What are you watching?

[Server Room Gremlin]

Amazing Grace (2006)

That one I have seen (I have it on DVD I think), and as far as I can remember it was very good. I was a little Curvo at the time though, so I can't remember many specifics of the movie. :3

 

[Server Room Gremlin]

(I have it on DVD I think)

Ah yes, here we are:

(the back of the DVD box)

I will probably re-watch it when I have the opportunity, to refresh my memory.

 

[Erurávennë]

Just watched Young Washington in the theatre today. So good!!!! No qualms here. Please treat yourself to this film. Absolutely 10 of 10. Also, @Idril Celebrindal, this film was so relevant to the failed heroes/morally (really Christ-grounded.morals are simply the fruit. Washington is a grand example) grounded heroes conversation; Beautiful! You should watch it.

 

[Idril Celebrindal]

Yes! I love what you said. And you got me thinking more. I think this is how what you said is connected:
(For the sake of clarity, I will refer to the ‘character type we need more of’ I was discussing as the ‘role model’ character type.)
The failed hero you mentioned is actually the role model character; in other words, he/she is actually just a shade of the role model’s character. Though failed, you instinctively indicated he is still a hero. He may ‘fail’ or ‘win’ but in the broader scope is still a hero because success or failure does not make him a hero. Moral grounding, an eternal perspective, makes him the hero he is. Ambiguous worldly success or failure is only a result, part of the journey, a reflection of the role model’s inner state. It does not define a hero.
Now in the real world, morals come from the God of the Bible so a morally grounded character is a Godly character. We resonate with the role model because we crave God’s morals (being made in His image).
In fantasy, and storytelling in general as Tolkien put it we are subcreators. When we create a ‘role model’ character that character gains his/her heroism with moral soundness, and we can admire the character. But in applying the character role model to real life we must transition from the subcreated to the created. For our application to be effective, we must recognize the morals have a Source.
What do you think @Idril Celebrindal? I love this - so much to discuss!

I agree! What I really like about "failed heroes/role model characters" is that while they strive to be moral, they often aren't. For example, in Dune, it's mentioned that Paul uses human skin for his war drums. Or in The Odyssey, it's described how Odysseus mutilates somebody before killing them. I guess it's what makes the characters really interesting, to see them struggle with being both worldly and moral failure, especially when they're placed in extremely difficult situations. And as you mentioned, it's what makes them good role models when they eventually overcome their struggles. The more significant the struggle, the closer the character is to utter failure, the greater the victory is.

Just watched Young Washington in the theatre today. So good!!!! No qualms here. Please treat yourself to this film. Absolutely 10 of 10. Also, @Idril Celebrindal, this film was so relevant to the failed heroes/morally (really Christ-grounded.morals are simply the fruit. Washington is a grand example) grounded heroes conversation; Beautiful! You should watch it.

Thanks for the recommendation! I'll try and check it out.

Currently watching the new DUNE 3 trailer. Again... and again... and again...

 

[Fingon_Findekáno]

Just watched Young Washington in the theatre today. So good!!!! No qualms here. Please treat yourself to this film. Absolutely 10 of 10.

I went to see Young Washington yesterday! Absolutely a strong film with the virtues held and demonstrated as we watch young George grow into the man and leader he would one day become through triumph and devastating failure. To have courage in the face of hardships, to exercise civility at all times (especially when others look down on you), to see failure as a teacher and choose to learn from it and keep going, and more.

To have two such deeply impactful films as this and A Great Awakening in one year really is a treat! Both have stirred my heart in their own ways, and I would eagerly watch either of them again.

 

[Server Room Gremlin]

Ah yes, here we are:
View attachment 48724
(the back of the DVD box)

I will probably re-watch it when I have the opportunity, to refresh my memory.

I have now re-watched Amazing Grace and can definitely recommend it. I found it impactful. ❤️ It's a solemn type of film (being a dramatised retelling of someone's life), though it has its moments of light-heartedness. Sometimes well-known figures of the past feel like just that: figures. But I think this film does quite well in portraying them as real people.

