Hello folks, welcome to the second 2013 edition of Five for the Fifth!!
As is customary for this monthly feature, I get to post five random news item/observation/poster, etc. and then turn it over to you to share your take on that given topic. You can see the previous five-for-the-fifth posts here.
1. Well, since it’s February and Valentine’s day is just over a week away, I thought I’d make the first topic to be romantic film. Of course a Nicholas Sparks movie adaptation is not far behind as Safe Haven, starring Josh Duhamel and Julianne Hough will be released just in time next Thursday. I have zero interest in seeing that one, I think The Notebook was the only one from Sparks I was remotely interested in and I wasn’t as enamored by it as most people. I was kinda feeling sorry for James Marsden!
I made this list of the kind of romantic films I love. I don’t really remember when the last time I was really swept away by a romantic film, the way Return To Me or Somewhere in Time did that left such a lasting impression on me.
So now I turn it over to you folks, what’s your favorite romantic film of all time?
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2. Continuing on the romance thread, I made this top ten favorite movie couples list, which includes the likes of Russell Crowe & Kim Basinger in L.A. Confidential, Christian Bale & Emily Watson in Equillibrium, and Heath Ledger & Julia Stiles in Ten Things I Hate About You, among others. I proceeded to make a wish list of who I’d like to see on-screen together.
I’m not as keen on some of the pairings as I once was, but I think out of those ten, I’d still love to see Christian Bale & Emily Blunt, Edward Norton & Maggie Gyllenhaal and Timothy Dalton & Emma Thomson (or Helen Mirren) play a romantic couple 😀
I thought the pairing of Tom Hiddleston and Tilda Swinton is very intriguing. Have you seen this photo yet from the upcoming vampire drama Only Lovers Left Alive?
Only Lovers Left Alive is written and directed by Jim Jarmusch (Dead Man, Ghost Dog: Way of the Samurai, Broken Flowers, and The Limits of Control previously) and stars Hiddleston as Adam, an underground musician who’s deeply depressed by the direction of human activities. He reunites with his centuries-long lover, Eve (Swinton), but their romance is quickly interrupted by Eve’s crazy, tumultuous younger sister Ava.
Updated 11/2013 – Here’s the trailer:
I think we can expect an unconventional vampire romance flick here from Jarmusch. Hiddleston is one of my fave Brits right now and he looks good channeling Sirius Black here as a rock star. Swinton is just so freakishly talented, I’m very curious to see them together. I’ve only seen Broken Flowers out of his filmography, but this one certainly piqued my interest.
Thoughts on this film? Perhaps you could also share your romantic pairing wish list?
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3. 
Switching gears to a prominent filmmaker who’s been saying for years that he’d retire… Steven Soderbergh. Now, I don’t really know what to make of this Atlanta native. Out of about a dozen of his feature films, I’ve only seen nine (it could’ve been a full 10 movies, but my hubby and I turned off The Good German after about 10 minutes as we were too sleepy a few years ago and we haven’t had the desire to pick it up again). Three of the nine I saw in the last 12 months with mixed reaction, Haywire was good, Contagion ok, and Magic Mike, meh. I’m still finishing up my review of Side Effects which is out this weekend.
His work never scream ‘must see’ to me, though I appreciate his boldness in experimenting with different genres and subject matter, I don’t know that I actually ‘get’ his style. As for his retirement, his comment in Vulture.com caught my eye:
The worst development in filmmaking—particularly in the last five years—is how badly directors are treated. It’s become absolutely horrible the way the people with the money decide they can fart in the kitchen, to put it bluntly. It’s not just studios—it’s anyone who is financing a film. I guess I don’t understand the assumption that the director is presumptively wrong about what the audience wants or needs when they are the first audience, in a way. And probably got into making movies because of being in that audience.
What do you think of Soderbergh’s comment and/or his pending retirement? Are you a fan of his work?
