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Members' Mausoleum => Calendar Events / Announcements Archive => Calendar Events / Announcements '24 I => Calendar Events / Announcements '15 I => Topic started by: Patti Feinberg on February 13, 2015, 08:59:25 PM

Title: OT<Woman in Black
Post by: Patti Feinberg on February 13, 2015, 08:59:25 PM

I had recently purchased "Ghost Story" (the made for TV movie, Fred Astaire).

I went to Amazon to see if there was 'extras' on this (it says street date 2006).

I read a few reviews, someone mentioned, "Woman in Black".

Put that in IMDb, I remembered seeing it with Daniel Radcliff a couple of times.

But, the above 'someone' was talking about the 1989 made for TV movie (in England).

The 1989 movie sounds very creepy.

On Amazon, it's only available on VHS.

First, has anyone ever seen the 1989/English movie? I say movie, because someone on IMDb asks if the D. Radcliff is just a do-over, no, but both are based on (sorry, don't remember the author's name) book.

Also, does anyone know why it wouldn't be available on DVD? (And, I know thanks to here to make sure I get Region I.)

Patti

Title: Re: OT<Woman in Black
Post by: Gerard on February 14, 2015, 01:12:09 AM

Actually, Ghost Story was not made for TV; it was a big-screen adaptation of the novel by Peter Straub.  The novel was very creepy and Stephen Kingish.  And in the novel, the creature haunting the main characters was not a ghost but a supernatural creature.  The cinematic version turned it into a ghost and, despite having iconic movie stars (like Fred Astaire and others) in it, it was a critical flop.  When I saw it after reading the novel, I was not impressed.

Gerard

Title: Re: OT<Woman in Black
Post by: Mysterious Benefactor on February 14, 2015, 01:41:44 AM

I enjoyed Ghost Story when I saw it. But then I haven't read the book, so I can understand your disappointment, Gerard, because at least 8 out of 10 times when I've read the book first, I find the movie to be a disappointment. Though that's often because the visualization one creates while one reads a book is often hard to live up to with the movie version. I've said this before, but as much as I love the book The Shining, I loathe the Jack Nicholson '80 movie version. I think the only adaptation that comes anywhere close to a realization of the book is the '97 miniseries with Steven Weber and Rebecca De Mornay.

As for the earlier British version of The Woman in Black, I've never seen it. But it would be very interesting to track it down and compare it to the Daniel Radcliffe version because I really like that and I've just read some reviews of the earlier version that say it's better.

As to why the earlier version isn't on DVD, well, not everything comes out a DVD, so it could be as simple as that. Whoever owns the movie may not think it's a movie that would sell well enough to justify releasing it. I mean, look at how long we had to battle WB to get hoDS and NoDS released...

Title: Re: OT<Woman in Black
Post by: Patti Feinberg on February 14, 2015, 02:17:54 AM

Quote from: Mysterious Benefactor on February 14, 2015, 01:41:44 AM

I enjoyed Ghost Story when I saw it.

Me too MB. Going to watch in just a minute.

Quote

As for the earlier British version of The Woman in Black, I've never seen it. But it would be very interesting to track it down and compare it to the Daniel Radcliffe version because I really like that and I've just read some reviews of the earlier version that say it's better.

As to why the earlier version isn't on DVD, well, not everything comes out a DVD, so it could be as simple as that. Whoever owns the movie may not think it's a movie that would sell well enough to justify releasing it. I mean, look at how long we had to battle WB to get hoDS and NoDS released...

True that (on HoDS & NoDS), but, I believe there is already WIB II out....?

Patti

Title: Re: OT<Woman in Black
Post by: Gerard on February 14, 2015, 02:30:03 AM

I so agree with you, MB, on the Stanley Kubrick version of The Shining.  What a disappointment.  It had its wonderful moments (thanks to Nicholson), but it was a typical, Kubrick mess.  The '97 made-for-TV mini-series was so much better (penned by King himself).  An interesting anecdote:  when Kubrick was making his version, one time, King recalled being up early in the morning and the phone rang.  He answered it.  The caller asked:  "Is this Stephen King?'  He answered:  "Yes."  "This is Stanley Kubrick.  Do you believe in god?"  Still shaving and taken off guard, King answered:  "Um, I guess so."  Kubrick responded:  "Okay," and hung up.  Then, with shaving creme on his face, King thought:  "What is he doing to my book?"  When he saw the final product he was not pleased, although he later admitted it "grew" on him.  As much as I hated Kubrick's adaption (I hate virtually everything he has done), I will, again, admit, it does have its moments but only because of the performers.  Heeeerrreee's Johnny!

If you get a chance, MB, read Staub's novel.  It's wonderful.  Well, it begins slow, plods along slow, buy half-way through you can't put it down.  Just keep at it and it'll become a roller-coaster ride.  The cinematic version was so awful; such a waste of great movie stars.  They deserved better in what should've been a great cinematic version of a great novel.

