Films you've seen lately

[Nick Armstrong]

I don't think we've ever had a thread about cinema-going, and recommendations for films to see on the big screen. This occurred to me the other day when I saw a post somewhere else about Quartet, Dustin Hoffman's new film with Maggie Smith et al. Maybe the reason there's not been a cinema-going thread is that Forumistas are not great cinema-goers, in which case this thread will be dead in the water.

But it occurred to me again today that it might be fun to have a place where we can exchange recommendations, pool reviews &c.

It occurred to me because I would most enthusiastically recommend 'LIFE OF PI', Ang Lee's film based on the award-winning (Booker 2002) Yann Martel novel.

Enthralling, dazzling, gripping, sometimes funny - and not too much of the 'religiosity-lite' I'd slightly feared beforehand.

I'm not by any means a 3D enthusiast - too often, it seems to sap real-life action of reality, paradoxically - but it adds hugely to the impact of this film, especially of course the scenes in the Pacific, but also the early scenes in India.

The visual splendour of the film would in my view reward anyone sufficiently to warrant a trip to the cinema. It won't have the same impact on a small screen. I wouldn't be surprised if I go and see it again, just to experience the 'ride' again...

[Mandryka]

I've worked out that I visit the cinema once a year, usually in January. This year, it was My Week With Marilyn (rather good). Nothing appeals for early 2013, though.

For a long time now, I've disliked mainstream cinema and am depressed at the continuing popularity (especially among adults) of science fiction and fantasy genres, as well as 'sex' comedies and 'action adventure' movies.

Frankly, there are still so many great films from yesteryear which maybe slipped under the radar and which I'm now discovering on DVD. 'Cinemagoers' do talk a lot of pious nonsense about the 'vitality' of the cinema experience - complete with latecomers, unstifled mobile phones, persistent chatterers and all manner of other annoyances. Better to watch something in conditions entirely controlled by you, the viewer, I say.

Hst, i do like Ang Lee: he seems capapble of turning his hand to anything, though I think The Ice Storm and Brokeback Mountain are his best films.

[Nick Armstrong]

Hst, i do like Ang Lee: he seems capapble of turning his hand to anything, though I think The Ice Storm and Brokeback Mountain are his best films.

I agree about the "L'enfer c'est les autres" effect in cinemas, of course. I probably go a little more often than you - maybe 6 times a year. Early on this afternoon, somebody was doing something unimaginable with a noisy plastic bag, incessantly, just behind us, during the first part of the film; and there was the scronch scronch scronch of popcorn-munching around the cinema... But quite soon, either everyone was silenced by the film, or I ceased to notice anything else.

Honestly Mandy, you could do a lot worse than take in "Life of Pi" as your January flick this year. I'd be very interested to know what you make of it, as you seem to share a lot of my reservations about 'Cinemagoers'.

[Belgrove]

Ang Lee is the most difficult of film directors to categorise. But his works are all beautifully made with a strong visual sensibility. I endorse Caliban's enthusiasm for Life of Pi; it is ravishingly beautiful and exhibits the finest use of 3D in cinema yet seen. A complete film with all its elements (including music) in place.

More magic to behold with The Master & Margarita at the Barbican last night - staggering stagecraft and ultimately as redemptive and cosmic as anything in Wagner. The audience was stunned into a reflective silence at the end.

[umslopogaas]

Belgrove, who directed 'The Master and Margarita'? Is it on general release? I've read the book and would very much like to see the film, but I somehow doubt it will ever make it to the Tivoli in Tiverton and Devon is too far from London to consider going to the Barbican to see a film.

It must be very recent, since its not in my 2012 Film Guide.

[Belgrove]

Umslopogaas. Forgive me for confusing a thread on film with a theatrical work, albeit one which uses state of the art video technology in the most innovative and spectacular way I have ever witnessed. Margarita's flight over Moscow astonishes. It is directed by Simon McBurney who heads the Complicite' company. It is on at the Barbican in London until 19th January, and I would urge you to see it if possible. Quite magnificent.

[Flosshilde]

I'm not by any means a 3D enthusiast - too often, it seems to sap real-life action of reality, paradoxically - but it adds hugely to the impact of this film, especially of course the scenes in the Pacific, but also the early scenes in India.

Have you read the book, Caliban? I thought of going to see the film but I would be rather worried that the qualities of the book would be destroyed by the film making visual - & therefore 'real' (especially with 3D) - what was elusive and questioning in the book. I don't recall there being any early scenes set in India in the book - I could very well be wrong, of course, but is this an example of a director deciding that the book needs expanding?