I also appreciated the attention to detail in the visual design of the film: the clothing and set design looks 'lived-in' and historical. And the clothing design changes somewhat to show time passing (and as such, fashions changing).

 

[Vorondil]

I recently watched Project Hail Mary. I was worried it was going to be like Interstellar, which, while I did enjoy it, I didn't really want to watch something similar. But it turned out to be a really fun film! I highly recommend it.

 

[Idril Celebrindal]

I watched The Odyssey movie a few days ago. I thought it was ok. Not a masterpiece, but not rubbish either.

I didn't really like any of the characters. Odysseus was portrayed as very weak, Penelope was whiny, Athena was essentially Odysseus' imaginary therapist, Circe and Calypso were too old for people who are supposed to be immortal. The only characters I thought were portrayed well were Telemachus, Eumaeus and Antinous.

The Cyclops scene was really well done, although I'm sad they left out the "Nobody" part. Battle scenes were shot well but were unrealistic and underwhelming. The dialogue was quite bad in my opinion, there were a lot of scenes where characters were saying stuff that was supposed to be important or moving but just didn't sound right because of the script. Music was very good, and really seemed like a part of the story, it sort of echoed whatever was happening in the movie. For example, Odysseus twangs his bow whenever he goes hunting to warn his prey, and it makes this deep reverberating sound (like a sort of harp), which is then echoed by the music, and it sounds really cool (especially in Imax).

In general the movie just didn't feel very historical. A lot of the armor looked unrealistic, the buildings also didn't look quite right, and characters used modern words like "mom" or "daddy", or modern expletives, that just felt very out of place and were really distracting. Also everyone has an American accent. Nothing against Americans, but people in historical movies should have BRITISH accents, that is non-negotiable.

Overall I enjoyed watching the movie, it was a lot of fun because I was with a good friend, but I probably won't watch it again. I'd give it a 6/10. It's an ok movie, but in essence it's not really The Odyssey any more, too many things were changed, and they were not changed in the spirit of the original story. Just as an example, Epic the Musical deviates from the original story, but it still feels like the Odyssey because the core is the same. In the movie, it's not.

I'd recommend watching it if you just want to see a cool movie in the cinema, and you don't really care if it's going to be particularly good or not. I wouldn't recommend watching it if you want to watch a really good historical movie. In that case I'd suggest watching Troy or Gladiator or something like that instead. But of course, these are just my thoughts.

 

[herlig9]

Watched 101 Dalmatians cartoon for first time, the one from 1961. Might be a hot take, but i prefer 102 Dalmatians movie from 2000. Its mostly nostalgia, its not a masterpiece or anything. But a preference i guess

 

[Erestor Arcamen]

Watching David the Gnome on Tubi. I haven't watched since I was a kid so have been bingeing them all...

 

[Ashley]

Epic the Musical deviates from the original story, but it still feels like the Odyssey because the core is the same

I heard that EPIC is going to be made into a movie soon, which should be good. I’ll definitely be watching it if so.

 

[Idril Celebrindal]

I heard that EPIC is going to be made into a movie soon, which should be good. I’ll definitely be watching it if so.

Oh yes, I'm very excited for that!

 

[Rivendell_librarian]

I watched The Odyssey movie a few days ago. I thought it was ok. Not a masterpiece, but not rubbish either.

I didn't really like any of the characters. Odysseus was portrayed as very weak, Penelope was whiny, Athena was essentially Odysseus' imaginary therapist, Circe and Calypso were too old for people who are supposed to be immortal. The only characters I thought were portrayed well were Telemachus, Eumaeus and Antinous.