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4. Back in January, my hubby showed me this short sci-fi film on Vimeo called NOON, directed by Kasra Farahani. Below is the gist from per THR:
Noon is set in two centuries in the future where, due to a shift in the Earth’s axis, the Arctic is one of the only inhabitable lands left, although it is in a perpetual state of day. The scene focuses on a man who facilitates the transfer of illegal immigrants in Noon, the city-state up there.
Additional info from the official website: The short sets up the world’s unique premise and introduces our protagonist, Gray, a coyote numbed to the cruelty of the world and his part in it. We watch Gray struggle to salvage what humanity still exists within him when profit is pitted against morality.
Watch the 12-minute scene below:
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Well, according to THR, Chernin Entertainment, the production company behind Rise of the Planet of the Apes and the upcoming Tom Cruise sci-fi thriller Oblivion, has purchased the rights of the film. Apparently Farahani is a concept artist who has worked on movies such as Spider-Man 3, Hancock and The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, and as an art director on Thor, Men In Black 3 and the upcoming Star Trek Into Darkness.
This looks quite promising, the concept, ambiance and acting are very good, makes me curious to see more. I don’t know if they’d retain some of the actors for the big screen treatment. If that’s unlikely, I’d love to see say, Oscar Isaac in the lead role.
What do you think of this project? Any particular actor you’d like to see getting cast here?
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5. Twitter and blogs were all abuzz when House of Cards premiered last week on February 1st. It’s kind of a big deal as it’s the first of its kind from Netflix, which released all 13 episodes all at once (Netflix has ordered 26 episodes to air over two seasons). It’s a big gamble from Netflix and whether or not it’ll pay off for the company remains to be seen. Certainly for a streaming subscriber like me, it’s a VERY good thing!
Kevin Spacey sounds perfectly sinister for the part of Francis Underwood, an ambitious Democratic congressman and House Majority Whip with his eye on the top prize in D.C. He has his hands on every secret in politics – and is willing to betray them all to become President. David Fincher has directed a couple of episodes in his TV directorial debut. I’m hoping to catch up on this series next weekend, but the reviews have been positive. The rest of the cast looks pretty good too: Robin Wright, Corey Stoll, and Kate Mara (who apparently got the job thanks to her sister Rooney who worked with Fincher). Kid in the Front Row had an in-depth review and analysis of the show that made me even more intrigued!
Check out the trailer below if you haven’t already:
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So my last question to you is, have you seen this show yet? If not, would you be watching?
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That’s it for the February 2013 edition of Five for the Fifth, folks. Now, please pick a question out of the five above or better yet, do ‘em all! 😀
FLIXCHATTER FILM BLOG 
Here goes:
1. Charade – with my favorites Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn, it’s an easy pick.
2. I’ll have to think about this and get back to you.
3. Says a lot about the industry right now. Sad to see a talented filmmaker go this route, though.
4. Not sure.
5. I will give this a go. The original British series was deliciously done.
Thanks, Ruth.
Oooh, that’s a good one Michael. One of my faves has Audrey as well, but with Gregory of course 😉
I’d love to hear who you’d love to see pair up as a movie couple!
I think we’ll still see Soderbergh in some form of entertainment though, perhaps his own TV show?
Yeah, I’m curious to see the British version of House of Cards too, I wonder if that’s also on Netflix?
Thanks Michael!
Good topics Ruth!
1. I’m struggling with this one as I try to put together a special Valentines week post. Thinkers block! (Sometimes I can be such a “guy”).
2. Emily Blunt can just stand in front of the camera and it’s romantic! But to get back on track, Hiddleston’s the man! I’m in!
3. I really like a lot of Soderbergh’s work. Contagion made my top 10 list and I adore The Informant. Hate the thought of any good filmmaker retiring.
2. Interesting!
1. Probably will skip this one even though its a neat endeavor for Netflix. Just not a TV or episodic kind of guy anymore.
