevin Smith films (who is a friend of a friend, but I >raved about his films before I even found this out). Clerks is the logical >place to start, but be forewarned. This film has no sex, no violence, no >nudity, nothing but language, and it still originally got an NC-17 rating, >the only film to ever get that on the basis of language alone. Chasing Amy >is equally good (Mallrats is when even Smith himself admits he sold out to >the studios), but also has some "troubling" issues. Besides, it is really >every man's lesbian fantasy (that being that all a lesbian needs to set her >straight is the right man), so I am sure most of the lesbian community >would hate this film. Dogma was protested by the Catholic Church before >anyone ever saw it, so until you see it, you cannot appreciate that it >actually has a very pro-religion message. I saw "Being John Malkovich" and disliked it. I hated the characters. I wasn't interested in them at all. I didn't care what happened to them. I need to see "Clerks." I saw "Chasing Amy" and I enjoyed that. Haven't seen "Mallrats." Haven't seen "Dogma" either. > >One thing is, most indy, or even quasi-independent films like to push the >envelope, and especially like to examine the effects of violence on people. > I think Pulp Fiction and Lock Stock and Two Smoking Barrels work on many >different levels, and have to be viewed beyond the top layer to really be >appreciated. If you were able to stomache A Clockwork Orange (and even I >had trouble with that), Romper Stomper is another good one that examines >some of the same social issues. That leads us into Once Were Warriors and >The Last Supper. If you can get thru those, then you might just be able to >handle Clean, Shaven. I have not got this far yet, but I do know it starts >off with seventeen minutes of static. I loved "Pulp Fiction." "Clockwork Orange" was just too weird for me. I saw "Once Were Warriors" and enjoyed it even though it was pretty gritty. 17 minutes of static? OK... > >A good way to get the feel for these movies without the overboard themes is >to go to the foreign films section of the video store. Giving into the >English language bias, let me give you some good foreign films that did >well overseas, but are high quality enough and obscure enough to give you >the same feel. Try Strictly Ballroom (very clean movie, the kids can even >watch) and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. I also think The Year My Voice >Broke is one of the best films ever made, and another that the entire >family can watch safely. One that I bet just about everyone missed is >Boulevard of Broken Dreams. Also, The Efficiency Expert is a great comedy, >and Don's Party did the big chill nearly two decades befor The Big Chill. I haven't seen any of these. > >Some other ones to consider are Love and Other Catastrophies, Shallow >Grave, The Unbearable Lightness of Being, High Art, Henry Fool, and Oscar >and Lucinda. Haven't seen these either. > >When you are up to dealing with subtitles, anything by Luc Besson will do >(The Big Blue, La Femme Nikita, The Visitors), as well as Oscar winners in >the Foreign Film catagory (Burnt By the Sun, Antonia's Line, Koyla, etc >etc), and let's not forget the Colours Trilogy (Bleu, Blanc, et Rogue, or >in English, Blue, White, and Red) Nope, none of these... > >Now, I know that these aren't the true independent films that were >suggested, but they are a start, and will ease you into the genre. And I >am sure that there are a lot of other suggestions that are more >independent. Some others that are more indepenent are When We Were Kings, >Once Upon A Time When We Were Coloured, In His Father's Shoes, and Looking >for Richard. And I am sure people are adding to this list as we speak. Nope. Boy I've got some films to see, huh?? > >> >>Nope, didn't like "Patch Adams." >>-- > >See, no matter what, everyone has to agree you can't be all bad:-) Thanks, Mel!! - -- ~~~~~ Diane Christy (Samantha and Joshua's Mom) Jefferson, LA http://www.geocities.com/diane507/ mailto:dchristy10@earthlink.net ICQ #12904700 <dchristy10> on Instant AOL Messenger ~~~~~ [ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ] [ movies" (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 19 Feb 2001 15:10:22 -0500 From: "Jennifer Burlingame" <jenburlingame@hotmail.com> Subject: [none] Has anyone seen Hannibal yet? I just saw it on Sunday and was rather disturbed by some of the scenes, but it was once again a "smart" movie. _________________________________________________________________ Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com [ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ] [ movies" (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 19 Feb 2001 13:51:27 -0700 From: "Brian Gaynor" <montag666@home.com> Subject: [MV] Date: Mon, 19 Feb 2001 14:48:47 -0600 Does anyone know of the current status of Terry Gilliams new picture "Don Quixote"? [ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ] [ movies" (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 19 Feb 2001 15:12:36 -0700 (MST) From: A Kanizaj <akanizaj@gpu.srv.ualberta.ca> Subject: [MV] Re: your mail What's a "smart" movie? We have been discussing this on this list as of late, ie gore vs the quality of the film, and the consensus