The Cyclops scene was really well done, although I'm sad they left out the "Nobody" part. Battle scenes were shot well but were unrealistic and underwhelming. The dialogue was quite bad in my opinion, there were a lot of scenes where characters were saying stuff that was supposed to be important or moving but just didn't sound right because of the script. Music was very good, and really seemed like a part of the story, it sort of echoed whatever was happening in the movie. For example, Odysseus twangs his bow whenever he goes hunting to warn his prey, and it makes this deep reverberating sound (like a sort of harp), which is then echoed by the music, and it sounds really cool (especially in Imax).

In general the movie just didn't feel very historical. A lot of the armor looked unrealistic, the buildings also didn't look quite right, and characters used modern words like "mom" or "daddy", or modern expletives, that just felt very out of place and were really distracting. Also everyone has an American accent. Nothing against Americans, but people in historical movies should have BRITISH accents, that is non-negotiable.

Overall I enjoyed watching the movie, it was a lot of fun because I was with a good friend, but I probably won't watch it again. I'd give it a 6/10. It's an ok movie, but in essence it's not really The Odyssey any more, too many things were changed, and they were not changed in the spirit of the original story. Just as an example, Epic the Musical deviates from the original story, but it still feels like the Odyssey because the core is the same. In the movie, it's not.

I'd recommend watching it if you just want to see a cool movie in the cinema, and you don't really care if it's going to be particularly good or not. I wouldn't recommend watching it if you want to watch a really good historical movie. In that case I'd suggest watching Troy or Gladiator or something like that instead. But of course, these are just my thoughts.

I'm very much in two minds about this one - will it be just special effects and music with mediocre acting? At least PJ assembled some fine actors for LOTR and I prefer the Tolkien story to Homer. I assume they omitted the bit about slaughtering the maidservants who had consorted with the suitors in Ithaca.

 

[Idril Celebrindal]

I'm very much in two minds about this one - will it be just special effects and music with mediocre acting? At least PJ assembled some fine actors for LOTR and I prefer the Tolkien story to Homer. I assume they omitted the bit about slaughtering the maidservants who had consorted with the suitors in Ithaca.

Yes, the part about the maidservants was entirely omitted. Odysseus was also far more lenient on the suitors, he spared about 15 of them who surrendered. Far less ruthless than in the book.

It won't be just special effects and music - there were some good story moments that I enjoyed. And the way that the story is told is very good, even if the story itself isn't. But the visuals are the strong side of the movie. If you do go and see it, I would recommend watching it in Imax.

I guess comparing it to other movies I've watched, it's kind of like the first Avatar movie - the visuals are amazing, the script and characters are bad. Although I would say The Odyssey is better than Avatar, it has better cinematography and storytelling. It's like the Hobbit movies in terms of accuracy to the original story, although it's nowhere near as silly. Actually, there isn't really any humor at all. It's similar to Interstellar in terms of cinematography and pacing - makes sense, I guess, same director.

Overall it's the kind of movie you go to watch with your friends when you're bored, I guess. I enjoyed watching it, but a big part of that is because I was watching it with a friend. I would have probably been annoyed if I watched it myself.

 

[Rivendell_librarian]

Well thanks for all that info Idril. I'm still undecided of course.

 

[herlig9]

Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey.

I wonder how better the movie would be if they didnt dub the animals (Inner monologues)
Shadow is kind of like Gandalf of this story

 

[Starbrow]

Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey.

I wonder how better the movie would be if they didnt dub the animals (Inner monologues)
Shadow is kind of like Gandalf of this story

You could watch the original The Incredible Journey from 1963 and then decide.

 

[Deimos]

I read the book when I was about 10

 

[Ent]

Book came out in 1961.
Original Incredible Journey and Homeward Bound were both good watches.

Ent is currently watching his next truly mindless movie: One Big Snake.
Only 21 minutes in, but indeed it qualifies for a high seat at the Ring of Mindless Council Chamber..!

 

[Vardarianna]

I just binge-watched Alley Cats! It kind of gives nods to the alley cats in the Disney movie 'Aristocats'. Fair warning, the language is a bit rough.