Gerard

Title: Re: OT<Woman in Black
Post by: Patti Feinberg on February 14, 2015, 11:21:21 PM

Watched first half of "Ghost Story".....I reallllllllyyyyyyy didn't remember ANY part of it.  [snow_huh]

But, during today, small bits of it seem familiar (like looking at your friend's photo album 5-6 times, if that makes sense  [snow_shocked] ).

I'll watch 2nd half tonight.

Patti

PS...as soon as I put it in, pause, go to IMDb & looked up the phenomenal actors.

Two tidbits I doubt you'd know:
1) John Housemann was besties with Orson Wells; had a hand in "Citizen Kane"
2) Fred Astaire is the first entry in IMDb, THEY put that info in their listing of Fred A!

Patti

Title: Re: OT<Woman in Black
Post by: Gothick on February 15, 2015, 05:21:10 AM

The 1989 Woman in Black is a wonderful film.  It includes one of the scariest scenes I've ever known.  I literally jumped when it happened.

I have yet to see the Radcliffe adaptation.

G.

Title: Re: OT<Woman in Black
Post by: Patti Feinberg on February 19, 2015, 04:05:21 AM

Gothick, if you hear of it being released as a Reg I DVD, please let us know. The Daniel Radcliff is okay. Again, though, I thought I'd heard of WIB II already being out.

I just finished "Ghost Story" (the other night, power kept going out & in, out & in, I didn't want to risk the disc getting jammed/scratched).

And, uh, BTW, we're here in GA under a severe freeze; it'll be about 12' tomorrow am (not including the windchill).

So glad I bought "Ghost Story", for anyone wondering, for $10/includes shipping, it's worth it (no extras though).

Patti

Title: Re: OT<Woman in Black
Post by: arashi on March 20, 2015, 05:03:52 AM

The Woman in Black, the original adaption, is available to watch somewhere in it's entirety on youtube. I started watching it at work a few weeks ago and was getting really creeped out sitting at my desk in the middle of the day! I need to finish it! I can't find it there anymore, but I downloaded it before it could disappear. Anyone that wants to check it out I'll be happy to post it for download on my website as it's not available for purchase.

I haven't read Ghost Story yet, but I actually enjoyed the movie a lot. I'll grab the book tonight on my kindle if it's available.

Title: Re: OT<Woman in Black
Post by: Patti Feinberg on March 21, 2015, 06:30:54 PM

Arashi, thank you very much for your generous offer.

I really do not like YouTube, but, much more than that, I like to OWN the discs.

Patti

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Actually, here's a question; if Arashi, (and many others) can upload a movie on to a 'public domain' (I don't know if YT is 'public'), would he be able to copy it onto a DVD, legally. If he can watch whenever, wherever he wants (and by no means is he the only one), what's the difference in putting it onto a DVD?

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Title: Re: OT<Woman in Black
Post by: Midnite on March 21, 2015, 09:42:05 PM

Quote from: Patti on March 21, 2015, 06:30:54 PM

...can upload a movie on to a 'public domain' (I don't know if YT is 'public'),

A work is in the public domain because it's not protected by copyright, regardless of whether it's on YouTube (or anywhere on the internet).

Quote

would he be able to copy it onto a DVD, legally. If he can watch whenever, wherever he wants (and by no means is he the only one), what's the difference in putting it onto a DVD?

Legally, no, unless you have express permission to copy it or it falls under fair use, and copying something for one's personal use and enjoyment does not fall under the fair use exception.

Title: Re: OT<Woman in Black
Post by: Patti Feinberg on March 22, 2015, 10:16:34 PM

So he could legally burn to DVD FOR HIMSELF ONLY?

Could I? (Not that I'd know how....)

Patti

Title: Re: OT<Woman in Black
Post by: Patti Feinberg on March 22, 2015, 10:20:20 PM

Arashi, as long as it's legal, I would appreciate it if you downloaded it.

Then, separate instructions how I would get to it. Are there commercials?

Thanks,

Patti

Title: Re: OT<Woman in Black
Post by: Midnite on March 23, 2015, 05:19:10 PM

Quote from: Patti on March 22, 2015, 10:16:34 PM

So he could legally burn to DVD FOR HIMSELF ONLY?

Could I?

In absence of exceptions listed in Reply #10, no.

Title: Re: OT<Woman in Black
Post by: Uncle Roger on March 25, 2015, 03:17:22 PM

Ghost Story was one of my favorite books. The movie was a major disappointment. It condenses the narrative and dumbs it down severely. Fred Astaire, Melvyn Douglas, Douglas Fairbanks and the other veteran actors are fine, as always. Craig Wasson is miscast and lacking in charisma.

I'm with you guys about The Shining. It is a very intense book, with lots of fascinating incidents. The movie is very claustrophobic and seems to be largely about cabin fever. Kubrick jettisons so much of the supernatural elements that when something does happen, it clashes with the rest of the material. And, maybe it's just me, but there was absolutely no suspense watching Jack Nicholson go crazy, as he seems more than half way there anyway.

