At the flicks

All right, the first meeting of the VM/JP fan club is called to order. There being no minutes, we shall proceed to the first order of business. Terry has nominated Jude Law to the Icons of Choice (hereinafter, "IC's"), and Billy objects on the vague grounds of sleaziness. We shall open the question to discussion. You need not wait to be recognized by the chair, but may submit your comments at any time. At some random time to be determined at the whim of the chairman, discussion shall be closed and the matter placed for a vote. What constitutes a quorum shall be determined at the whim of the chairman unless three others, in addition to Billy and myself, identify themselves as members, in which a quorum shall be three. If we have an even number, the chair shall not vote (the ONLY semblance of a democracy this club shall observe).
Please proceed.

Indeedy I do and with the utmost concise vagueness I declare that sleeping with your son's nanny is hardly a peace-keeping mission...is it? But then I guess he must've had his reasons and I shall try and remain objective on this matter as it shouldn't detract form his acting skills, although having said that, nothing he's done has knocked me over...am i that immune to his charms/charisma and acting cred? Have I subconsciously put up a sleaze- barrier?

Anyone want to second that?

Anyhoo, after extensive research on JL (let it be known that i don't talk out of my arse all the time) I found a little nugget that has made me joyful this morning (even though sad too on account of the death of Minghella - my emotions are swinging as I haven't had food or drink as yet)...

"Minghella was recently in Botswana filming an adaptation of Alexander McCall Smith’s novel “The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency.” It is due to air on British television this week."

The novel is a little gem and should make for good TV.

Madam Chairperson Terry, I would like to nominate John Malkovich as my IC. He's like an onion...

Discussion on the current motion is closed. After observing a moment of silence for Minghella, the Chair thanks Billy for adding to the discussion of Jude Law and, based on the additional comments, the Chair's motion to induct him is, hereby,
DEFEATED.
The chair on its own motion passes a resolution that Jude Law will, instead, be honored with the 2008 WASP (Woody Allen Sleaziest Person) award, and he is hereby declared a cad.
Billy makes a second motion, and there being no discussion or objections, the motion carries. The IC (Icons of Choice) Club (new name unceremoniously adopted by the Chair) hereby inducts John Malkovich to its Hall of Honchos.

I propose Clive Owen to the H of H, good-looking, talented, good-looking...

I second Mary's motion. Members should note nominations are closed to American actors until we induct at least two non-Americans.

Billy, I would draw your attention to Article I of the IC Club:
"I.
No less weight shall be given a motion or discussion point due merely to the fact that a statement was pulled from the speaker's arse."

Members should note Mel Gibson is ineligible for induction because he is an idiot. Please see Article II(a) of the By-laws:

"II.
Members shall induct neither:
a. run-of-the-mill idiots; nor
b. grandiose idiots."

Tom Cruise is ineligible under Article II(b).

I seem to be monopolizing this thread, which wasn't my intention, but I warned you guys I love to talk about movies.
Watched In Her Shoes again last night on a late movie. Stars Cameron Diaz, Toni Collette, and Shirley MacLaine, all three of whom give some of the nicest, most nuanced performances of their careers. This is a Chic Flick Extraordinaire. 5 out of 5. As a bonus, cast includes a person who was in Silence of the Lambs. See if you can spot.

If you watch In Her Shoes, highly recommend doing so around the same time you watch Things You Can Tell Just by Looking at Her. My number 1 fave Chick Flick (with IHS a close second). Cam Diaz again. One of my favorite movie moments is Diaz's soliloquy, in which her character takes the clues found by her detective sister at a suicide scene, weaves them together as the detritous of a woman's life, plus the vision of the beautiful decedent in a red dress, to weave a heartbreaking narrative of how love and life can break our hearts. Highest recommendation. To chicks, at least.

Sorry, bit about woman in the red dress was a SPOILER. And I should have said "to form a ... narrative."

hey Terry, the more comments the merrier. I haven't seen much lately, but love reading comments about movies.

