What was the last movie you saw?

[clovis-man]

Audience reactions in movie theaters are hard to figure. If people are applauding, I sometimes think some just don't want to be the ones who aren't clapping. So the clapping is for each other, not the people on the screen.

When I first saw Young Frankenstein, lo these many years ago, it was in a Los Angeles theater. In the grave digging scene, when Marty Feldman began shoveling dirt all over himself, the audience went nuts. I watched it again in Fresno a week later and there was absolutely no audience reaction to the same scene. How come? Demographics? People in L.A. are smarter? People in Fresno don't like dirt? No clue.

[clovis-man]

Originally Posted by JunkMonkey

My brother used to work as a projectionist in an art house cinema. He was bemused once sometime during the 90s when, after a screening of Der Rosenkavalier (1962) http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0056426/ the entire audience gave it a standing ovation.

And I saw this film in the 1960s in a Sacramento theater. I felt no urge to applaud and, apparently, neither did the rest of the audience. It was pretty good, though. Herbert von Karajan conducting the Vienna Philharmonic and Elisabeth Schwarzkopf at the height of her career.

[Foxbat]

Originally Posted by clovis-man

Audience reactions in movie theaters are hard to figure. If people are applauding, I sometimes think some just don't want to be the ones who aren't clapping. So the clapping is for each other, not the people on the screen.

Maybe it's us reserved British, but I've bever witnessed clapping in a cinema.

I think often that an audience leaving in utter silence can be a better indication of a film that's been enjoyed. I know that in my case, the silence is an indication that I'm still pondering what I saw. On the other hand, if it's been a bad film, I usually voice that opinion to whomever I'm with as soon as the credits roll.

[JunkMonkey]

I may have expounded this here before but I have a long held theory that films that affect you make you move differently. At its crudest when you come out of a Fred Astair movie you feel you can dance, when you come out of a superhero film you feel like you can fly - and your body reacts as if it can. Just like when when we were kids and came out of the Saturday morning matinees - those of us old enough and British enough to know what I'm talking about... will know what I'm talking about - we came out 'being' robots or Zorro or whatever was playing that week.

To me an audience leaving in utter silence means 'the wrong kind of film'. Stolid art house vagueness with nice camerawork and lots of shots of **** all happening for long periods.

[clovis-man]

Originally Posted by JunkMonkey

Just like when when we were kids and came out of the Saturday morning matinees - those of us old enough and British enough to know what I'm talking about... will know what I'm talking about - we came out 'being' robots or Zorro or whatever was playing that week.

For me in the U.S. it was Hopalong Cassidy.

http://www.hopalong.com/

[Foxbat]

The Eidelweiss Pirates A fictional movie but based on the real life events of a group of youths in wartime Germany who stood up to and rebelled against the Nazi regime. It's a bit of a cliched storyline in the use of two brothers (each on opposite sides) but it's still worth a watch.

[Allegra]

Originally Posted by Foxbat

I think often that an audience leaving in utter silence can be a better indication of a film that's been enjoyed. I know that in my case, the silence is an indication that I'm still pondering what I saw.

I agree. For example the Oscar winning Italian film Life is beautiful. I remember after the film ended no one moved, the audience just sat there until the last chord dropped and the screen went blank. Then people got up silently, many with teary eyes.

Watched drama-documentary Van Gogh Painted With Words on Youtube the other day - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xir2M0cM9v4. Since BBC's Sherlock I became a fan of Benedict Cumberbatch, now I'm a bigger fan! His Van Gogh is totally convincing and his voice, wow!

[Foxbat]

Originally Posted by Allegra

I agree. For example the Oscar winning Italian film Life is beautiful. I remember after the film ended no one moved, the audience just sat there until the last chord dropped and the screen went blank.

Love that film

[Daisy-Boo]

The Avengers 3D


What a film! Great special effects, costumes, story and acting. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. It was filled with thrilling action scenes and humour galore. The pace never flagged. Joss Whedon did a fabulous job. I highly recommend this film.

[JunkMonkey]

Originally Posted by Daisy-Boo

The Avengers 3D


What a film! Great special effects, costumes, story and acting. I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. It was filled with thrilling action scenes and humour galore. The pace never flagged. Joss Whedon did a fabulous job. I highly recommend this film.

Thank you, Mrs Whedon.

[Daisy-Boo]

Originally Posted by JunkMonkey

Thank you, Mrs Whedon.

Sorry for the gushing but the movie was really that good.

[Finnien]

Fantastic news - I can't wait to see it. Maybe that'll mean Joss will have an easier time finding some sort of distribution for his Much Ado About Nothing. Shakespeare with Nathan Fillion, Amy Acker, and Fran Kranz done by Joss Whedon? Who cares if he did it in his back yard in two weeks. It's going to be great.

Plus, Cabin in the Woods was terrific as well. It looks like Whedon's year.

[woodsman]

Also saw Avengers in 3D.

Actually really enjoyed it - can't beat a few huge guys running around hitting things and Scarlett, oh wow. What I really enjoyed was the the humour although it may have just been me, when you're the only person p&*$"@# themselves laughing you do wonder! Nice to see a hero film which seemed to embrace not being taken seriously!

Now I just want Serenity II, Please??
Not convinced about 3D though. Not sure it adds anything and at times seems to detract.

[Daisy-Boo]

Woodsman, I loved the humour too and so did the audience I viewed it with. And Scarlett was kick@ss. :-)

[Foxbat]

Recently watched Into The Abyss - the title of Werner Herzog’s exploration of the death penalty. Right at the very start, Herzog lays his cards on the table by stating his opposition to the death penalty and it is to his credit that (in my opinion) this film gives a balanced and neutral view. By looking into one case (a triple homicide) Herzog explores the crime, the criminals, the circumstances and the effect on the families of the victims.

It is a thought provoking, moving and insightful piece of work. His filming is unobtrusive and allows all involved their chance to voice feelings and opinions on the matter. It is a trip into the human psyche, a gaze into the titular abyss.

Some critics have viewed this film as anti-capital punishment but I do not think it is as straight forward as that. To me, this film is simply a statement on the nature of the importance of life in all its forms, and Herzog shows great respect for his audience by allowing them to draw their own conclusions.

I have always enjoyed Herzog’s work and this documentary coupled with a slightly earlier work (Grizzly Man) shows that this German director still has the ability to bring something profound to the world. Long may it continue.

Personally, I can’t wait to see what he comes out with next.

Highly recommended.