Ever watch film and movies to prepare for a trip?
Jul 4th, 2008, 06:30 AM
#21
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I saw Red Balloon before heading to Paris. It's a 50's b/w movie featuring a chile who found a balloon (with only the balloon in color, from what I recall) and walked to school with it. Not much dialogue, but wonderful nonetheless.
I also picked up a wonderful French film called Avenue Montaigne (with Sidney Pollack cameo), at the library. It seems like I couldn't go wrong when I rent any French movie. And yes, I do watch films to prepare for and to wind down from my trips. I thougth I was the only one who does this. Glad to see that other people do the same.
Oh yea, don't want to miss the opportunity to mention one of my recent fav's, Monsieur Ibrahim with Omar Sharif that I love watching over and over. The soundtrack from it which I downloaded from Rhapsody, kept me in the mood as I prep for my trip this last time. Frankie Alamo's Maillot 38-37 is my fav track.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNB3g...eature=related
I also picked up a wonderful French film called Avenue Montaigne (with Sidney Pollack cameo), at the library. It seems like I couldn't go wrong when I rent any French movie. And yes, I do watch films to prepare for and to wind down from my trips. I thougth I was the only one who does this. Glad to see that other people do the same.
Oh yea, don't want to miss the opportunity to mention one of my recent fav's, Monsieur Ibrahim with Omar Sharif that I love watching over and over. The soundtrack from it which I downloaded from Rhapsody, kept me in the mood as I prep for my trip this last time. Frankie Alamo's Maillot 38-37 is my fav track.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aNB3g...eature=related
Jul 4th, 2008, 06:38 AM
#23
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"Night of the Shooting Stars"
"Garden of the Finzi Continis"
"Il Postino"
"Bread and Tulips" (light)
"Summertime" (Kate H. in Venice)
De Sica and Fellini
"Talented Mr. Ripley"
"Garden of the Finzi Continis"
"Il Postino"
"Bread and Tulips" (light)
"Summertime" (Kate H. in Venice)
De Sica and Fellini
"Talented Mr. Ripley"
Jul 4th, 2008, 06:50 AM
#24
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For you French film lovers, I suggest the new and different "Roman de Gare" a twisty mystery type....we're so fortunate to have a spate of foreign films available here in L.A.
Also going to see "Tell No One" tonight..highly recommended by critics. Will give our reactions tomorrow.
Sorry Libs, I don't think they're available in DVD yet..although Tell No One was a smash hit in France...so maybe....but I just dropped this post in to alert posters.
Also going to see "Tell No One" tonight..highly recommended by critics. Will give our reactions tomorrow.
Sorry Libs, I don't think they're available in DVD yet..although Tell No One was a smash hit in France...so maybe....but I just dropped this post in to alert posters.
Jul 4th, 2008, 09:33 AM
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After visiting Scotland, I got interested in the BBC TV series The Monarch of the Glen set in the Highlands. Watched all seven seasons of it and loved it. The scenery is incredible. Watch a few episodes when you need a "Highands fix". It's available on Netflix.
Jul 4th, 2008, 11:44 AM
#28
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MademoiselleFifi - I agree with you a 100% in my adult point-of-view. I enjoy most movies filmed in Manhattan moreso having been there over the years. This list was compiled mostly for my children. I think it gives them insight and prepares them of what to expect. Granted, they receive much more of an idea regarding the differences in culture just by visiting Opa and Oma's Haus on the weekends, where German is the first language, english second and foods, drinks, decor closely related to the old country. This list and any recommendations (thank you everyone!) are really for fun and a creative way to pass the time until we get on the airplane.
ekscrunchy - the "The Red Balloon" on our list is the original. I saw it many years ago as a child and have fond memories of it. I have not seen any remake (as of yet), only heard of it. To clarify, the recent film with Juliette Binoche has a different title... "The Flight of the Red Balloon" and it's not currently on our list. I wanted the kids to see the original as I had seen at their age. Please don't let the Ratatouille and Rugrats picks fool you, we like classic pieces too. And actually, prefer the stage over cinema any day.
Vttraveler - Thanks for the Hunchback of Notre Dame recommendation (even if it's another cartoon). It's perfect for our youngest - I can already picture her saying "I know where we are" as we walk up and view the gargoyles. Thanks!
analogue - Thanks for recommending "In Bruges". If I don't get to it before our trip, I will definitely look into it after. We'll be in Belgium for 3 days.
