March 10, 2010
This writing Wednesday, I got to show off more genius! There were a number of lines of poetry on the board when the class came in. The instructor asked us if we knew who had wrote them. I recognized "not even the rain has such small hands." as e.e. cummings - so my hand shot up to provide the answer. She then went on to ask, which film used this line. Again, my hand went up... Hannah and Her Sisters. I looked like a freakin' genius! Today's question is: when was the movie Hannah and Her Sisters released and how much money did it make in the box office?
A: The film was released in 1986, with a box office gross of over $40 million, this film represented Woody Allen's most financially successful film until Match Point in 2005.
The film was also nominated for over 20 awards, taking home 17 of them including Oscars for Best Supporting Actor (Michael Caine) Best Supporting Actress (Dianne Wiest) Best Writing for a Screenplay (Woody Allen).
Source:
Internet Movie Database
Showing posts with label film. Show all posts
Showing posts with label film. Show all posts
Hannah and Her Sisters
February 25, 2010
For Valentine’s Day, I rented Annie Hall (see entry VD) and it reignited the desire to see Woody Allen films. On recommendation, I rented Hannah and Her Sisters, which turned out to have amazingly rich and complicated characters and wonderful plot. The storyline that I was most fascinated with was that of Eliot, Hannah’s husband, and Lee, her sister. Eliot had become enamoured with Lee and decided that he wanted to have an affair with her - to find out what happens I suggest that you go out and rent it. There is a fabulous scene in the film, where Eliot is first trying to get Lee to notice his affections, which takes place in a bookstore. Eliot tells Lee that he read a poem that reminds him of her and he wanted to buy her an anthology book that contained the poem. The featured line from the poem is “nobody, not even the rain, has such small hands”, which I immediately recognized as e. e. cummings, noting that it is also used as the epigraph from Tennessee Williams, The Glass Menagerie. Today’s question is: what is the name of that e. e. cummings poem?
A: The book that Eliot gives Lee in the bookstore is the Complete Poems 1913 – 1962 by e. e. cummings. Eliot tells her that the poem he wants her to read is on page 112 of the book, yet in actuality the poem entitled “somewhere i have never travelled, gladly beyond” is on page 366.
somewhere i have never travelled,gladly beyond
e. e. cummings
somewhere i have never travelled,gladly beyond
any experience,your eyes have their silence:
in your most frail gesture are things which enclose me,
or which i cannot touch because they are too near
your slightest look easily will unclose me
though i have closed myself as fingers,
you open always petal by petal myself as Spring opens
(touching skilfully,mysteriously)her first rose
or if your wish be to close me, i and
my life will shut very beautifully ,suddenly,
as when the heart of this flower imagines
the snow carefully everywhere descending;
nothing which we are to perceive in this world equals
the power of your intense fragility:whose texture
compels me with the color of its countries,
rendering death and forever with each breathing
(i do not know what it is about you that closes
and opens;only something in me understands
the voice of your eyes is deeper than all roses)
nobody,not even the rain,has such small hands
Sources:
Academy of American Poets
Internet Movie Database: Hannah and Her Sisters
For Valentine’s Day, I rented Annie Hall (see entry VD) and it reignited the desire to see Woody Allen films. On recommendation, I rented Hannah and Her Sisters, which turned out to have amazingly rich and complicated characters and wonderful plot. The storyline that I was most fascinated with was that of Eliot, Hannah’s husband, and Lee, her sister. Eliot had become enamoured with Lee and decided that he wanted to have an affair with her - to find out what happens I suggest that you go out and rent it. There is a fabulous scene in the film, where Eliot is first trying to get Lee to notice his affections, which takes place in a bookstore. Eliot tells Lee that he read a poem that reminds him of her and he wanted to buy her an anthology book that contained the poem. The featured line from the poem is “nobody, not even the rain, has such small hands”, which I immediately recognized as e. e. cummings, noting that it is also used as the epigraph from Tennessee Williams, The Glass Menagerie. Today’s question is: what is the name of that e. e. cummings poem?