Thanks, Mary. But now I want to post a review, preceded with a warning: SPOILER. This review contains political diatribe, angst, and perhaps TMI about the plot of the movie du jour.
Just watched Feast of Love on DVD. I wanted a light happy comedy after recent movies viewed. First, some context, and bear with this political aside.
I read an article not long ago in Newsweek by their veteran foreign correspondent, the subject of which was his sense that many nations around the globe were waiting for our next election so that our country could reassume its place as leader of the free world. At the time, I wondered at his optimism that a change in administrations could have the desired result. My sense for the past couple of years has been that we are so mired in a National Malaise, having been buried in a war by the Worst President in Our History, and all the travails that resulted (a deliberate debt to prevent future spending for social programs; a free-wheeling economy that has left the middle-class-on-down on the breaking point because of the mortgage crisis and gas prices), that we may not emerge for decades, if we ever regain our former stature and confidence at all. One of the most telling demonstrations of our loss of hope is the thoughts of democrats afraid to vote for Barack Obama, as captured in private conversations, televised interviews, etc.: what if he disappoints us; what if we do the same thing to him we did to Bobby Kennedy?
Which leads to my review of Feast of Love. I thought with Greg Kinnear, and based on previews showing the only over-the-top hilarious scene in the movie, this would lighten my heart. But Hollywood is apparently suffering the same self-evaluation as the general population. Instead, this is a movie with a main character/narrator [Morgan Freeman] who is a philosopher/observer/advisor who, at the darkest moment in the film, proclaims that if there is a God, “he is either dead, or he despises us.” His conclusion is based on a string of events which have tested the hearts of those who have dared to love, but he may as well have been speaking for the hearts and minds of Americans who feel the same sense of helplessness – however we try to sublimate it – about our selves as citizens and our role in the world.
I was hoping for a happy-go-lucky romantic comedy and didn’t get it. I’ll give Feast of Love a begrudging 5 out of 5 stars.

I watched The No. 1 Ladies’ Detective Agency the other Sunday (I nearly missed it and just happened to flick the TV on and bob's your uncle there it was). It was superb, rich in culture every last bit of it, the characters Jill Scott as Precious and Anika Noni Rose as Makutsi were marvellous and the scenery wonderful. Minghella did it proud. The BBC are going to be doing a series in the Autumn can't wait.

oh, André, now I can't wait!!!!!!!! I LOVED all the books I have read so far, and was anxious that the tv show did justice to the wonderful story.

This being my study time and a time to focus on the job at hand and for some serious contemplation,deliberation and procrastination, I would like to hereby nominate 12 non- American actors ( Madam Chairperson Terry did state, and I quote, "at least two")

Daniel Day-Lewis - Looked good in mocassins and a ponytail
Alan Rickman - sneers really well
Jason Isaacs - sneers even better and is incredibly charismatic with it.
Gary Oldman - dark and brooding.
Sean Connery - I'd like to braid his chest hair.
John Hurt - the timbre of his voice sends shivers even when he had a speech impediment.
Ben Kingsley - dies well in all movies.
Anthony Hopkins - he cooks liver well.
James McAvoy - looks good in a kilt.
Ian Mckellan - I sat next to him on a train once.
Ralph Fiennes - I'd like to play scrabble with him.
Colin Firth - looks good wet.

I do not think that any of the above IC's violates Article II(a and b) of the By-laws.

Terry, you go for it, monopolise to your heart's content...I haven't seen your no. 1 chick flick, so I'll look out for it. Your thoughts on your country is interesting to read, and even though I am an observer and reluctant to air my opinion on another country's state of affairs - if Obama gets voted in let's hope that history is not repeated in the worst possible way...and that he lives long enough to 'repair the damage'.

Oh bertie!! I can't wait to see it! Mary - how long do you reckon it'll take before the ABC gets to air it?
btw - Bob isn't my uncle's name, it's Peter...x

Billy, too long.....

I second James Mcavoy and Colin Firth, they both rank highly on the yum-o-meter. I love Alan Rickman's sneers, (and he looks good in tights) so he's seconded too . Isn't Ralph Fiennes up with JL on the sleaze factor? Something about aeroplanes?

You maybe right Mary, although there were rumours that Ralph Fiennes MHC may have been getting into character for an upcoming movie "Houdini at Altitude", which has since been shelved due to soaring fuel costs and that Guy Pearce had already pipped him to the post (in playing Houdini that is...).

