HUGO (2011)

[Larry's 66 Diner]

An outstanding, awesome film! Definitely a must-see for the entire family! There is no graphic violence, nudity, or foul language in the film at all, simply a couple minor innuendos, but that's it.

The storyline revolves around young Hugo Cabret (Asa Butterfield) and the legendary French filmmaker, Georges Méliès (played by Ben Kingsley). Director Martin Scorsese delivered a powerful film to today's audiences, sharing his own passion for the legendary filmmaker, as well as silent films in general. I certainly hope this movie inspires many of today's audiences to discover and watch a silent film, and develop a passion for this lost art form! Silent film is history! Watch for scenes from THE GENERAL, THE KID, SAFETY LAST, A TRIP TO THE MOON, and a host of other silent film references and concepts.

[Midge]

Thanks for the review, Larry. Hugo sounds like a must-see for any silent movie fans, and certainly for Scorsese fans. Al doesn't like to go to the movies any more, but maybe I can persuade him to see this one with me because he does enjoy silent movies and has been to the San Francisco Silent Movie Festival with me a couple of times.

[Larry's 66 Diner]

I'm sure you both will enjoy it immensely! You will also likely recognize all the references.

[dvdjunkie]

Larry, did you see this film in 3-D or in just the regular 2-D?

We went to see this as a family, including our four-year-old and seven-year-old grandkids, and the six of us watched, in 3-D, with amazement at how well this film was made and what a great story it told.

The tributes to the silent movie era are fabulous, and all the characters in the film are very well cast. This is a movie that I will take pleasure in adding to my collection when it comes to Blu-ray next year.

I cannot say enough good things or recommend this film more highly that just to say it should be seen by everyone who wants to spend a couple of hours being fully entertained by the magic of motion pictures. Whether it is in 3-D or regular 2-D, it can be enjoyed by all.

[tclion]

yes bill we saw the 2D I really liked the movie cause I couldn't predict what was coming next. Just as I thought I had figured out what was going to happen the whole thing changed... Really kept me on my toes. the thing i liked most was ont one single curse word and not one single sexual innundeo in the whole move..

[rmichaelpyle]

Margaret and I went to see this film yesterday, and we both absolutely LOVED it! We saw it in 3-D, too, which, I must admit, gave me just a slight headache. Nevertheless, the movie was marvelous - and in the true sense of THAT word - it was full of marvels! I'd love to see it again.

I "read" the book a few years ago. The book is not actually a reading book, per se. It's a graphically illustrated book. I'd never seen a graphic book before, and this one - which is "written" for ten years and up - is marvelous even for adults, believe me! Obviously, Martin Scorcese was taken by it, too! He did a magnificent job of translating the pictures in the book to the screen! In fact, I was simply amazed.

Great film. Should be seen by any movie lover - period! There aren't a lot of things like this at the theaters these days. So much c-r-a-p I nearly can't stand it! But then - along comes this! Wow!

[Larry's 66 Diner]

It was great in 2D; I can only imagine what it would have been like in 3D. Bill or Michael, what is your input on the actual silent movie footage of Harold Lloyd, Charlie Chaplin, etc in 3D? I simply avoid watching 3D when possible because I hate paying that extra surcharge for that, and there is no way to duck or dodge it. :irate:

The next movie I hope to get the opportunity to see (if it ever comes to my area) is The Artist. :thumbsup:

[Midge]

Larry, I saw a story on our local news on The Artist, and it looks like an intriguing concept. Gene Wilder tried the idea of making a modern silent film comedy in the 1970's. I thought was a nice try but didn't quite work. If you or anyone else sees The Artist before I do, please post a review.

Hugo is showing at our neighborood theatre in regular D, and I have been trying to talk "Regular DH" into taking me. ;-)

[rmichaelpyle]

Dec 13, 2011 8:22:27 GMT -6 Larry's 66 Diner said:

Bill or Michael, what is your input on the actual silent movie footage of Harold Lloyd, Charlie Chaplin, etc in 3D? I simply avoid watching 3D when possible because I hate paying that extra surcharge for that, and there is no way to duck or dodge it.

I don't know anything about a 'surcharge'; going rate here is $13 per person except during the week when there are discounts for seniors. Nobody here in Indianapolis is showing the film in 2-D, curiously enough.