seems to be it was a "dumb" movie but we are split on whether the gore was necessary. - -ak On Mon, 19 Feb 2001, Jennifer Burlingame wrote: > Has anyone seen Hannibal yet? I just saw it on Sunday and was rather > disturbed by some of the scenes, but it was once again a "smart" movie. > _________________________________________________________________ > Get your FREE download of MSN Explorer at http://explorer.msn.com > > > [ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ] > [ movies" (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] > [ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ] [ movies" (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Mon, 19 Feb 2001 19:06:40 -0600 From: Diane Christy <dchristy10@earthlink.net> Subject: [MV] Re: At 3:10 PM -0500 2/19/01, Jennifer Burlingame wrote: >Has anyone seen Hannibal yet? I just saw it on Sunday and was >rather disturbed by some of the scenes, but it was once again a >"smart" movie. Where have YOU been??!!!! - -- ~~~~~ Diane Christy (Samantha and Joshua's Mom) Jefferson, LA http://www.geocities.com/diane507/ mailto:dchristy10@earthlink.net ICQ #12904700 <dchristy10> on Instant AOL Messenger ~~~~~ [ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ] [ movies" (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ Date: Tue, 20 Feb 2001 10:59:38 -0000 From: MARK DAINTY <MARK@zippack.co.uk> Subject: [MV] Showgirls - So bad it's BAD!! I have waited many years to see Showgirls, I missed the opportunity at the cinema, and this weekend I got my chance as it was on Channel 4 (UK). Now, I can almost hear you screaming "WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO SEE THAT?" - well Paul Verhoeven is one of my favourite directors - I love his over the top style - wonderful visuals and a devil-may-care attitude - - and I had heard that this film fell into the "so bad it's GOOD" category - a-la "Coyote Ugly". Boy, were people ever wrong. I love naff films, films that you enjoy for their badness, however, occasionally there are films that are so bad they are just plain bad, "Wild Wild West" was a recent example, a turgid piece of moviemaking, and a film that I particularly despise for stealing 2 hours of my life that I will never get back. Coming close behind "Wild Wild West" has to be "Showgirls". How this movie got greenlighted I will never know, how the studio sank so much money into it I will never know, and how Verhoeven allows himself to be associated with this film I WILL NEVER KNOW!!!!! The film, for those who don't know, follows the trials and tribulations of a wannabe showgirl - Nomi (played terribly by Elizabeth Berkly of "Saved by the Bell" fame). Essentially she gets to LA, forges friendships, works at a strip club, becomes a dancer in a Major Hotel Show, cheats her way to the top, gets found out, gets a friend hurt, leaves LA - THAT IS IT. If you think that I have oversimplified the plot, believe me I have probably made more out of it than there actually is. When you look at some of the people in this film you have to ask yourself - DID THEY READ THE SCRIPT??? It stars actors such as Kyle Maclachlan, Gina Gershon and Robert Davi - whilst none of them are "A" list, they have all made decent films in the past. Teh film introduces and throws away so many characters and situations that you really can't be bothered in the end, and just pray for the merry-go-round to stop, before you throw up. MINOR SPOILER - LIKE YOU CARE!! It turns particularly nasty towards the end with a gang-rape scene that is as unnecessary as it is graphic, and the decision of Nomi not to tell the police what has happened to her friend for fear of losing her job, and then to leave town anyway, is nonsensical. SPOILER OVER!! Elizabeth Berkley - yes she has a great body - NO SHE CAN NOT ACT!!! Her character is so dislikable that you really don't give a flying fig what happens to her, infact you start hoping that something bad will happen to her. Her character is all over the place it seems like she is experiencing perennial PMT - (Sorry if that offends, ladies). "Ahhh, but what about the dance scenes?" you say - surely a film like this is all about the dance scenes? Well, it should be, but they too are a terrible effort, they just don't convey any of the majesty that you would expect a Sell Out Show to provide, they are maudlin affairs, with little to incite or excite. Why Verhoeven decided that it would be preferable for us to hear the dancers grunting over the music befuddles me. I still love Verhoeven, "Starship Troopers" is a satirical classic, and I even liked "Hollow Man" enough to buy the DVD, but this film is as bad as people say it is. Don't be tricked into thinking it will aspire to cult status - it won't. The sooner this film trundles out of existence the better. Marc, using your "Marcometer" I wouldn't even give this film 0.5/5 - it really has very little of merit. MARK [ To leave the movies mailing list, send the message "unsubscribe ] [ movies" (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ] ------------------------------ End of movies-digest V2 #325 **************************** [ To quit the movies-digest mailing list (big mistake), send the message ] [ "unsubscribe movies-digest" (without the quotes) to majordomo@xmission.com ]