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Post by Gail in SC on Nov 30, 2020 21:30:38 GMT
This morning was the last session of the film class I have been taking. The film was THE RIDER. I saw it when it first came out and enjoyed it even more this time around. It is quite a film. Chloe Zhao, the director, has been fascinated by the Badlands area of South Dakota and the Indian Reservations there and made an earlier film there as well. The scenery is almost a character in the film. The actors are mostly non-actors playing themselves. The main character, Brady, is a bronco buster for whom performing in rodeos has been the focus of his life. He was trampled by a horse and told he could no longer ride. It is so sensitively done. Brady, an Indian cowboy, is in a macho field but he is a man with a huge 'feminine side.' I loved it.
I also finished THE UNDOING on HBO. Nicole Kidman, Hugh Grant, and Donald Sutherland were all excellent in it, as was the young man who played Kidman and Grant's son. I would have binged to finish this one and am glad it was shown one episode at a time so I couldn't do that.
Connie, I know what you mean about being alone this holiday season. I'm glad you are feeling better. My back went out yesterday and I have had painful spasms since, with brief periods of respite thanks to Tylenol. I have called my doctor as I have had trouble breathing due to the pain. Time for another pill.
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Post by lani on Nov 30, 2020 23:06:29 GMT
Gail in SC, sorry you're in pain. The forced inactivity these days is not helping our bodies.
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Post by woolworker on Dec 1, 2020 19:08:21 GMT
Gail: I am so sorry you are having painful spasms. Listen to your body and don't over do anything. Put your feet up, read and watch a movie.
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Post by woolworker on Dec 2, 2020 2:19:10 GMT
I just watched IAm Woman, the Helen Reddy story. It was wonderful. I loved her songs and her story is poignant. She was something! I watched it on Netflix.
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Post by Gail in SC on Dec 2, 2020 5:16:19 GMT
Feeling a lot better today! Even went for a short walk. Thank you for your well-wishes.
Ann, thank you for recommending the series on THE WINDSORS. It is interesting to watch it with THE CROWN. Their history is fascinating.
For those of you who have watched THE UNDOING on HBO (very good), Teri Gross interviewed Hugh Grant on FRESH AIR. You can get it on the FRESH AIR podcast. But don't listen until you have watched the whole series as there are spoilers.
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Post by Gail in SC on Dec 2, 2020 21:30:28 GMT
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Post by Gail in SC on Dec 4, 2020 18:28:30 GMT
My next film class focuses again on female directors. Each person (or team) will do a presentation on a film directed by a woman from a list of the 100 Greatest Films Directed by Women. The list was compiled by BBC Culture. I just started looking over the list and am excited. We did this once before with this instructor. Ann, C did an amazing job. Here's the list: www.bbc.com/culture/article/20191125-the-100-greatest-films-directed-by-women-poll
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Post by conniej on Dec 4, 2020 19:14:46 GMT
Oh Gosh Gail, sorry you are hurting. Between shoveling snow and carrying up stairs Christmas totes my back and shoulders are letting me know I am doing too much.
Is anyone watching Big Sky on ABC. ? I am hooked!!
Big Sky
2020 ‧ Police procedural ‧ 1 season
Storyteller David E. Kelly ("Big Little Lies") presents a series about private detectives Cassie Dewell and Cody Hoyt, who join forces with Cody's estranged wife and ex-cop, Jenny Hoyt, to search for two sisters who have been kidnapped by a truck driver on a remote highway in Montana. When they discover that these are not the only girls who have disappeared in the area, they must race against the clock to stop the killer before another woman is taken. Based on the series of books by C.J. Box, the series stars Katheryn Winnick, Kylie Bunbury and Ryan Phillippe.
I am not sure but it may be on Netflix as well. I don't get that so guess you could check it out.
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Post by Gail in SC on Dec 4, 2020 23:12:53 GMT
I watched the first episode of BIG SKY, Connie. It is available free on the ABC website. Having just finished THE UNDOING, it is fun to compare the two by David E Kelley. I looked up his career and he has been hugely productive. I think the acting is better on THE UNDOING, but one can get into both.
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Post by lani on Dec 6, 2020 19:43:54 GMT
I started watching MANK about a writer who contributed a lot to Citizen Kane. On NetFlix, I'm pretty sure. Great acting, the dialogue is almost too witty. Won't be for everyone, but I am up for anything a bit different these days.
I was totally disappointed with the conclusion of THE UNDOING. I was anticipating a huge twist. Have to watch those expectations.
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Post by Gail in SC on Dec 7, 2020 4:16:13 GMT
I loved MANK, Lani. Such an interesting portrayal of those days in classic Hollywood. Oh my, so much drinking and smoking. For those of you who haven't seen it, it is about Herman Mankiewicz, who wrote the screenplay for CITIZEN KANE. Gary Oldman does a great job as Mank and Amanda Seyfried is just fantastic as Marion Davies. I watched an interview with Ben Mankiewicz, Mank's grandson, who is one of the hosts on TCM.
Yes, the conclusion of THE UNDOING was not a twist but I did enjoy the acting all the way through.
Tonight I watched MY OCTOPUS TEACHER, a documentary about the relationship a diver developed with an octopus in the wild. Partially as a result of this relationship, the diver became involved with a group dedicated to sustaining life under the sea. I had become mesmerized by the book THE SOUL OF AN OCTOPUS and to see the relationship develop in this film was quite beautiful. I have done some snorkeling and the feeling of being underwater is magical. This captures that magic.Slow-moving, not for everyone, but it hit the spot for me tonight.
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Post by woolworker on Dec 7, 2020 14:52:09 GMT
The New York Times had a small note about women film makers. The website: futureoffilmisfemale.com/december-shorts-2020 is posting short films by women filmmakers. Gail, your film group might be interested in the link. I sent it to C, as well.
I watched Tara Road while I worked on Christmas knitting yesterday. It is based on the novel by Maeve Binchy. It is about a British woman and an American woman who switch homes during a time when they are both troubled by personal issues. It was fine, especially as something to watch while working on a project.
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Post by Gail in SC on Dec 7, 2020 21:24:27 GMT
I will look that site up, Ann. Thank you!
Did any of you read REMARKABLE CREATURES by Tracy Chevalier? It is historical fiction based on the life of Mary Anning, a woman who learned to spy fossils near her home and became the first person (as a young girl) to discover pterodactyl bones. I am fascinated by her story. There is a new film based loosely on her remarkable life. It introduces a fictional female character with whom Anning develops an intimate relationship. It stars Kate Winslet and Saoirse Ronan. I admire both of them and want to see it. However, right now it costs 19.99 to rent. I think that's too much and will wait. Has anyone heard of a cheaper way to view it?
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Post by geritru on Dec 7, 2020 21:57:48 GMT
Ann, Thanks for the review of I AM WOMAN. I plan to watch it tonight while Mike watches football.
Connie, THE BIG SKY sounds good. Will check it out.
Gail, I want to watch THE CROWN, too. Just haven't got to it yet.
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Post by lani on Dec 8, 2020 18:30:24 GMT
I forgot to mention, in MANK Lily Collins (EMILY IN PARIS) has a fairly prominent role. She keeps turning up in unexpected places. Also, I continue to marvel at British actors' mastery of American accents. I remember when they were pretty awful. Now you would never know.
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