If you have access to it, I found the Director's Cut to Troy was much better than the Theatrical Version. It adds another half hour to the movie, in little bits here and there. Like the Special Editions did for LOTOR, it really helps explain what is going on much better, and adds more depth to the characters.

The same with the "Special Edition" of 300

This post has been edited by SubRosa: Dec 24 2010, 07:03 PM

Thanks 'Rosa! I've ordered them and they should arrive within the next couple of weeks.

Thanks to Grits' Home For The Holidays, I have been watching Jane Austen movies in between episodes of Kung Fu. I watched the 2007 version of Persuasion last week, Becoming Jane earlier in the week, and the 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice a few nights ago. I am still hankering for more, but am not sure what to watch next. I kind of want to do the "real" version of P&P (the 1995 epic), but it is a really big commitment in time. Or I am thinking of watching Lost in Austen again, or perhaps Miss Austen Regrets.

Or maybe something else. Has anyone ever seen the 1999 or 2007 versions of Mansfield Park? I tried the 1983 version last summer, and just could not get into it. What about the 2007 version of Northranger Park?

I am just not in the mood for Emma, or Sense and Sensibility right now, as I watched both back in the summer as well.

Er...was that the one with Colin Firth in it as Mr. Darcy?

No, Colin Firth was in the 1995 version. The 2005 had Keira Knightly as Elizabeth Bennett, and Donald Sutherland as her dad. I have no idea who played Darcy. Which is kind of strange, since they got star power for many other parts. You would have thought they would have got a well-established actor for him too. At only 2 hours, it rushes everything along too quickly. You cannot tell that story in so short a time. It even completely cut the Darcy in the lake scene. I guess because they knew they could not hope to compete with Colin Firth there. I tried watching it once before, but never finished. The 1995 is by far superior.

Here's a thought, who would be an interesting modern or past actor to play Mr. Darcy? Some ideas:
Clint Eastwood, when he was in his prime. (Of course in this version Wickham would die).
Gregory Peck, again in his prime. With is quiet, but powerful charisma he would have really rocked in his role.
Christian Bale He strikes me as probably the best modern-day actor to fill Darcy's shoes. He's tall, put together, and has a reasonable amount of charisma.
Gerard Butler Just to hear him scream "THIS IS PEMBERLY!" in Elizabeth's face!

This post has been edited by SubRosa: Dec 25 2010, 12:15 AM

Angel season 5.

All of my favorite characters have finally come together. David Borenaz as Angel, James Marsters as Spike (my personal favorite Buffy character of all time), Andy Hallet as Lorne...

I gotta say, seeing Gunn become the worlds best lawyer was hysterical.

I forced myself (out of desperation) to watch the version you are talking about - I came in halfway through and only got as far as the scene by the lake that never happened - I don't think any of the actors performed to the standards set (for me) by the version with Colin Firth. And it is not JUST because Colin Firth is in it, either. I thought Jennifer Ehle was Awesome in her role - the rest of the cast were well above standard in their roles.

The 'Sense and Sensibility' that is out right now with Alan Rickman (another favorite of mine) playing Col. Brandon is my favorite making of that book. Emma Thompson has maintained the position as my favorite female actress for quite some time now.

'Emma' is my least favorite of the movies made from the books. The version with Gwyneth Paltrow is good, but can't match the appeal or immersion of the others. Paltrow did a wonderful job, but just can't match the caliber of Thompson, Ehle, Winslet (IMHO).

This post has been edited by mALX: Dec 25 2010, 01:30 AM

I had to make myself watch the new P&P as well. You hit it all on the head. It just pales in comparison all around to the 1995 version. And quite right about Jennifer Ehle, she really brings the role of Eliza to life.

The Alan Rickman,Emma Thompson, Kate Winslet version of Sense and Sensibility is my favorite as well. Alan Rickman is just so damn cool in that film.

I have not seen the Paltrow version of Emma. I did see the Kate Beckinsale version though (goddess is she young in it too!). My favorite version of the story is Clueless however. It is such a wonderful translation into the modern world, with a character I found much more likeable than that of the normal story.

I started watching the 1995 version of Pride and Prejudice again tonight. Just finished the first part now. As good a film as it is, it is even better the second time around. Now I notice little things I never noticed before. Colin Firth speaks volumes with every little look, you can see him being so entranced by Elizabeth that her low social standing and rather boorish family members cannot quash it completely. While he certainly has the overabundance of pride and conceit of high society, at the same time he has very good reason to look down upon the behaviour of most of the Bennetts. Which really do not live up to the standards of the time.

It also makes me imagine how P&P might be redone in a modern setting, as Clueless did to Emma. I suppose balls could be replaced by rave parties. Not sure about the rest though. It is hard to bring Austen stories to the 21st century, as the constraints of society today are not nearly as rigid as they were in Regency England.