Come on Keith, I’m sure there’s a romantic bone in your body. Ahah, your answer of Emily Blunt makes me laugh! Oh I’d love to see her pair up w/ Hiddleston!
I think Emily’s kind of messing up your brain a bit eh, you’re going back to #1 and 2 again, ahahaha. So you don’t watch TV much then? I think it’s cool that you don’t have to wait to see the entire House of Cards episodes, so you can do a marathon if you desire. I might check that out this weekend.
I do love a good romantic picture. Oddly enough they all have left me right now! Grrr…
But then there’s Emily Blunt….
You should see her in Jane Austen Book Club. Even though it may not be your cup of tea, it’s worth seeing just for Emily.
Bah. Not big on romances. Rocky and Adrian in Rocky I. There. No joke.
Soderbergh’s probably right. Or at the least, he’d know better about it than we would. I hope he doesn’t retire though… he’s made four movies in the last couple of years and I’ve enjoyed tham all to varying degrees… with “Side Effects” opening this weekend, of course, but early reviews are positive.
Ahah, too funny Fogs! Hey Rocky n Adrian is a good pick, so there you still have some romantic sensibilities in you 😉
Did you see Magic Mike Fogs? Well, I’ll have my review of Side Effects sometime this week, I have a feeling I’ll disagree w/ the critics on that one.
I did. I liked Magic Mike quite a bit, but mainly for the first half, when it was more of a comedy. When he got dramatic towards the end, it was…. not as appealing. LOL
Ahah yeah, the stripping part is indeed comical. But at the same time it made me want to take a shower afterwards, gross!!
1. Romantic genre films aren’t something I watch often but if I have to choose, I’d go with Sleepless in Seattle or Meet Joe Black, in fact I think I have those two films on BD.
2. Yeah anything by Jarmusch is sure to be unconventional, not a big fan of his work but this new one looks interesting.
3. I think Sodenberg is having what I call a Peckinpah syndrome, he’s piss at Hollywood folks, as well he should. Also I don’t think he’s fully recover from being fired from Money Ball, I remember reading how much he wanted to make that film and he was hurt when Sony fired from the project. But I think he’ll take a few years off and come back and make movies again.
4. That short looks interesting, I’ll watch the full clip later tonight.
5. Anything David Fincher does, I’ll watch. But since I don’t do streaming, I’ll just wait till the show comes out on BD.
Hi Ted! Yes on Sleepless in Seattle but I nearly turned off Meet Joe Black, sooo boring. Pitt just isn’t appealing to me at all.
To me the cast in this Jarmusch film is what caught my eye, and any vampire movie that erase my memory of Twilight is a good thing!
Ah so that’s what he’s on about then, he’s still bitter about the Moneyball thing. Can’t say I blame him, though I think you’re right he’ll probably come around again.
Well Fincher only does 2 episodes Ted, one of the directors of the 13 episodes also includes Joel Schumacher, ahah.
1. Romantic movies: You know I have to echo your Sense & Sensibility love. Also, I’m going to go with Amelie, which is another big-time favorite.
2. I’m not necessarily a fan of Jarmusch, but a vampire romance involving SWINTON and Hiddleston is going to be fabulously, deliciously bizarre, and I can’t wait.
3. No major opinion on Soderbergh’s movies either, but I have to say that his comment plus impending retirement talk sounds a bit like sour grapes. If you’re an artist and you’ve still got things to say (and let’s face it, if you’re as wealthy and well-received as Soderbergh) nobody can really stop you from continuing to make movies. I agree that maybe he’ll take some time off and come back.
5. No thanks. I do have some television that I watch but mostly I’m not interested in the episodic format (as opposed to films). Also, I kind of can’t stand Kevin Spacey.
YES on S&S, it’s one of my fave movies of ALL TIME, not just in the romantic genre. Amelie is very sweet also, but I haven’t had the desire to see it again for some reason.
“.. fabulously, deliciously bizarre” YES that’s exactly it, Sam, spot on!
