Great Alternative Christmas Movies

http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/dvdextras/2007/12/now_i_havea_machine_gun_ho_ho_ho.html

Do you consider Die Hard a Christmas classic? Then this might be the perfect list of holiday movies for you!

Ten Great Shakespeare Adaptations

http://entertainment.time.com/2013/06/10/will-power-10-great-shakespeare-movies/

Earlier this week the Film Society watched Joss Whedon's excellent new adaptation of Much Ado About Nothing. If you're interested in checking out some other great (sometimes unorthodox) adaptations of the Bard's plays, check out this list from Time Magazine.

The Top 10 Comic Book-Based Performances

http://www.newsarama.com/15594-10-best-comic-book-based-movie-performances-of-all-time.html

With Thor 2 just around the corner, superhero movie fans are ready for some more comic book action! Here are some comic book movies that are remembered for the great acting performances and not just the over-the-top action.

Psycho - October Meeting - 10/28 6 PM

October Film Discussion

Psycho

We had an excellent discussion Monday night after Baz Luhrmann's visually stunning "The Great Gatsby". As John Cleese might say, "And now for something completely different". Next month we will be discussing Alfred Hitchcock's classic thriller "Psycho". The film was quite controversial upon release for both it's violent content and sexual themes and Hitchcock's no late admittance policy at the theater was previously unheard of. "Psycho", along with "Halloween" and "Peeping Tom" helped create the "slasher" film genre and is considered one of the greatest thrillers of all time by film critics and fans alike. It went on to earn four academy award nominations and has been the subject of countless sequels, remakes, and a current hit television show. The film also set a new level of acceptability in violent and sexual content in American films.

Rated R for violence and brief nudity. 

Watch & Discuss

This month the film society will engage in discussions about the themes of the movie. The enjoyment of the films we watch can be enhanced by thinking more deeply about them and participating in discussions both online and at our monthly meeting. Everyone is invited to participate in these discussions with us. Please join us and engage in thoughtful discussion right here.

Questions for Discussion

1. Does Hitchcock foreshadow the final reveal at all throughout the film? How does he add to the constant feeling of dread present in the film?

2. Did you find the violence surprisingly tame? Too brutal? Why do you think the film was so controversial?

3. How does Hitchcock use music, sounds, lighting, and camera angles to increase the tension and make the film feel more violent than it is?

4. What films have you seen that have paid homage to scenes in "Psycho"?

Psycho on IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0054215/

The Sports Movie Oscars

(sportshollywood.com)

http://www.usatoday.com/story/gameon/2013/02/22/sports-movie-oscars/1938227/

Remember, we're discussing the Jackie Robinson biopic 42 next month. Here are some other great sports films to help add to the discussion!

The Best Films of 2013 (so far)

http://www.guardian.co.uk/film/filmblog/2013/jun/21/best-films-2013-year-so-far

July Film Society Meeting

July Film Discussion

Watch and Discuss 

The Ides of March
Thanks to everyone that came this month for Lincoln!  In July, we will discuss George Clooney's The Ides of March on Monday. This fast-paced political thriller should be an interesting companion piece to our discussion of Lincoln. George Clooney wrote and directed this film and received an Academy Award nomination for the screenplay. The film boasts a star-studded cast including Ryan Gosling, George Clooney, Philip Seymour Hoffman, Paul Giamatti, Evan Rachel Wood, and  Marisa Tomei.

Ambition seduces and power corrupts in this nerve-wracking thriller from Academy Award nominated director George Clooney. Idealistic campaign worker Stephen Meyers (Ryan Gosling) has sworn to give all for Governor Mike Morris (George Clooney), a wild-card presidential candidate whose groundbreaking ideas could change the political landscape. However, a brutal Ohio primary threatens to test Morris's integrity. Stephen gets trapped in the down-and-dirty battle and finds himself caught up in a scandal where the only path to survival is to play both sides.

The Ides of March is rated R for strong language.
17+ unless accompanied by a parent or guardian.

Watch & Discuss

This month, the Film Society will engage in discussions about the themes of this movie.  The enjoyment of the films we watch can be enhanced by thinking more deeply about them and participating in discussions both online and at our monthly meeting.  Everyone is invited to participate in these discussions with us. Please join us and engage in thoughtful discussion about this film right here.

Questions for Discussion
Please leave your comments regarding these questions and any thoughts about the movie you'd like to discuss or share in the Comment Box below.

1. How do Meyers and Morris change over the course of the film? Is compromising their values necessary for the greater good?

2. Do you think the choice Meyers makes over the course of the film are for the greater good or more personally motivated?

3. How has the role of public image changed for political figures between Lincoln and the Ides of March?

4. Meyers truly believes Morris is the right man to be president, regardless of the choices Morris makes. Do you agree with Meyers at the end of the movie?

5. Are a presidential candidates values and personal integrity even important when compared to their political policies? Are these factors more important now that everything is recorded and accessible on the Internet?

References

The Ides of March on IMDB  http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1124035/

Image Credits

www.edgeoftheplank.com

June Film Discussion: Lincoln

  June Film Discussion

Watch and Discuss 

Lincoln
This month we will discuss Steven Spielberg's Lincoln. The film hosts an all-star cast including Daniel Day-Lewis, Tommy Lee Jones, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, and Sally Field. Lincoln won two Academy Awards and was nominated for another ten! This critically acclaimed film will be a treat for movie fans and history buffs alike and offers plenty to talk about.

As the Civil War continues to rage, America's president (2012 Best Actor winner Daniel Day-Lewis) struggles with continuing carnage on the battlefield and fights with many inside his own cabinet on the decision to emancipate the slaves. This film chronicles the president's term in office between 1861 and 1865 as he dealt with personal demons and politics during the Civil War.

Lincoln is rated PG-13 for brief strong language, some images of carnage, and scenes of war violence.


Watch & Discuss

This month, the Film Society will engage in discussions about the themes of this movie.  The enjoyment of the films we watch can be enhanced by thinking more deeply about them and participating in discussions both online and at our monthly meeting.  Everyone is invited to participate in these discussions with us. Please join us and engage in thoughtful discussion about this film right here.

Questions for Discussion
Please leave your comments regarding these questions and any thoughts about the movie you'd like to discuss or share in the Comment Box below.

1. How is the Lincoln marriage portrayed in the film? How do Lincoln and Mary Todd's personalities differ?

2. How does the film portray Lincoln's racial views and his perspective of slavery? Do those views change over the course of the film?

3. How are Lincoln's views of faith portrayed in the film?

4. Lincoln is admired as a historical hero by many, well beyond academic circles. Does the film help support this historical perception of the president or does it offer a new perspective?

References

Lincoln on IMDB   http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0443272/ 

Image Credits

abovethebuzz.com

http://www.parentalguide.org/assets/rating_pg13.gif

Oscars Nominations 2013: Seth MacFarlane & Emma Stone Announce Honorees

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/08/oscars-nominations-2013_n_2435207.html

Oscars 2012: Billy Crystal To Rescue 84th Academy Awards Show

http://news.moviefone.com/2012/02/25/oscars-2012-billy-crystal_n_1301115.html?ref=moviefone
 

2012 Academy Awards Start Time, Best Picture Nominees And Fun Facts 

 

 http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/25/when-are-the-oscars-2012-academy-awards_n_1301169.html?ref=moviefone&ir=Moviefone