This post has been edited by SubRosa: Dec 25 2010, 01:49 AM

I agree. It takes away from the ambience to change centuries with these. Part of what I love about them is the world they bring you into for those few hours.

You spoke truth regarding Colin Firth. His eyes can simmer with anger or passion, shame or love - his expressions are easily discerned without facial expressions, just through his eyes. Valmont was a huge example of his ability to set the mood of the whole set with his eyes.

Emma Thompson (to me) is a prime example of that in females, Kate Winslet has a remarkably readable face as well.

American actresses in a lot of ways rely on make-up, action, sex appeal - to bring a scene to life. Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet could do the same thing with no make-up or action, no sexual innuendo - wearing a burlap sack for a dress - they make the scene on their ability alone - that is huge to me if I am going to sit down and watch a movie. I want to believe what I am seeing is happening, not actors playing a role.

In that vein, Donald Sutherland (good though he may be) - leaves me with the feeling that I am watching an actor in a role. In the 1995 version - I never felt anyone was acting, but felt like a soul that had slipped into their realm unbeknownst to witness a moment in their lives. To me, that is the way I want to feel when I watch anything. It isn't met as often as I would like, either.

This post has been edited by mALX: Dec 25 2010, 02:32 AM

Well, I'll be watching some classic Doctor Who for a while. I got about 15 Doctor Who DVDs from my awesome family for Christmas.

I have mentioned before that we are working through the entire series of Homicide: Life on the Street.

For Christmas, Mrs. Treydog and I pooled our gift certificates and got the entire series plus the Law & Order crossover episodes plus the movie (not available from Netflix).

I did remark that it was a bit worrisome that our gift to each other was a box of murder....

But, of course, the series is so much more than that. In fact- the homicide(s) simply serve as a source of stress to show people at their worst (and best). What it is really about is how a group of people can do the job without losing themselves- or what happens if they do. And the acting and writing and cinematography are all just incredible.

ROFL !!! I have been watching the Deadly Women series, lol. (real cases from the time the body is found through the jury hands over their verdict, then they interview the jury to see how they came to the decision - but the murderers are all women, and usually their husbands are the victims).

Hope you two (and pets) are enjoying the Holidays, and that your New Year (2011) ROCKS !!!

This post has been edited by mALX: Dec 31 2010, 04:20 PM

My Christmas Eve/Day movie-marathon playlist consisted of Die Hard 1 & 2, Gremlins, Lethal Weapon, Scrooged, Bad Santa and A Muppet's Christmas Carol. Hardcore.

Today I paid a visit to the theater for a viewing of Black Swan.

That was an experience... and a trip... maybe even both! It is the story of a schizophrenic ballerina who, under the pressure of the lead role in a major upcoming performance of Tchaikovsky's Swan Lake, slowly loses control of her condition. By the third act the lines between her two personalities have blurred so much that neither she nor the audience can tell what is real or simply a hallucination, and it gets pretty crazy at times.

This post has been edited by Thomas Kaira: Jan 2 2011, 05:38 AM

I am envious my man. I've been excited for this since I found out it was an Aronofsky film. I'll see anything of his and that fact that it's Natalie Portman and Mila Kunis makes it still more alluring. I really can't miss this; I've gotta see it soon.

Well my first of January viewing consisted of:

The Thick of It - for those that don't know it it's a British political satire (once described as the perfect opposite of the West Wing), everyone in it is obnoxious and incompetant which makes good hangover watching. The main character, Malcolm Tucker, is the real icong on the cake though, it's fairly obvious who he was based on. Certainly one to watch though I should probably mention that the language in it probably isn't very PG-13.

Starship Troopers - which has no right to be nearly as enjoyable as it is. The mindlessness was great though some of the gore was a bit much for my delicate state.

And finally Event Horizon - now there is an evil film, certain to cause as good nights sleep...


Gooooood choices.

OOOOOOOOH! I was watching Inception, Planet of the Apes, I am Legend, Sherlock Holmes, and Matrix!

All my favorite movies! HAHAHA! When we were watching Planet of the Apes and I am Legend, my 14 yr. old sister had to run into the other room. LOL. ANd to protect her reputation, I won't mention her name on this forum, because her storie is good... LOL. Shame on you, (using common codename not assioated w/ forum or real world) Nelly!

"Elizabeth" - a new "redo" on the life of Queen Elizabeth, and the best I have ever seen done - Awesome film !!! Epic !!!

This post has been edited by mALX: Jan 4 2011, 04:32 AM

Is that the Cate Blanchett one? I loved that. There was a sequel, Elizabeth - The Golden Age, which was decent, although not quite as good.

Yes! I just saw it for the first time, it was epic - the battle at sea, and the way they had her standing on the shore when the storm came that night - the musical score - everything was so well done !!!

One of the things I loved is that she seemed almost to float slowly across the room when she was feeling intense (and with the severely white make-up on - I could imagine being the one she was "floating" toward feeling the power of her as overwhelming !!!)