Yeah, sour grapes sounds right, I mean I bet there are thousands other directors who are as talented who didn’t get the same opportunities as he did. It’s funny that he kept on saying he’d retire but if somehow he gets a deal he likes from a studio he’ll likely come back.
Ahah, can’t stand Spacey? I suppose he’s not an affable actor, but his quirk and sinister style is actually interesting to watch. A former boss of mine who’s gay and very flamboyant actually met him at a play and he said Spacey is even more gay than him! Wow, he must be a very good actor!
1.Uhhh not sure.
2.Well, when i am able to get my Nature of Evil pitch made if i can get the cast i want a Deborah/Tobey pairing will be coming to a theater near you 😉 I am also partial to the idea of Deborah and Decker as a romantic pairing.
Maybe its becuase they are both underrated imo and first impressed me on the small screen, but i like the idea of them as a on screen couple. Also Gabreille Union and perhaps Idris elba could make for a interesting dueo.
And i look forward to Jarmuach’s take on the Vampire genre,as i’m certain he won’t take the cliche appraoch. With that said, i don’t always love his work, so that is a bit of a worry for me
3. Soderberg is a director i wish to delve more into at some point, but i liked Contagion,magic Mike, Sex Lies & Videotape, and the Ocean films so i would say i’ve liked most of what i’ve seen from him. And i’m interested in Side Effects
4.I liked it. And i would be interested in union paying one of the immigrants
5. Just started it,but i like what i’ve seen so far.
*playing one of the immigrants
Not one romantic movie you like? Come on Julian 😉
Hmmm, Tobey + Deborah, well she’ll be towering over him then, ahah. I haven’t seen Decker in anything else since Sarah Connor, but yeah he’s pretty good. But man, Gabrielle Union + Idris Elba sounds great!
I’m very curious about that Jarmusch film because of the cast, but I expect it to be off the wall stuff. I like Contagion too, Magic Mike not so much and The Informant was just ok, not as good as the trailer promised it to be.
Oh yeah, I think Union would be a good choice to play one of the immigrants. She might have to be made up to look more plain though, she is gorgeous!
Well, i liked Amelie like most people here.and i did really like SLP. I also liked Definitely,Maybe far more than most hollywood rom-coms these days, although i wouldn’t call it one of the greatest of all time
And i think most men in hollywood are shorter than the ladies if i’m remembering correctly. And im happy to have your support on Elba and Union(Who i agree is gorgeous)
1: I’m not big on romance movies Ruth but I did enjoy Silver Linings Playbook and I’m not sure if they count but Dear Frankie and Amelie spring to mind as a couple of unconventional ones.
2: Really, really like the look of that Jarmusch film. I’m a big fan of his and this looks entirely appealing to me.
Romantic pairing? :- Ryan Gosling and Jessica Chastain.
3: I like quite a few of Soderbergh’s film’s but he’s almost too hit and miss to fully get upset about his retirement. I doubt he’ll be out if the game for long anyway. I’m sure he has more up his sleeve. Sean Penn said the same thing years ago.
4: Hmmm! I like the look of this one.
5: This series looks the business as well. Don’t know when I’ll get to it but I will eventually.
Thanks Ruth. 🙂
Yes, Silver Linings, Dear Frankie and Amelie are a great trio of unconventionally-romantic movies. I wish GB would do smaller films like DF again, one of his best roles to date as he’s so restrained.
Ah, Gosling and Chastain, both are well-loved by critics, I think that’d likely happen at some point Mark.
I feel the exact same way about Soderbergh Mark, I’m personally indifferent about his retirement.
1. Amelie hands down. Paris, Yann Tiersen’s music and the ridiculously charming Audrey Tautou. Puts a smile on my face every time. I’d also have to put Before Sunrise/After Sunset, Cinema Paradiso, the haunting Waking The Dead, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind and recently Safety Not Guaranteed and Silver Linings Playbook in there too. All offbeat to be sure but that’s how I roll.