Billy, HOWDY. Glad to see your posts. I would second all your posts except for Sean Connery. Unfortunately, he holds an honorary lifetime achievement WASP award (Woody Allen Sleaziest Person). I had a personal encounter that was a bit gross.

Re Daniel Day Lewis, Last of the Mohicans was one of the first videos we ever wanted to own. I will never understand why that movie wasn't best picture that year, Lewis the best actor as most scrumptuous man to ever run through a forest in a loin cloth (and hottest sex w/no nudity ever filmed), and Eric Schweig best supporting actor as cutest and coolest guy we never wanted to see killed in a raging battle with a sociopath. Alas, the death was necessary because it was the point of the book and the movie, but [sigh] what a waste of manliness.

Re Alan Rickman, I've had a crush on him from the first time I saw him on film. In addition to the sneer, he also can be over-the-top funny (camping it up as the Sheriff of Nottingham, and ordering minions to "cancel Christmas" in Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves); sardonic (Dogma); and heart-breakingly lovable (Truly, Madly, Deeply). Whaddaman.

Terry, AR was also wonderful in one of the Austen novels, (was it S and S?) where he again looked fab in tight trousers and hid his burning passion under a veneer of manly restraint. Whoa, I need to take a cold shower just writing about it...

I'm spashing my face as we speak, Mary.

I meant one of the films of an Austen novel...but I'm sure you knew that anyway

How could I forget Sense and Sensibility? I've watched it at least 6 times. Waiting so patiently while Mr. Darby, the cad, wooed his beloved; then waiting so anxiously when she was ill. The look on his face when she thanks him, finally, for bringing her mother.... Was there ever a lovlier wedding scene than the last moments of that movie? My husband does not even dare laugh at me when I watch it, because even he recognizes an SCF (Sacred Chick Flick) when he sees it.

Mary, at least half the posts here would be dedicated to corrections or explanations if we didn't assume others can fill in the blanks of our posts. E.g., Re S&S, my last post should have read that Alan Rickman's character, ___ (name didn't come to mind immediately), was waiting so patiently.... But I knew you guys knew the point of the plot reference was Alan Rickman. Indeed, maybe the point of EVERYTHING is Alan Rickman. At any rate, apologies never required!

I think you have summed it up Terry..'the point of EVERYTHING is Alan Rickman'.

SA4 seems to care that they're the first topic under "Off Topic." Ergo, it behooves us to post if for no other reason than to get their goat.

Whoa, Mary, I believe you just articulated the mission statement for the IC Club, and I second it. "The point of EVERYTHING is Alan Rickman." Open to the floor for discussion but unless there is a cogent objection, the motion shall carry.

ooo Terry, that is below the belt.. just because SA4 has a lot of chatterboxes, doesnt mean it is a competition to be first in 'Off Topic'.
I for one, unlike the other 2 perthites dont go to the movies that often.. Loves moives, just dont go as often as I would like to ..
Have to agree with Mary, James McAvoy and Colin
Firth .. Yumo . soso on Alan Rickman
love the Austen Movies, could watch them over and over as well.

moives = movies

There can be no cogent objection, so motion carried...

Hey Rolanda, movies? we're talking about movies?

Hey Mary, was listening to 720ABC radio yesterday afternoon. the TV Adict reporter was on, and one of the listener's questions was ' when is the 1st Ladies Detective Agency Series coming on the ABC.. he didnt know, but was going to find out.. so must remember to listen for the answer next week.
Have read all the books in the series..

Great news Rolanda, have just been searching the ABC website for a spot to ask ( and there isn't one!). Just waiting for 'Speedy Motors' to get into the library. Have you read his other 'series' books? The 3 involving the German professor and sausage dogs are very funny.

no Mary, havent read the other books by Alexander McCall Smith ..
just reading Speedy Motors now.. borrowed my friends book.. we both are looking forward to watching the series..

He has written other series too, one of which contains the intriguingly titled 'Friends, Lovers, Chocolate'..though I do disagree with his order!

Hey Rolanda...that was my text they read out on 720! He has homework to do...