As for Chaplin, Lloyd, and others in 3-D: interestingly enough, when the prints were shown, they were shown in 2-D, as if you the watcher were seeing them shown on screen. NOW - on the other hand, I thought the most riveting - and I mean RIVETING - thing in the entire film was when they showed actual footage of returning WW I vets - not only in color (I don't think it was tinted; I think it was colorized, but I'm not certain) AND in 3-D. THAT was extraordinary!! And it was decidedly fascinating as a cinematic "trick". I didn't mind it at all...

[Larry's 66 Diner]

I think I kind of remember catching the color in that. Anyone who knows me knows that I detest and absolutely loathe colorizing a film that was meant to be in glorious black and white. :irate: However, I didn't mind that little vignette being in color at all. :thumbsup:

[Midge]

I finally got to see Hugo at our neighborhood theater in 3D. (Yes, there was a surcharge for the 3D showings. The 2D showings were at the regular price.)

It was a wonderful movie, a children's story to be sure but there was enough in it to keep the adults entertained. The visual effects were mesmerizing, and the clips from historic silent films showed them off beautifully. Ben Kingsley was especially memorable as Georges Mélies, but all the cast was fine. If I hadn't known that this was a Martin Scorsese film, I would have sworn that it was directed by Spielberg.

One minor quibble: I thought the station inspector (Sacha Baron Cohen) was written a bit too much like a cartoon villain policeman with too much slapstick and other comic business. The kids will love it, though. This criticism is no reflection on Mr. Cohen but only on the way the character is written. I thought Cohen did a very good job with what he was given to do. The funniest scene in the whole movie, I thought, was when he was practicing his smiles hoping to charm the young lady flower seller. That scene was almost Chaplinesque.

I especially enjoyed the soundtrack. Howard Shore did a masterful job of blending classical music, period recordings and authentic-sounding new compositions to conjure up the atmosphere of early 20th Century Paris. I only wish that the music credits had gone by a little more slowly so I could have identified all the different songs that were used.

[Larry's 66 Diner]

At first, I kind of felt the same way too, Midge, but with most of the rest of the movie having serious overtones, I think it needed to have a little bit of comic relief, and that was the perfect opportunity to provide it. Being a bit Chaplinesque was probably the ideal way in doing so.

When he "fell" for the flower girl is when I finally started feeling for his character and we got the opportunity to see he was human too. :thumbsup:

[dvdjunkie]

We are all in luck, as the movie "Hugo" is being released on DVD and Blu-ray Tuesday, February 28th.

I cannot wait to add this film to my collection. And two days after the Academy Awards, it should be taken into consideration that if it wins "Best Picture" the shelves will be bare within minutes of the doors opening at Best Buy.

"The Artist" is coming to DVD and Blu-ray the last week in March, so start saving your money to get that one for your collection, I know that I will be adding it to mine for sure.

In January Paramount released a totally restored version of "Wings" on DVD and Blu-ray, which I picked up immediately. Amazing how it looks in Blu-ray, and the bonus documentary on the "Restoration of a Classic" is 80 minutes of pleasure to watch.

[Ktrek]

Unfortunately I did not get to see this wonderful film in the theater but my wife did buy the Blu-Ray. I heard such praise for the film felt it would be one we would enjoy owning. My collecting has slowed done quite a bit since the prostate cancer diagnosis last year. The uncertainty of the future does that to man. Can't take them with me as they say.

Kevin

[Midge]

Ktrek, I am very sorry to hear about your diagnosis and hope that the treatments will be successful. A movie like Hugo might be just the thing to lift your spirits.

[Ktrek]

Apr 6, 2012 2:41:28 GMT -6 Midge said:

Ktrek, I am very sorry to hear about your diagnosis and hope that the treatments will be successful. A movie like Hugo might be just the thing to lift your spirits.

Thanks for your comment Midge! I think things will be OK. It was early stage and the treatment at that stage was curable in the 90 plus percentile but we never know what the future holds. I just take it one day at a time and pray the Lord keeps me under the shelter of His wings.

Kevin

[Midge]

I'm glad to hear that you caught it early and that the prognosis is good.