Exceptional Books discussion

I am looking for movies that meet our criteria for books- good characters, good plot, well made. I need to add some quality to my Netfix queue, but it would be a bonus if my husband doesn't hate it. Does anyone have any recommendations?

Me and You and Everyone We Know, and Franklyn for the hubby... (I miss my Netflix, gonna get it back soon!)

Prestige. it's a 2006 movie with excellent actors (Hugh Jackson and Christian Bale are male leads), totally amazing and suspenseful. It's so good it just popped up as soon as I read your request.

Heather wrote: "I am looking for movies that meet our criteria for books- good characters, good plot, well made. I need to add some quality to my Netfix queue, but it would be a bonus if my husband doesn't hate it..."

Let me see, now..........12 Angry Men? Then there's Singin' in the Rain, Un Chien Andalou, A Trip to the Moon, Metropolis, and many more......

Heather wrote: "I am looking for movies that meet our criteria for books- good characters, good plot, well made. I need to add some quality to my Netfix queue, but it would be a bonus if my husband doesn't hate it..."

There are hundreds of them, although I hope on Netflix you've seen The Theory of Flight with Bonham-Carter. Good characters, good acting; it made me laugh and it made me cry. The Lives of Others ) is an astounding movie that even your husband might like if he can handle the subtitles. It's an eye-opener to the tactics of the STASI in East Germany and how the lives of others affect one. I'm more of a foreign movie buff rather that "hollywood-made" so I'll stop here and hope you try these. As well "The World's Fastest Indian" on Netflix is also good - and I'm sure your husband would like to see the story of a Bonneville Flats icon.

I loved the Mothman Prophesies!

Yes many. What film eras and genres interest you? Two that pop into my head are "When the Earth Stood Still" (the 50's version) and "A Man for All Seasons". If you like spectacle I'd suggest "The Ten Commandants", "Cleopatra", "Spartacus", "Ben-Hur"... A wonderful, recent, little known but great drama, IMO, is "Jerome Bixby's The Man from Earth". Musicals: "Amadeus", "Fiddler on the Roof", "Across the Universe", "Cabaret", "Eroica" (love this, but I'm a Beethoven fanatic—it about him practicing the orchestra for its premier, the 3rd symphony one of the great groundbreakers of all time)...

So many more, but your interests are important, I think. EG, I hate romantic comedies, but I'm sure there must be some great ones.

Love the Ten Commandments as long as it's the older version. The newer ones just aren't as good.

I have seen many of the older classics. I love A Man for All Seasons and Cleopatra, but my husband is having none of it. I think he can't suspend his disbelief enough to get past the production values. I added a few of your suggestions to my queue and requested a few others from the library. I'll let you know how they work out. Thank you!

Luys wrote: "Prestige. it's a 2006 movie with excellent actors (Hugh Jackson and Christian Bale are male leads), totally amazing and suspenseful. It's so good it just popped up as soon as I read your request."

We will be watching it this weekend!

Bette wrote: "Heather wrote: "I am looking for movies that meet our criteria for books- good characters, good plot, well made. I need to add some quality to my Netfix queue, but it would be a bonus if my husband..."

I couldn't find The Theory of Flight on Netflix, but I requested it from the library. We love her so it should be a winner!

Heather wrote: "Bette wrote: "Heather wrote: "I am looking for movies that meet our criteria for books- good characters, good plot, well made. I need to add some quality to my Netfix queue, but it would be a bonus..."

That's surprising to me. I watched it on Netflix. Hmm.... At any rate, I hope you enjoy it.

I also loved Easter Parade with Judy Garland.

All time favorite is Snow Falling on Cedars.

Just finished The Night Circus. Would make a great movie.

Can't wait to Extremely Close and Incredibly Loud. One of my alltime favorite books. Also The Art of Racing in the Rain.

Nothing better than To Kill A Mockingbird with Gregory Peck.

Gale wrote: "Can't wait to Extremely Close and Incredibly Loud. One of my alltime favorite books. Also The Art of Racing in the Rain."

I loved both of those books, but I didn't know they were going to be adapted into movies. Do you have any other details?