2. Well it’s Jarmusch so I’m at least interested. As far as couples go… hmmm I’d have to think about that.
3. I remember seeing Sex, Lies & Videotape in the theater in ’89. I remember how quiet the theater got when James Spader was filming Andie McDowell and Laura San Giacomo.. I can’t remember a theater that quiet since the bathroom scene in Full Metal Jacket. I love that Soderberg experiments a lot. He said that’s why he made the Ocean’s movies so he still make the smaller films. I think his films technically brilliant but his films are a little too emotionally cold lately. Then again so were Kubrick’s films. You’d have to go back to Paths of Glory to find emotion in one of his films. Let’s not forget Steven’s producers hat that he wears (We Need to Talk About Kevin, Michael Clayton, A Scanner Darkly, Syriana, Good Night, and Good Luck). Yeah he will be missed. My favorite film of his will always be Sex, Lies & Videotape but don’t tell Spike Lee that. LOL.
4. Get back to you after I watch it.
5. Well having seen 3 episodes I’m impressed. Spacey chews up the scenery in a way that compels you to watch it. It feels like an HBO show and that’s a high compliment. You won’t find the optimism of The West Wing here. It’s deeply cynical and jaded. Hey it’s something for us adults. Yea! Expect to hear about this around Emmy time. Fincher, Spacey, Willimon (the writer). Kate Mara stands out too, Fincher sure does like those Mara sisters. Robin Wright has a thankless shrew role here that’ll make you forget Princess Buttercup real quick. Curious to see what they do with her character cause man, I just hate her character so much..
Being able to watch the show w/o commercials all in a row… pretty sweet! Netflix is onto something. Can’t wait to see Arrested Development this way in the spring.
The only thing I’m not sure about is Spacey breaking the fourth wall from time to time. It was great for Annie Hall but I’m not so sure here. Have to see more.
Amelie gets a lot of mentions, and rightly so. I do love Cinema Paradiso too, that music swept me off my feet [sigh] I like Safety Not Guaranteed too, and I just replied to your email about SLP 😀
So you’re a big fan of Jarmusch then? I’ve only seen one thing from him so not exactly a fan yet.
As for Soderbergh… what you said here “his films are a little too emotionally cold lately” is exactly why I don’t think I care much about his films. I think he’s good at setting up tension and even sexual tension, but emotionally it’s vapid. Oh I didn’t know he produced We Need to Talk About Kevin, that’s one I still want to see.
Hey save your ‘review’ until later 😀 I hope you’ll do an extensive write up on House of Cards for me 🙂
Jarmusch is an interesting guy. He came from the NY underground indie film scene in the late 70’s. His early films have a decidedly European feel to them. In fact so much so he used Robbie Muller, Wim Wenders (Paris, Texas) former cinematographer, almost exclusively. I’d recommend Broken Flowers (Bill Murray) or Ghost Dog: The Way of the Samurai (Forrest Whitaker) for beginners. Then maybe Dead Man (Johnny Depp). His films just feel different from the norm. They have a decidedly deadpan feel to them. He’s an acquired taste indeed.
The final scene in Cinema Paradiso where the director is watching the film reel left to him by his mentor, the projectionist, chokes me up every time. Morricone’s music playing over top just does me in. The kiss in the rain at the outdoor theater, to me, is one of the greatest kisses ever put on film. Agnese Nano as Elena was just such a stunning young beauty. Just love that film.
Yeah SLP. It was Lincoln I was thinking of that you hadn’t seen. Right?
I’ll give Jarmusch’s other films a try. I have seen Broken Flowers, it was pretty good. I might see Dead Man if it isn’t overly dark or depressing. I can handle quirky to a degree, ahah.
Cinema Paradiso is indeed a gem. Sooo many great scenes about friendship, romance, regret, etc. I need to rewatch it soon as I bought the Blu-ray for only $10 bucks!