A: The book that Eliot gives Lee in the bookstore is the Complete Poems 1913 – 1962 by e. e. cummings. Eliot tells her that the poem he wants her to read is on page 112 of the book, yet in actuality the poem entitled “somewhere i have never travelled, gladly beyond” is on page 366.
somewhere i have never travelled,gladly beyond
e. e. cummings
somewhere i have never travelled,gladly beyond
any experience,your eyes have their silence:
in your most frail gesture are things which enclose me,
or which i cannot touch because they are too near
your slightest look easily will unclose me
though i have closed myself as fingers,
you open always petal by petal myself as Spring opens
(touching skilfully,mysteriously)her first rose
or if your wish be to close me, i and
my life will shut very beautifully ,suddenly,
as when the heart of this flower imagines
the snow carefully everywhere descending;
nothing which we are to perceive in this world equals
the power of your intense fragility:whose texture
compels me with the color of its countries,
rendering death and forever with each breathing
(i do not know what it is about you that closes
and opens;only something in me understands
the voice of your eyes is deeper than all roses)
nobody,not even the rain,has such small hands
Sources:
Academy of American Poets
Internet Movie Database: Hannah and Her Sisters
Sitting on an atomic bomb about to go off
February 19, 2010
This evening, my roommate and I went to see the cult classic 'The Room' for the first time. The Royal Cinema in Toronto tends to show it monthly at midnight. 'The Room' was horrifyingly bad, which made it so good. This movie has everything, from terrible acting, editing inconsistencies, a disturbing 1990's slow jam soundtrack, revolting sex scenes and a nonsensical plot. Yet I challenge someone else to attempt something worse and make it just as entertaining. From the screening, it was obvious that there are some really hardcore people who enjoy shouting at the screen and throwing spoons, a la Rocky Horror Picture Show. Today's question is: what is the significance of the spoons in 'The Room'?
A: As a ‘The Room’ virgin, I was completely unaware that there is a framed picture of a spoon inside Johnny and Lisa’s living room. 'The Room' followers have become obsessed with the photo and shout “SPOON!” and hurl plastic picnic spoons at each other or at the screen each time it appears on screen.
So there you have it. If you end up seeing a midnight screening of this amazing display of horribleness, make sure to bring spoons with you!
Sources:
Independent Film Channel: “Everyone betray me!” A Primer on ‘The Room’
The A.V. Club: A Viewer’s Guide to The Room
Times Online: Cult hit The Room is the best worst film
This evening, my roommate and I went to see the cult classic 'The Room' for the first time. The Royal Cinema in Toronto tends to show it monthly at midnight. 'The Room' was horrifyingly bad, which made it so good. This movie has everything, from terrible acting, editing inconsistencies, a disturbing 1990's slow jam soundtrack, revolting sex scenes and a nonsensical plot. Yet I challenge someone else to attempt something worse and make it just as entertaining. From the screening, it was obvious that there are some really hardcore people who enjoy shouting at the screen and throwing spoons, a la Rocky Horror Picture Show. Today's question is: what is the significance of the spoons in 'The Room'?
A: As a ‘The Room’ virgin, I was completely unaware that there is a framed picture of a spoon inside Johnny and Lisa’s living room. 'The Room' followers have become obsessed with the photo and shout “SPOON!” and hurl plastic picnic spoons at each other or at the screen each time it appears on screen.
So there you have it. If you end up seeing a midnight screening of this amazing display of horribleness, make sure to bring spoons with you!
Sources:
Independent Film Channel: “Everyone betray me!” A Primer on ‘The Room’
The A.V. Club: A Viewer’s Guide to The Room
Times Online: Cult hit The Room is the best worst film
Sly Stallone
January 12, 2010
It has been over a decade since I scaled a rock wall. I can remember in high school being taken on a field trip to try it out with all the jocks and fitness fanatics, yet surprised myself by having a great time. Rock climbing was fun and challenging, but it was not going to be something I pursued as a regular hobby.
Fast-forward to today, and I'm trying it again. A guy at work runs a lunchtime fitness session and has organized for a group of work colleagues to try it out as a team building and exercise activity. I'm actually quite excited to do it again and I mentioned to a friend that at then end of it I would recreate Cliffhanger the movie. This got me thinking (a) I've never seen that movie and (b) it sounded kind of crappy when it came out in theatres, what would possess Sylvester Stallone - the guy who played Rocky Balboa and Rambo - to do a mediocre film about rock climbing? But I realized that I was making a judgement on a movie that I know very little about. Today's question is: what is Cliffhanger about?