Marialyce wrote: "Nothing better than To Kill A Mockingbird with Gregory Peck."

I agree. I think I need to watch it again soon!

Heather wrote: "Luys wrote: "Prestige. it's a 2006 movie with excellent actors (Hugh Jackson and Christian Bale are male leads), totally amazing and suspenseful. It's so good it just popped up as soon as I read yo..."

I didn't care for this one too much. I think I liked The Illusionist better, but maybe that's because I saw it first and I love Ed Norton.


Exceptional movies:
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
The Reader
American History X
Stand By Me
Desert Blue

Lena wrote: "Heather wrote: "Luys wrote: "Prestige. it's a 2006 movie with excellent actors (Hugh Jackson and Christian Bale are male leads), totally amazing and suspenseful. It's so good it just popped up as s..."

I liked both, but loved neither. I own Cukoo's Nest, American History X and Stand By Me and do watch them repeatedly. I've never heard of Desert Blue so I will look into it. I really hated the book The Reader, is there any reason for me to check out the movie? (I love Ed Norton too!)

I saw The Reader first and then read the book. It's a lot the same--but I love Kate Winslet, too, so that might have biased me. It is definitely not a feel-good movie, I can tell you that much.

Desert Blue is kind of a strange movie and I think it's fairly obscure. I'd rent it before you buy it, though. It's a certain type of movie that appeals to its own target audience, I guess. Have you seen Empire Records? It has that kind of feel. I guess I'd describe it as 'random.'

My favourite movie of all time is Lawrence of Arabia.

Kyle wrote: "A Beautiful Mind is an outstanding movie. The true story of John Nash, a genius battling mental illness. Very inspiring.

One of the best films I've seen. Russell Crowe is fantastic in the lead role."

I agree. That is an amazing movie.

In the Bedroom is based on a short story by Andre Dubus (who I think was one of the best short story writers of the 20th Century and one of the most underrated.)

It's a beautiful piece of film making with great performances.

Heather wrote: "Bette wrote: "Heather wrote: "I am looking for movies that meet our criteria for books- good characters, good plot, well made. I need to add some quality to my Netfix queue, but it would be a bonus..."

The Magic of Flight is on Netflix narrated by Tom Selleck

I am a teacher and I love "To Sir with Love" with Sidney Poitier. I just saw "Blackboard Jungle" (also with Poitier, as a student). "Guess Who's Coming to Dinner" is another Poitier movie with Kathryn Hepburn and Spencer Tracey.

Deborah wrote: "In the Bedroom is based on a short story by Andre Dubus (who I think was one of the best short story writers of the 20th Century and one of the most underrated.)

It's a beautiful piece of film mak..."

I agree! It has been a while since I've seen it. I think I need to watch it again soon.

Marialyce wrote: "Nothing better than To Kill A Mockingbird with Gregory Peck."

I'd say this about both the book and the movie. Peter O'Toole is a favorite as is Lawrence. Others of his I'd suggest are Becket, The Lion in Winter and The Last Emperor. I would also put Doctor Zhivago on the list.

Here are some other movies I've really enjoyed:

Enchanted April (visually stunning)
Frozen River (Just a couple years old, I think. Maybe it's older but I only saw it last year or the year before.)
Blood Simple - Weird and wonderful
Bagdad Cafe - Amazingly weird and one of those movies you can watch every time you feel sad for a lift.
The Widow of St. Pierre
I could go on, but feel like at a certain point my list will become exhausting. I don't want to exhaust you.

Kyle wrote: "Yeah, Peter O'Toole was excellent in Lawrence Of Arabia. Great movie, Joanna!"

I was lucky enough to meet him at The National Archives. He was such a gentelman!

The Ten Commandments with Charleton Heston will always be one of my all time favorite movies! Way ahead of its time!
It's hard for me and my Husband to find movies we both enjoy too!

More current movies I can suggest would be, Russell Crowes Gladiator. Brad Pitts Troy! The Tudors is an excellent historical Fiction depicting the life of Henry VIII! Visually stunning as well! I refused to start watching it but one day as I was ironing near the tv my husband was watching it ! I tried so hard not to watch, but instead became addicted! It's on Netflix!