Yeah I haven’t seen Lincoln, but I’ll rent it for sure.
1. Bending the rules. Favorite classic romantic film: Casablanca. Favorite modern one: Before Sunset.
2. Can’t wait for this film. I’d love to see Russell Crowe and Juliette Binoche do a romantic film together (because they’re my fav actors), but I’ve no idea how it’d work. Maybe a period romance…
3. I’m a fan of Soderbergh’s work, and I think he has a point about directors being part of the audience. Theoretically, a director should know what an audience for his film likes, even more than a studio head.
4. Great call on Oscar Isaac for that role. They should make that happen.
5. Haven’t started it yet, but I’ll probably do so later this week.
Why of course it’s Casablanca, I’d be so disappointed if you didn’t answer that.
Oh wow, Crowe and Binoche, that’ll be so cool! I think a modern romance might work too, preferably a star-crossed romance 😉
So I take it you’ll see Side Effects? I’m kinda lazy to review that movie for some reason.
Haha. Yeah, I’ll see Side Effects. 🙂
1. I think my favorite romantic movie is Love Actually, because it’s kinda bittersweet and it has all those lovely moments like Andrew Lincoln telling Keira he loves her with those cards he is holding for her to read.
2. That film sounds awesome, I’ll definitely see it, I love Tilda! I’d love to see Fassy and Theron do a romantic film, they had crazy chemistry in Prometheus.
3. I can’t really comment on what he said since I don’t know how things look in Hollywood 🙂 He is a good director, I really loved Traffic and his Ocean’s movies. The Good German isn’t the best, but Clooney in that uniform kept me watching 😛
4. Oscar Isaac is a cool choice, I really liked him in Drive and W.E.
5. I’m on episode 10 and the show kinda lost me after two episodes. The plot isn’t anything new or interesting and it’s ridden with cliches. Spacey is really good but if he wins over Bryan Cranston during next TV award season I’ll be seriously pissed off.
Oh, Love Actually is a good one, and that Andrew Lincoln scene is one of my faves! I also love the segment of Alan Rickman and Emma Thompson.
I totally share w/ your wish list of Theron and Fassy… oh muy caliente!
As for Spacey, it seems that a lot of movie actors often get nominated for Emmy awards, well may the most well-deserved win [of course that’s wishful thinking] 😀
You know Sati, I almost mentioned that scene from Love Actually. Great call. Kiera was never more charming. I think I’m going to go watch it on you tube.
I agree with you on Bryan Cranston. I mean Walter White’s character has gone into to territory that anti-heroes like Vic Mackey, Tony Soprano and Dexter never approached. I mean he’s becoming pure evil and still you kind of root for him. Kind of. You know things are bad when Jesse the drug dealer/junkie becomes the conscience of the show. Vince Gilligan is just running this thing off the rails at full speed. After the scene with the kid on the bike I don’t really feel “safe” watching the show anymore.
1. I’m not that into romance, but The English Patient and Before Sunrise spring to mind as some of my favorites of the genre.
2. Swinton and Hiddleston? Offbeat pairing but I am in. Love them both. Romantic pairing wish list? More Kate and Leo, please. I will not rest until those two declare their love for each other and marry. They are so great together.
3. I sort of agree with him and I definitely wouldn’t want to see him retire. He’s still young and while he’s not among my absolute favorite directors, I’m still a fan.
4. Yes, agree with Oscar Isaac. More roles for him, please.
5. Haven’t seen the show yet but I think I will be doing that soon. Sounds definitely interesting and there’s some great talent involved!
Oh The English Patient is incredibly romantic, steamy as well, esp between Fiennes and Scott Thomas.
Ahah, Kate & Leo perhaps are destined for each other as they keep going in and out of romances. Who knows that might happen one day.
You’re right that Soderbergh is still young, so there are plenty of opportunities for him still.
I’d love to see Oscar Isaac in this role, not sure if he’s done a sci-fi before.
