Sunday, November 25, 2012

A couple of great movies

This week I have gone to two different movies with my family here in Texas. The first is Lincoln with Daniel Day-Lewis and Sally Field. I think I can say without reservation that Day-Lewis' performance is without parallel in any movie I have seen for such a long time. He didn't just act the part, he BECAME Lincoln.

There were some uncomfortable moments in the movie when they portrayed the awfulness of the Civil War, with graphic scenes reminding the viewer how much more personal warfare was when men were grappling hand to hand with bayonets. And the scene where Lincoln rode in on horseback surveying the battlefield... oh, that broke my heart.

But the parts that were incredibly fascinating were there, too, seeing the way politics worked back then. Even though I knew the outcome of the vote to pass the 13th Amendment, in the movie it was so well done that I held my breath as the votes were cast. If you get a chance to see this movie, I don't think you will be disappointed. Not to mention if you are an Oscar aficionado, you will be required to see this one because it will receive all kinds of accolades. It is a movie I would see again, even with the violence, which was not gratuitous but necessary to understanding the decisions Lincoln made.

The other movie we saw together is The Life of Pi. It is based on the 2001 novel by Yann Martel and was made into a 3-D movie. You don't have to see it in 3-D, and since it had just been released and it was the day after Thanksgiving, we saw the 2-D version. It was still very crowded but nowhere near as much.

What can I say about this movie? It thrilled me in every aspect. Even though we didn't get the extreme effect of being inside the movie, it didn't detract from the experience at all. The visual elements are breathtaking in any dimension. The story was enthralling, from start to finish.

When I came home and read reviews of the movie, I realized that much of it was computer generated, and I had no idea which parts were real and which were not... it didn't matter to me at all, and I am indebted to the producers and directors for creating a film that tells a great story and gives it to us as a treasure.

I was reminded of Avatar when I saw it because of the lushness of the landscapes that were created, but this movie has something more: a strong message about religion and God that resonated deep within me. Some of the reviewers disliked this part of the movie, but I myself found it to be essential. I downloaded the book onto my iPad so I can read it during the long journey home on Tuesday. I peeked at it and was quickly drawn into the book, so I closed it to stop myself from reading it right then. It won the Booker Prize in 2002.

I will see this movie in 3-D with my partner when I return home. It is a movie for the ages. There's not much more I can say without giving away the plot (which is available on that Wikipedia link above if you want to read it), but I cannot praise either movie high enough. As different as they are from each other, they are both well worth seeing. Enjoy!
:-)

30 comments:

  1. hey DJan! Thank you so much for talking about Life of Pi! It comes out here next week and I'd been wondering wether or not to see it, not having read the book and not really knowing much about it. From the sound of things I should probably go for the 3D version then... ;o)

    A friend of mine in Missouri got to see an advance viewing of Lincoln almost a month ago and she was raving about how wonderful it was on Facebook. She's a big Oscar aficionado and quite skilled at predictions and she's going all-in for Daniel Day Lewis as Best Actor! :p
    I don't know when it will hit screens here... but I know I'll be disappointed I can only see it in Spanish. The Gettysburg address (I'm sure that's in there, right?) should be heard in English!!! :o(

    I'm making lunch now (main meal in Spain), experimenting with couscous. If my dad survives my cooking and he feels up to it I'll take him out to see the new Clint Eastwood movie. He was intrigued by the trailer. It would be a calm outing and he gets a bit of cabin fever locked up in here resting all the time!

    Enjoy the rest of your visit! :o)

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  2. oh this might as well be the short list of movies i want to see...read the life of pi years ago and i cant wait to see it...glad it got a good review from you...

    did you know my son was in the final 6 to play lincolns son in the movie...pretty cool...cant wait to see it anyway....

    guess it will be 6 months though for these to make it to the dollar theatre here...

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  3. Thanks, I'll see them both. I read the Life of Pi and loved every delicious word of it. What a remarkable book product of a remarkable imagination.

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  4. Morning DJan - I read the life of Pi quite some time ago and remember what a great read it was. You will probably still be on the plane going to another destination, you will be so caught up in the book. ha,ha. The film I will definately see and also look forward to seeing these "couple of great movies". I can always count on you to give us a "heads up" great account of books, movies n travels. Thanks a bunch, Eh. Safe Journey Home.

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  5. I read the Life of Pi and am dying of curiosity as to how they could possibly put that story on the screen. They will have to have made changes, I would think, and how will they end it? When I heard they had made a movie of it I was confounded. I'll be very curious to see what you think of the book after seeing the movie first and comparing the two.

    Lincoln looks amazing and I can hardly wait till both of these come out on video. I am glad to hear you say Lincoln was as good as I thought it might be. :)

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  6. Lincoln will probably be the only movie I go to the theater for this year or next. I'm excited about seeing it.

    I tried reading the Life of Pi but just could not get into it. I think I lack the fantasy gene or something. Regardless, I'm happy to hear you enjoyed both.

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  7. We saw LINCOLN last night and it is still on my mind. Linclon riding through that batttlefield after the amendment passed was, I think, a kind of punishment/atonement for delaying a surrender until after the constitutional abolition of slavery was achieved.
    It was a great movie, and I agree with you about Daniel Day Lewis. I thought Sally Fields was great too.
    Life of Pi will be our next movie date, in 3D.