A: Cliffhanger was released in 1993 and stars Sylvester Stallone and John Lithgow. The story begins at 4000 feet, Gabe Walker and some friends are moving from a mountain top to a helicopter via a steel cable. Suddenly, the equipment fails for one of the climbers, Gabe tries to save her, but she plummets to her death. Nearly a year later, Gabe returns to the town and is convinced to assist in a rescue on the same mountain range. The rescue mission turns out to be a hoax and is actually a plot by a group of thieves, lead by Eric Qualen, to recover three suitcases containing $100 million dollars. Insert lots of intense action sequences and good-versus-evil drama. The bad guys don't get the money and Gabe et al get rescued by the FBI. The end.
The film was nominated for three Oscars for best Sound Effects Editing, Best Visual Effects and Best Sound. Cliffhanger later went on to win an ASCAP award for the Top Box Office Film. It was also screened at the 1993 Cannes Film Festival and was generally praised by critics. Despite this, the movie was also nominated for four Golden Raspberry Awards for Worst Picture, Worst Supporting Actor (John Lithgow), Worst Supporting Actress (Janine Turner) and Worst Screenplay. Cliffhanger is also in the Guinness World Book of Records for the costliest aerial stunt ever performed.
The film still seems a little plot thin to me, but I will be renting it so that I can substaniate my feelings. And just for the record - perhaps I will not be recreating Cliffhanger at the Rock Oasis tonight; 4000 feet seems a bit extreme.
Sources:
IMDB: Cliffhanger (1993)
Wikipedia: Cliffhanger (film)
It has been over a decade since I scaled a rock wall. I can remember in high school being taken on a field trip to try it out with all the jocks and fitness fanatics, yet surprised myself by having a great time. Rock climbing was fun and challenging, but it was not going to be something I pursued as a regular hobby.
Fast-forward to today, and I'm trying it again. A guy at work runs a lunchtime fitness session and has organized for a group of work colleagues to try it out as a team building and exercise activity. I'm actually quite excited to do it again and I mentioned to a friend that at then end of it I would recreate Cliffhanger the movie. This got me thinking (a) I've never seen that movie and (b) it sounded kind of crappy when it came out in theatres, what would possess Sylvester Stallone - the guy who played Rocky Balboa and Rambo - to do a mediocre film about rock climbing? But I realized that I was making a judgement on a movie that I know very little about. Today's question is: what is Cliffhanger about?
A: Cliffhanger was released in 1993 and stars Sylvester Stallone and John Lithgow. The story begins at 4000 feet, Gabe Walker and some friends are moving from a mountain top to a helicopter via a steel cable. Suddenly, the equipment fails for one of the climbers, Gabe tries to save her, but she plummets to her death. Nearly a year later, Gabe returns to the town and is convinced to assist in a rescue on the same mountain range. The rescue mission turns out to be a hoax and is actually a plot by a group of thieves, lead by Eric Qualen, to recover three suitcases containing $100 million dollars. Insert lots of intense action sequences and good-versus-evil drama. The bad guys don't get the money and Gabe et al get rescued by the FBI. The end.
The film was nominated for three Oscars for best Sound Effects Editing, Best Visual Effects and Best Sound. Cliffhanger later went on to win an ASCAP award for the Top Box Office Film. It was also screened at the 1993 Cannes Film Festival and was generally praised by critics. Despite this, the movie was also nominated for four Golden Raspberry Awards for Worst Picture, Worst Supporting Actor (John Lithgow), Worst Supporting Actress (Janine Turner) and Worst Screenplay. Cliffhanger is also in the Guinness World Book of Records for the costliest aerial stunt ever performed.
The film still seems a little plot thin to me, but I will be renting it so that I can substaniate my feelings. And just for the record - perhaps I will not be recreating Cliffhanger at the Rock Oasis tonight; 4000 feet seems a bit extreme.
Sources:
IMDB: Cliffhanger (1993)
Wikipedia: Cliffhanger (film)
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)