You know, I don't know why they used "Master and Commander" in the title, as the major plot was apparently taken from the tenth book in the series, "The Far Side of the World" (though its War of 1812 setting and adversary - the Americans - was changed to the French in 1805).

I only read the first book in the series - M and C (about ten years ago, and I always meant to read more of them, but never got around to it) - and was also disappointed that none of the stuff about young Jack Aubrey and his little sloop was in this film. However, overall I found the film to be much better than I expected in these mostly dumbed-down movie times. It certainly presented its 1800s nautical setting with far more detail and naturalism than has ever been seen before, and for once, I didn't feel that I was just watching a succession of special effects shots...

If the film is successful enough to spawn a franchise (unlikely given the moderate business it's doing, but just maybe...), perhaps the next one will be truer to O'Brian...                   

****

                     I've seen Miller's Crossing about ten times.  It is a great flick.

"What's the rumpus?"  Love that.                   

                     I just saw Elf and it was sooooo silly! I was laughing the whole time!                    

                     Naked Lunch followed with a Fear and Loathing chaser.  I've seen these movies quite a lot over the years and they still are two of the weirdest films I've ever seen. 

For cheery holiday fare, I also watched the Ed Harris film Pollock, about artist Jackson Pollock.  After watching this movie, one learns that Jackson Pollock had lousy table manners...

Marlowe                   

                     

(The first is North by Northwest)

Is it just me, or has this film been mentioned a lot in the Café? I remember that I had just watched it the night before I stumbled across this joint.                   

                     Oh yea, I watched Lost in Translation a while back and it was a great film!!!! Everyone see it 'cause I said so!                   

                     I just saw Murder On The Orient Express.. and it was really delightful. I liked just about everything in it, especially the all star cast (especially Jacqeline Bisset and Lauren Bacall), that whimsical waltz (which is half of the soundtrack) and the.... well, it's a beautiful train, isn't it?                   

                     

Miracle on 34th Street on the big screen at the newly restored Ambler Theater.  Definitely the best way to kick off the holidays!

Any of you that got the Sunday Philadelphia Inquirer (page H11, I think) will see a photo of me at this event!  Unfortunately, it didn't make the online version.  I'm pictured playing the trumpet with the Ambler Symphony for the pre-show festivites.                   

                     Okay, just saw the stupid, Love Don't Cost A Thing.  I really liked the original, Can't Buy Me Love.  But this version was so hacked and whack, that if I hadn't seen the original I wouldn't even have known what was going on.  YUCK!!!                   

                     My boyfriend and I were going to go see it today but we hate crowded theaters. Too much crinkling of plastic, breathing, talking, coughing, etc. LOL! I'll see it this weekend. :wink:                   

                     I also saw Return of the King last night, and I'm still trying to process it... it's a completely overwhelming experience, more like an acid trip than a movie!

It moves at lightning speed (compared to the pacing of the FotR and TTT extended editions), has action sequences that dwarf anything ever done before, throws one incredible image after another at you... and, most importantly, is *all* at a level of emotional involvement that makes it almost painful to watch (but you simply can't look away). My 10-year-old daughter started crying 30 minutes in, and she never stopped. I was mega-choked up myself for a lot of it...

If you're a fan of the books and/or the previous films, understand that this is unlike *any* film experience you have ever had before. Almost unbearably intense...Repeating viewings will be essential to digest it all!

(This doesn't mean the film couldn't be improved - the editing is sometimes choppy, and it's obvious that several major sequences and lots of "connective tissue" ended up on the cutting room floor. Hopefully, the extended edition will restore most of these. The breakneck pacing and continual tension is exhausting, and some of the biggest moments are too rushed and don't have the proper build up. But these are minor complaints...)

This trilogy is a remarkable, unique achievement. An absolute classic to stand right beside Gone With The Wind, The Adventures of Robin Hood, The Wizard of Oz, The Godfather, the original Star Wars, etc.!

Freakin' incredible!                   

                     How can anyone attack LOTR? Everyone I know loves this movie. Some people follow it for certain reasons, but all in all I have yet to hear anyone complain about it. We showed up at the theater the first day showing, and there were lines out the door, all the shows had been sold out in advance...people won't do that for just any old movie, this was something adored by many. I'm grateful they lived up to the books standards (in my opinion). Some things were left out, but I think they will be in the extended editions when the other two come out.

As for hte emotional bearing, yes my best friend cried most of the way through and squeezed my hand. I cried too, just not as much. It's a very powerful film. Not many movies I've seen have wowed peopel so much. It might be a long time til it's topped, doesn't look like anything that can come even close will be hitting the screen any time soon. For those who haven't seen it, it's a must see.