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  8. I saw LINCOLN on Friday & sat spellbound through the entire movie. I can't say enough good things about it. I do hope it wins many awards.

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  9. Oh thank you, DJan. I'm definitely planning to see Lincoln next week. I'd love to have seen it this week, but Art has a respiratory cough. I want to make sure the cough stops before we go to a movie. On the other hand, let's hope I haven't caught it. I'm so glad you mentioned about the 3D because we'll make sure to see it with the 3D in town.

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  10. I read Life of Pie ages ago. That movie makers can use so much that's not real has me wondering at what point we may so duped we won't know we've been had. But I suppose that's for the next generation to keep in mind.
    They are seeing the world differently.

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  11. DJan, you hit on the only 2 movies that have come out since Avatar that I want to see. I'm not a movie person, but these sound really great. And while possibly we could wait and see Lincoln on DVD, Life of Pi probably needs the big screen.

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  12. Seeing a couple of movies with family makes for a good time. I think I read the Life of Pi but I cannot remember anything about it. I'll have to get the book again.

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  13. I read Life of Pi in recent months while recuperating from surgery and enjoyed it thoroughly. I saw the ads on TV for the movie just a couple of days ago and was thinking that I MUST see it.

    I will also see Lincoln when it shows here too after your fantastic review. Daniel Day Lewis is an awesome actor.

    Enjoy the rest of your visit! xo

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  14. I was hoping to The Life of Pi with you. Am looking forward to your return. Glad you've had such a great visit.

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  15. I completely agree with you on Lincoln...Daniel Day Lewis did become Lincoln. If he and Speilberg do not get Academy Awards, something is drastically wrong.

    I still have not seen Life of Pi, but plan on seeing it this week.

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  16. Thanks so much for the reviews - I've been wanting to see both of them and now I REALLY want to see both of them. You are really going to enjoy the book; I can promise.

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  17. I can't wait to see these as well. D.D. Lewis certainly embodies his roles. I loved him in Gangs of New York. And I agree. I don't even want to know which parts in PI are digital if they do such a good job. That is the magic of it.

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  18. We too saw Lincoln, and although it hadn't been my choice, I was blown away. Great review you've done!

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  19. Dear DJan, I saw "Lincoln" this past Saturday. Like you, I believe that Daniel Day-Lewis "became" Lincoln. Such a powerful movie in so many ways.

    I thought I wouldn't go to the second movie because 3-D is difficult for someone with Meniere's. So I'm glad to learn from you that the 2-D version is deeply satisfying. Peace.

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  20. They hardly ever make movies like this anymore. Which is really really to bad. DDLewis was terrific but Tommy Lee Jones astonished me. Whoda thought?

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  21. First off DJan...I LOVED viewing your Thanksgiving photo and comparing it to so many years ago. How wonderful!!! And such beautiful smiles you two have.

    As for the movies, I think D D Lewis would probably make a good Lincoln in part/character, but the movie trailers I've seen his face and make-up just isn't 'hollow' enough in the cheekbones. LOL {I know that's just a bit silly, but it's true} But I DO want to see it when it comes out on DVD. For sure, for sure.

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  22. I will wait til they come out on DVD or on the TV..I am a patient person:)

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  23. It sounds like you picked a couple of winners. I always prefer to read a book before seeing the movie, if I can. I might just have to do that with The Life of Pi.

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  24. I value your opinion, and I will see both of these. Thank you, Jan....
    J.

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  25. These 2 are on our list.The trailers of both looked fantastic.

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  26. I am not sure whether I’d like to see Lincoln’s movie – as partly fiction perhaps. I have just been studying myths in history and there are so many about Lincoln. Because we live only 3 miles from a famous Civil War battlefield park years ago I read a series of books on Lincoln (also in other languages) and was surprised at the large number of untruth told about him. I did read his own papers to make sure (about his religion, if any, and his sexual tendencies (not well known) – many people rather believe the myths. I read that the movie is based on a book which does not dispel the myths unfortunately (there are some that do though.) I was not brought up in this country so I was neutral about him and am still conflicted about some of the things I learnt and would not want to state here as people would not like it - not everyone is perfect – he was a Republican politician after all. I think the American public will love the movie though because they have elevated him to a high pedestal.

    I will see the Life of Pi though – I read briefly about it- his name for example came from the Piscine Molitor in Paris (no longer there) where I used to swim in summer and ice skate in winter. Then I think he was brought up in Pondicherry, India – which used to be a French territory and where I have wished to go for ages. Thanks for the reviews.

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  27. I went through your comments this time to see what other people thought of Life of Pi.

    We took mom to see it yesterday and had to explain the dialogue afterwards which was doubly hard for her because of the Indian accent on top of her difficultly in understanding English as it is. She loved the movie and we enjoyed it too.

    I think what we most enjoyed were the special effects. That was just awesome! I can't imagine how they did it.

    However, I'm still wondering just how much of a box office success this will be. It could go either way I think.

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  28. Loved, loved, loved this post. You opened with one of my favourite actors ever. Daniel Day Lewis. In the Name of the Father, My Left Foot, My Beautiful Laundrette. I've seen them all and you know what? I can't wait to see Lincoln, too. I loved your review. Many thanks.

    Greetings from London.

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  29. Both of these movies have been on my must watch list, you just bumped them up a notch!

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  30. I read the Life of Pi and it was amazing. Just saw Argo and loved it...Lincoln is next on my list!

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