Title: Re: OT<Woman in Black
Post by: Patti Feinberg on March 29, 2015, 05:44:38 PM

If I bought the VHS (there's no Regions for VHS, right), couldn't I have a friend transfer it from VHS to DVD?
I'd still be buying it; I will in fact make copies of music or movies to watch in other parts of my house, or on vacation, in the car, etc.
Patti

Title: Re: OT<Woman in Black
Post by: Gerard on March 29, 2015, 06:07:56 PM

Uncle Roger, Stephen King was also vastly disappointed with what Kubrick did to his work (although he said it eventually "grew on" him).  King remembers one time when he was up early, shaving, and the phone rang.  He answered it.  "Is this Stephen King?"  "Yes."  "This is Stanley Kubrick.  Do you believe in god?"  "Um, I guess so."  "Okay."  And then Kubrick hung up.  All King could think of was:  "My god, what's he doing to my book?"  King eventually did his own screenplay in the 90's which was turned into a TV miniseries, much more closely reflecting his novel.  It wasn't great, but it was so much better than Kubrick's bizarre rendition.

Gerard

Title: Re: OT<Woman in Black
Post by: Uncle Roger on March 29, 2015, 08:25:44 PM

Very true, Gerard. The TV adaptation of The Shining was a more faithful adaptation of the book but there was a lot more to be desired. For whatever reason, very few of Stephen King's works have been successfully adapted to film or TV.

Title: Re: OT<Woman in Black
Post by: dom on March 29, 2015, 08:42:55 PM

Patti, if you can't buy it/if it isn't produced in the format you want it in, it's illegal, period, no if, and or buts.

Title: Re: OT<Woman in Black
Post by: Gerard on March 30, 2015, 12:47:03 AM

You're right, Uncle Roger, about King's (who is great DS fan and watched it in its initial run) incredible works being easily adaptable to celluloid.  He has even admitted it.  There have been some exceptions.  The Stand, done as a miniseries (originally slated as a feature film, but there was no way to take a 1,000+ page epic and do it justice in two hours, so it was moved to a many-hours TV miniseries) was brilliant.  A friend of mine, from when I lived in Las Vegas, was among the thousands of extras in the climactic scene on Fremont Street between God and Satan.  Another friend of mine was also in the panic scene of thousands of Kansas City residents running and trying to find shelter as the missiles approached in The Day After.  And I know this is considered blasphemy, but the '02 made-for-TV version of Carrie was the best adaptation.  Yes, I loved the DePalma '76 version - it's a classic, but I think the '02 version topped it.  Other than the final scene, it included virtually everything from the novel (updated, of course, to 2002 - Carrie doesn't do research about her "condition" with books in the school library; she uses a library computer and the internet).  Oh, and I have a connection with that.  The movie was filmed (even though set in Maine, like DS), basically along the northwest coast of America and Canada.  If someone hasn't been there, it all looks like Maine.  One of the schools they used for the prom scene was a high school I use to teach at. 

Gerard

Title: Re: OT<Woman in Black
Post by: Patti Feinberg on March 30, 2015, 04:48:24 AM

Two different things:

First, and I don't know if it's possible:

My laptop DOESN'T have a CD/DVD slot, but, IF it did, can one 'copy' a movie onto a USB/flash drive (to take on a trip/less space)? I have no idea how to do this; space, sound, etc, but, if I've bought a movie/CD, I can't make a copy of it FOR ME (no, I do not copy stuff for friends, and I was fairly young when I stopped (including telling my friends/family, no, don't make a copy for me, the worker is worthy of his/her hire).


WELL, AS USUAL, I TAPPED ON SOMETHING THAT MADE MY SECOND PARAGRAPH, 'GO AWAY',,,,THEN, I'M IN THE MIDDLE OF MY ABOVE PARAGRAPH. THIS HAPPENS ON HERE ALMOST ALL THE TIME. GRRR!

Title: Re: OT<Woman in Black
Post by: KMR on March 31, 2015, 12:41:11 AM

Quote from: Uncle Roger on March 29, 2015, 08:25:44 PM

For whatever reason, very few of Stephen King's works have been successfully adapted to film or TV.

I think the main reason is that King's works (his novels and novellas, at least) are primarily character-driven works. The most essential aspect in a King novel is what's happening inside the protagonist's mind. This is King's greatest strength, and what makes his novels so successful. The heart of King's storytelling is very hard to translate to film, and most of the movies just focus on the plot, and therefore fail.

(This is also a key to why I don't care for most of King's short stories, since they don't have the time to delve deep into the character, and end up being more superficial and plot-driven.)

Title: Re: OT<Woman in Black
Post by: Patti Feinberg on June 03, 2015, 02:40:04 AM

Arashi,

Were you ever able to find "Ghost Story" on Kindle?

Patti

Title: Re: OT<Woman in Black
Post by: Patti Feinberg on October 01, 2015, 07:19:35 PM

Just checked.
There's a 1999 DVD version, for the low low price of $99.99!!

Yeah, k,

Patti