Thanks to everyone else who has contributed to this list. If I had to pick one over the others for entertainment purposes only, I'd go with "The Talented Mr. Ripley" - it's a favorite of mine.
ekscrunchy - the "The Red Balloon" on our list is the original. I saw it many years ago as a child and have fond memories of it. I have not seen any remake (as of yet), only heard of it. To clarify, the recent film with Juliette Binoche has a different title... "The Flight of the Red Balloon" and it's not currently on our list. I wanted the kids to see the original as I had seen at their age. Please don't let the Ratatouille and Rugrats picks fool you, we like classic pieces too. And actually, prefer the stage over cinema any day.
Vttraveler - Thanks for the Hunchback of Notre Dame recommendation (even if it's another cartoon). It's perfect for our youngest - I can already picture her saying "I know where we are" as we walk up and view the gargoyles. Thanks!
analogue - Thanks for recommending "In Bruges". If I don't get to it before our trip, I will definitely look into it after. We'll be in Belgium for 3 days.
Thanks to everyone else who has contributed to this list. If I had to pick one over the others for entertainment purposes only, I'd go with "The Talented Mr. Ripley" - it's a favorite of mine.
Jul 4th, 2008, 11:54 AM
#29
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Also, we've been watching episodes (all in German) of "Anna, Oskar, und Schmidt" and "Felix" - the popular rabbit in Germany. Watching these programs before our trip helps reinforce what they've learned from German language class.
Jul 4th, 2008, 12:35 PM
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We watched Lost in Translation before we went to Tokyo but it would have been more interesting after we got back.
I read and saw Under the Tuscan Sun before Italy. Loved the book and loved the scenery in the movie but they made too many unneccessary changes to the story for the movie and that was a disappointment.
I read and saw Under the Tuscan Sun before Italy. Loved the book and loved the scenery in the movie but they made too many unneccessary changes to the story for the movie and that was a disappointment.
Jul 4th, 2008, 03:21 PM
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lib,
Here's one more film that I believe has yet to be mentioned: Stealing Beauty. It premiered in '96 and features a very young - and most appealing - performance by Liv Tyler. The film's director, Bernardo Bertolucci, has done a splendid job telling the tale of an innocent abroad (Tyler) while making optimum use of the lovely Tuscan countryside. This film didn't do well at the box office, but it's an underrated gem - and well worth your time, especially if you're headed off to rural Italy.
While not feature films, I'd like to give another plug for Rick Steves' travel documentaries. As a longtime presence on PBS stations from Bangor to Sacramento and countleess points in between, Steves draws the inevitable Bronx cheers, but his genuine enthusiasm for travel mixed with the consistently high quality of his productions is impressive. While his videos always look good, his scripts, too, are polished - offering thoughtful and insightful information and advice concerning countless aspects of Euro travel. (Try contrasting Steves' scripts with those of say, the Travel Channel's Samantha Brown, and one can better appreciate Steves' efforts.)
Heading off to France or Italy for the first time? I can think of no better DVD companion than Rick Steves' Europe.
Here's one more film that I believe has yet to be mentioned: Stealing Beauty. It premiered in '96 and features a very young - and most appealing - performance by Liv Tyler. The film's director, Bernardo Bertolucci, has done a splendid job telling the tale of an innocent abroad (Tyler) while making optimum use of the lovely Tuscan countryside. This film didn't do well at the box office, but it's an underrated gem - and well worth your time, especially if you're headed off to rural Italy.
While not feature films, I'd like to give another plug for Rick Steves' travel documentaries. As a longtime presence on PBS stations from Bangor to Sacramento and countleess points in between, Steves draws the inevitable Bronx cheers, but his genuine enthusiasm for travel mixed with the consistently high quality of his productions is impressive. While his videos always look good, his scripts, too, are polished - offering thoughtful and insightful information and advice concerning countless aspects of Euro travel. (Try contrasting Steves' scripts with those of say, the Travel Channel's Samantha Brown, and one can better appreciate Steves' efforts.)
Heading off to France or Italy for the first time? I can think of no better DVD companion than Rick Steves' Europe.