The only questions I can really answer are #1 & 2. And they both have the same theme. For me, the ultimate romantic film is True Romance. Cristian Slater & Patricia Arquette are perfect as the leads. Anyone that says this isnt a love story only has to listen to Tarantino himself who describes this as the perfect romance story 🙂
Oh I think True Romance is a love story, I mean they’re not the schmaltzy kind but there are so many types of romances out there. Good call Tyson!
hmmm… tough questions!! You know I don’t like romance. Can I say my favorite romantic movie is Breakfast on Pluto? tho it’s not actually love story hehe.
Only Lovers Left Alive? looks intriguing! The pairing I really want to see is Cillian with Cate Blanchet … it would be a dream pair for me 😉
Talking about pairing Cillian with actress…make sure you stop by at my blog on February 14 😉
Ahah, you need to be more romantic Nov. Come on, we all need love in our lives 🙂
Hmmm, I like both Cillian and Cate, but I don’t really see those two together. Depends on the premise I guess.
Romantic comedy is fun 🙂
Okay my fav romance movie is While You are sleeping 😉
Both are incredible actor/actress .. I think they can manage to look perfect with one another 😉
Ah yes, While You Are Sleeping is lovely! Good call Nov. I love Sandra, but I can’t picture Bill Pullman in anything that romantic since then, ahah.
1. Favorite romantic movie? I’m not sure … Love Actually, I guess. Like Margaret, I really like the bittersweet quality, and I love all the quirky, offbeat moments. I can’t get into anything by Nicholas Sparks.
2. A vampire drama with Tilda Swinton and Tom Hiddleston? I’m in! 🙂
3. I haven’t seen much by Soderbergh yet, but I loved Traffic.
4. Interesting!
5. Interesting to see Netflix putting out a T.V. series this way. That’s the only way I ever watch a T.V. series anyway, on DVD or streaming and quickly, one episode right after the other.
Hi Steph! Yeah, Love Actually has a lot of great romance segments, some are quite heartbreaking as well. Sparks’ stuff are too melancholy for my taste.
That is brilliant casting isn’t it? And I always like a good vampire romance that is done PROPERLY (read: NOT Twilight)
Traffic is perhaps the only work from him I truly respect.
Yep, I think Netflix is wise (for once!) to actually cater to how their subscriber watch shows. So I take it you’ll be watching House of Cards?
1. You stumped me for a minute but how could I forget! Before Sunset of course 😀
2. Sounds like an odd movie off the beaten path. Tilda is always great though
3. Well I can definitely see his point. Studios are often way too meddlesome with the creative process and that’s what he is trying to say. Outside of a very small and select circle of directors, no filmmaker in Hollywood can actually do exactly what he has in mind without some producer, movie star and/or studio exec blocking you or trying to influence how you shoot your movie.
4. Gerard Butler of course. J/K! 😀
5. You know I have no time for TV shows 😀
Hi Castor, always nice to see you pop by. Your love for Beyond Sunset knows no bounds 🙂
I always thought that given his popularity, you’d think Soderbergh would’ve been able to call his own shots.
Ahah, I don’t mind GB in it actually, he needs to be in GOOD movies!!
Very interesting post Ruth.
1. My favorite romantic movie is definitely Amelie, though I’d also include Life is Beautiful if it weren’t for the fact it’s a lot more about the love of a father for his son.
2. Only Lovers Left Alive looks strangely interesting, which certainly starts from the cast that was chosen to play the lead roles. Is there a trailer out?
3. I feel the same way about Soderbergh. His work is reliably solid but nothing he has done reaches greatness. His delivery tends to be very somber and to-the-point, not leaving much room for emotion. His statement was pretty interesting though and I can see why he’s saying it and why it is probably true.
4. I’m still waiting for the scene to load as I write this (slow internet connection at home), but the concept looks pretty original, and that’s the most important thing to have in your favor when making a sci-fi film.