As for going to the cinema generally - I'd avoid going to the multiplex like the plague, & only go to the Glasgow Film Theatre. They have a very good mixed programme including latest releases. The only problem is that films I want to see are usually only on for a few days, & by the time I discover they're on they're not!

[Nick Armstrong]

Have you read the book, Caliban? I thought of going to see the film but I would be rather worried that the qualities of the book would be destroyed by the film making visual - & therefore 'real' (especially with 3D) - what was elusive and questioning in the book. I don't recall there being any early scenes set in India in the book - I could very well be wrong, of course, but is this an example of a director deciding that the book needs expanding?

I confess I didn't read the book. I tend to recoil from "books that everyone's reading" and never got round to this one. I'm judging the film on its own merits, therefore, and without reference to the book - I find I tend to do that anyway, even when I've read the book. Each medium has to play to its strengths to succeed, I think, and the film certainly does that imv. Plus I was in a state of complete ignorance as the film unfolded as to what was going to happen, which no doubt added to the excitement...

SPOLIER ALERT: anyone who hasn't read the book and hasn't yet seen the film shouldn't click on this link - Flossie, this is an interesting article about Yann Martel's comments on the ways the film differs from the book, inc. re the India section: http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/new...estival-375299

[Anna]

I rarely go to the cinema but see that The Life of Pi will be at my local one in January. Never having seen a 3D film this is a possibly naive question. Are small provincial cinemas equipped to show films in 3D or only multiplex-type ones? Told you it was a silly question .....

[Nick Armstrong]

I rarely go to the cinema but see that The Life of Pi will be at my local one in January. Never having seen a 3D film this is a possibly naive question. Are small provincial cinemas equipped to show films in 3D or only multiplex-type ones? Told you it was a silly question .....

I have no idea, Anna - both 2D and 3D versions are shown at the bigger cinemas round here, I suppose because some people don't like 3D. Where have you seen that it's coming on to your local? In the paper? That should specify if it's 3D - or give 'em a ring. Remember you have to put on the dark glasses for the 3D show!

If not, don't worry - do go and see the 2D version, it'll still be great

[Paul Sherratt]

January attractions in Stoke on Trent

http://www.stokefilmtheatre.org.uk/jan.htm

[umslopogaas]

Thanks Belgrove, I cant get to the Barbican, but I'll ring them and ask if it is going on release a bit nearer to where I live.

[Globaltruth]

It occurred to me because I would most enthusiastically recommend 'LIFE OF PI', Ang Lee's film based on the award-winning (Booker 2002) Yann Martel novel.

Enthralling, dazzling, gripping, sometimes funny - and not too much of the 'religiosity-lite' I'd slightly feared beforehand.

I'm not by any means a 3D enthusiast - too often, it seems to sap real-life action of reality, paradoxically - but it adds hugely to the impact of this film, especially of course the scenes in the Pacific, but also the early scenes in India.

The visual splendour of the film would in my view reward anyone sufficiently to warrant a trip to the cinema. It won't have the same impact on a small screen. I wouldn't be surprised if I go and see it again, just to experience the 'ride' again...

Caliban is quite right - we saw this last night & it is without doubt the best film we have seen for a long time.

[gingerjon]

I only go to the cinema now to crowd control two small children. And they only get to go when it's a film I'm prepared to sit through.

The most recent one was "Rise of the Guardians" which, whilst not being quite as good as it could be, is not a bad film at all. Neat story and some smart work reinventing stock characters (Father Christmas becomes the bizarre 'North' for example) - and it doesn't outstay its welcome.

[johncorrigan]

I only go to the cinema now to crowd control two small children. And they only get to go when it's a film I'm prepared to sit through.

It's a tough one gj - I've seen some films that I've loved that I'd never have seen if I hadn't had to take the kids - 'How to train your Dragon' being one - took my kids and nieces to one of those morning matinees when it was bucketing - we all saw it for about a fiver in total and it was great. Of course, there's a down side - Pirates of the Caribbean 3, the only film during which I fell asleep twice - and full price too.
I took a crew to 'The Hobbit' the other day - age range 12 to 60 - and though it's criticised for being too long, the time shot by - I thought it was funny, looked good, excellent characters and the scene under the mountains with Gollem was fab - my one disappointment was the Trolls which is one of the funniest bits in the book but was handled pretty poorly in the film - saw it in 2D, I do like 'Lord of the Rings', but some accompanying me had no knowledge of it and still really enjoyed it.