Jul 4th, 2008, 04:13 PM
#35
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maltesa - Here's a few that were filmed in parts of Russia: AIR FORCE ONE, THE BOURNE SUPREMACY, CAST AWAY, GOLDENEYE, and a favorite of mine - THE SAINT
ekscrunchy - no worries... most threads are vague and without knowing the person seeking advice, how would you know? I didn't take it personally, I just wanted to clarify. I considered not listing the kids' cartoons because I expected snide remarks, but they serve a purpose - at a 6 year old's level anyhow. Having a 6 yr. old explains the "recent or light" selections. Lately, we have been exposed to more recent films, but that doesn't necessarily mean we like them better. I took a chance with the Heidi and Sound of Music selections as well... to some they've been overexposed while others consider them classics. I view everything on my list as a preference - some may be offended or disgusted and others will walk down memory lane and suggest more. One of the great aspects about Fodor's is that each and every person on here has a different opinion. I expected some to roll their eyes and say "Typical American" and others to offer a variety - children's movies, comedy, romance, black/white, foreign with subtitles, documentary, etc... regardless of what my OP listed. The best defensive mechanism for posting is to always keep in mind "To each his own"
Robespierre and explorerb - thanks for the suggestion... my mother has taken care of that for us - she continuously pulls them out of the cabinet and forces the whole family to watch from time to time. It's her way of reminding us where she's from and what we're all missing. Ah, the love of mothers. LOL
ekscrunchy - no worries... most threads are vague and without knowing the person seeking advice, how would you know? I didn't take it personally, I just wanted to clarify. I considered not listing the kids' cartoons because I expected snide remarks, but they serve a purpose - at a 6 year old's level anyhow. Having a 6 yr. old explains the "recent or light" selections. Lately, we have been exposed to more recent films, but that doesn't necessarily mean we like them better. I took a chance with the Heidi and Sound of Music selections as well... to some they've been overexposed while others consider them classics. I view everything on my list as a preference - some may be offended or disgusted and others will walk down memory lane and suggest more. One of the great aspects about Fodor's is that each and every person on here has a different opinion. I expected some to roll their eyes and say "Typical American" and others to offer a variety - children's movies, comedy, romance, black/white, foreign with subtitles, documentary, etc... regardless of what my OP listed. The best defensive mechanism for posting is to always keep in mind "To each his own"
Robespierre and explorerb - thanks for the suggestion... my mother has taken care of that for us - she continuously pulls them out of the cabinet and forces the whole family to watch from time to time. It's her way of reminding us where she's from and what we're all missing. Ah, the love of mothers. LOL
Jul 4th, 2008, 04:27 PM
#38
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This isn't really what you want but i can't help adding:
for Paris, for grown-ups, Camille Claudel, heart-breaking movie about the talented sculptress who was Rodin's mistress (and starring, of course, in the male role Gerard Depardieu).
And for Italy, a movie I just adore: Kenneth Branaugh's production of Much Ado about Nothing, with Emma Thompson, Denzel Washington, Keanu Reaves, and the guy who plays the nice doctor friend on House. Oh yeah, Michael Keaton too, in hilarious role. My kids love this movie too as it has lots of very funny moments.
But perhaps you're not even going to Italy ;-)
for Paris, for grown-ups, Camille Claudel, heart-breaking movie about the talented sculptress who was Rodin's mistress (and starring, of course, in the male role Gerard Depardieu).
And for Italy, a movie I just adore: Kenneth Branaugh's production of Much Ado about Nothing, with Emma Thompson, Denzel Washington, Keanu Reaves, and the guy who plays the nice doctor friend on House. Oh yeah, Michael Keaton too, in hilarious role. My kids love this movie too as it has lots of very funny moments.
But perhaps you're not even going to Italy ;-)
Jul 4th, 2008, 04:31 PM
#39
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citrouille - you are definitely not alone out there! With children, it's easier and cheaper (for us) to prepare for a trip to Deutschland by renting a movie and boiling some bratwurst or slapping some nutella on a crossiant at home. We'd prefer to save the time and money spent eating at our local French restaurant for the real thing - there's a restaurant in Ribeauville that serves the best escargot! And we can't wait until Paris! Which is exactly why Ratatouille (as silly as it is) could come in handy in preparing our children for their first experience in a french restaurant. There may not be rats, but there will be plenty of opportunities to try new foods!
Jul 4th, 2008, 04:32 PM
#40
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