5. I won’t be watching the series anytime soon because I just unsubscribed Netflix recently due to the nature of my current finances. In fact, my only reliable source for films aside from the theater is Amazon, Youtube and through other less than legal means hehe
Thanks Niels! Amelie definitely, and yeah Life is Beautiful certainly has romance in it though it’s kind of sad more than romantic.
I haven’t seen a trailer yet but I’ll be sure to add it here when it arrives!
I agree on your thoughts on Soderbergh Niels, I mean he’s talented but somehow his work just isn’t all that appealing to me.
Yeah, I like the premise of NOON, hopefully the film version lives up to it.
I’m sorry to hear about your finances, Niels. Entertainment is expensive. I don’t have cable as I just can’t justify paying so much, so I only have Netflix streaming subscription for $10/month. Amazon and Youtube have pretty good selections actually.
House of Cards sounded like a great promotional tool for Netflix. When does it arrive on TV?
I don’t know when or if it’ll arrive on TV. Probably it’ll just stay on Netflix but who knows.
1. I think The Notebook is pretty effective as a love story, but I get bored of it being put up on a pedestal. Even though it’s recent, Silver Linings Playbook really impressed me. Also, Amelie and Django Unchained is a love story deep down 😉
2. That looks pretty interesting. I saw Broken Flowers and didn’t like it but I’m happy to give this one a whirl. As for a couple, maybe Tom Hardy & Christina Hendricks in a Natural Born Killers-esque couple.
3. I think he has a point and I think a lot in the industry probably feel the same way.
4. Looks pretty decent.
5. I’m three episodes in to House of Cards and I’m really impressed by it so far. I thought it would just be a Netflix PR stunt kinda thing but it’s actually really well made. I mean, Kevin Spacey and David Fincher are involved so it’s not like it doesn’t have some talent attached to it.
Hi Chris! Yeah, people seem to regard The Notebook as if it’s a classic. It’s a good film to be sure but not spectacular. I do like the older couples played by James Gardner and Gena Rowlands, such a moving story.
Wow, Tom Hardy and Christina Hendricks sounds interesting. Ahah, so something violent and crazy romance then?
Yeah, Netflix really invested on that show. I’m hoping to catch House of Cards this weekend.
1) Before Sunrise/Sunset, easily. Cannot wait for Before Midnight!
2) I normally despise all things vampire-related, buuuuuuut this is Jim Jarmusch so I’ll probably check it out. At the very least it should be interesting.
3) That Vulture interview is a really good read. Soderbergh is hit-and-miss for me, but his presence will be missed if he does stay retired.
4) Sounds interesting. I’ll have to keep an eye on its progress.
5) I am four episodes into this show and I am absolutely loving it so far! I really wasn’t expecting much from it, but I guess I should know better than to doubt David Fincher. Really strong cast led by the always excellent Spacey, as well.
When’s Before Midnight’s release date? That’ll be a lovely trilogy, there aren’t too many romantic trilogies out there!
You despise things vampire related?? I kind of like ’em, before Twilight there are a bunch of good ones, like Interview With the Vampire, and most recently Daybreakers.
Glad to hear you’re enjoying House of Cards! I can’t wait to start on it this weekend.
1. Titanic! 2. Only Lovers Left Alive looks interesting, I’d like to see Emma Stone and Rafe Spall. Weird huh? 3. I'[ve never been a big fan at all. Not too fussed if he retires. 4. Great premise! No idea who should star. I say keep the original cast! Stars get enough work! 5. I’ve heard mediocre reviews so not sure I’ll be getting on board with this one despite Fincher’s involvement.
Oh not weird at all about Emma and Rafe, he’s actually very handsome. Not a fan of Soderbergh at all? I think some of his films are good, but not too fussed if he retires either Pete. Actually House of Cards is quite good now that I’ve seen a couple of eps, we’ll see if it’ll keep my interest after that though.