The untouchables - story of Elliot Ness and his pursuit of Al Capone.

If your not too squimish you could try Dexter. I am usually pretty conservative when it comes to books and movies and don't usually like much gore or violence but for some strange reason really like Dexter!

Sorry for deviating from the clssics! ;0) Other favorites of mine that I watch alone usually are 'Ladyhawk' Ha! sound track is dreadful but love the story, Robin Hood Prince of Theives with Kevin Kostner and a Knights Tale with Heath Ledger. Do you sense a running theme here?

Kyle wrote: "The Untouchables was outstanding!"

Agreed. I'd also recommend The Deer Hunter and The Professional. Both great movies.

Kernos wrote: "Marialyce wrote: "Nothing better than To Kill A Mockingbird with Gregory Peck."

I'd say this about both the book and the movie. Peter O'Toole is a favorite as is Lawrence. Others of his I'd sugges..."

Atticus Finch,all time best book-to-movie characterization!!

Ladyhawk wrote: "...More current movies I can suggest would be, Russell Crowes Gladiator. Brad Pitts Troy! The Tudors is an excellent historical Fiction depicting the life of Henry VIII! ..."

I enjoyed The Tudors a lot, but think I liked the Six Wives of Henry VIII better. For miniseries, I, Claudius and Brideshead Revisited are favorites.

Has anyone seen Winter's Bone? I think it was the best movie we've watched this year.

Heather wrote: "Marialyce wrote: "Nothing better than To Kill A Mockingbird with Gregory Peck."

I agree. I think I need to watch it again soon!"

Marialyce wrote: "Nothing better than To Kill A Mockingbird with Gregory Peck."

Gale wrote: "Heather wrote: "Marialyce wrote: "Nothing better than To Kill A Mockingbird with Gregory Peck."

I agree. I think I need to watch it again soon!""

True, nothing better.

Some of my favourites:
Hidden (Caché) (2005)
NEDS (2010)
Festen (1998)
Moon (2009)
The Lives of Others (2006)
The White Ribbon (2009)
The Piano Teacher (2001)

Deborah wrote: "In the Bedroom is based on a short story by Andre Dubus (who I think was one of the best short story writers of the 20th Century and one of the most underrated.)

It's a beautiful piece of film mak..."

I absolutely loved that film.

some of my all time favorites:

The Princess Bride
The Lord of the Rings
Dead Poets Society
Remember the Titans

I have seen alot of the movies mentioned and now have added some to my list on Netflix!! Looking forward to more of your suggestions!

I like:
Letters to God (will need tissues)
Freakonomics (spelling)
Like most of the IMAX movies, too

Sarah;s Key was a very good movie adaption!!!

Very few people have heard of this movie, and it was released in 1997. The movie is Gattaca, starring Ethan Hawke and Jude Law.

Tina wrote: "Very few people have heard of this movie, and it was released in 1997. The movie is Gattaca, starring Ethan Hawke and Jude Law."

Great movie! Ethan and Jude were great together and since our great security brouhaha, the movie seems so realistic.

The Usual Suspects and LA Confidential. Also Primal Fear is very good as well, with a very young Edward Norton, and Shawshank Redemption it one of the greatest.

Scotland PA. Macbeth in a Pennsylvania diner.

Kernos wrote: "Tina wrote: "Very few people have heard of this movie, and it was released in 1997. The movie is Gattaca, starring Ethan Hawke and Jude Law."

Great movie! Ethan and Jude were great together and s..."
Just added to my Netflix Queue.

Here is a list of movies i find AWESOME:
-Forest Gump
-Twilight Saga (all parts)
-The kite runner
-Harry Potter (all parts)
-Due Date
-Diary of a wimpy kid (childish but very funny!)

I recently watched this film called "Neco z Alenky". It is a Czech adaptation of Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. I personally think it's the best adaptation of the book, though it is really different and much darker than the original book. Definitely a top 10 film for me.