I just saw The Green Mile and I have to say that despite the times I flinched and closed my eyes...I loved it. This movie will take you through every emotion you own in the space of three hours. It left me totally exhausted and pensive. There is a bit of yukky violence (particularly in one scene) so I wouldn't recommend this for young children. But if you don't walk out, the rest of the movie is truly wonderful. Here's a tip: it's three hours so don't get the Mammoth Size Coke.

Linda, thanks so much for reviewing this movie. I don't think you can go far wrong with Tom Hanks but I'm gald that you confirmed it. The promos for this movie really caught my attention, I might have to crack loose with $7.00 and actually see it on the BIG screen.
Thanx again.

-JM-

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Growing older but not up…

Thanks Linda! I read the books and loved them. I have been planning to see the movie, but haven't gone yet. I know four other people who have seen it, and their review agrees with yours. None of them had read the books though. Did you? So often a movie doesn't live up to the book it came from. As JM said though, with Tom Hanks in it, you can't go far wrong.

nope, sorry. I didn't read the books. I hope the movie lives up to the book. I would like to read the books now because there is one thing in the movie that was a bit odd and I'd like to see how it was dealt with in the book. (the "curing" thing, for those of you who've read it.) Tom Hanks really is such an amazing actor (talk about someone full of surprises) but the whole cast was wonderful. Even if you hate the story (which I personally can't imagine), it is also a tremendous character study of several different people. I would love to have a Film as Lit class and have to write a paper on this movie. It is packed full of stuff to talk about. When was the last time a movie made you laugh, cry, get angry, get hopeful, get relieved, and feel truly touched? I am not really one to get emotional at movies, but this one changed all that.
(I think the last time I cried at a movie was...Dead Poets' Society...and how long ago was that?!)

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...enjoying the journey...

I loved Dead Poet's Society as well Linda, so much so that I bought the video. Robin Williams is another 'sure to please' actor.

-JM-

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Growing older but not up…

[This message has been edited by JollyMon (edited 12-18-1999).]

Gosh, I loved "Dead Poets' Society" also! As for how the "curing" was handled, I don't know what the movie did, but reading the book it seemed easily transferable to film. The part I wondered about was the mouse. He had almost a starring role in the book, and I cannot picture how they make it real in the movie. (hard to talk about this without giving things away) I like alot of King's earlier works, "Salems Lot" being my all time favorite horror, but some of the later books left me disinterested. Most seem predictable and the same old stuff. "The Green Mile" was a refreshing change. It was not the typical horror of King, but rather just a good story. Also, the characters were so well defined, that I could form images of them in my mind. It was a very "visual" set of books. I not only could picture them, but I came to care for some of them as well, if you know what I mean.
It's too bad that King may never write again. I like to hope that he will.
stjerne

the mouse has a starring role...and you would not believe it.

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...enjoying the journey...

The movie was very faithful to the book except for a few small variations. The movie really brings the characters to life esp. Percy.

I saw the movie last night and I am still thinking about it. I haven't seen a movie that pulled at every single emotion and really stirred me like this one did. Three hours seemed to fly...I never even thought to look at my watch! The acting was superb! All the actors were excellent, even the smaller roles. I really, really, really enjoyed this movie!!!!

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"It's never too late...just do it!"

I saw "The Green Mile" and loved it. I am not a fan of Steven Kings horror stories, but I would go see "Mile" again. I also loved "The Shawshank Rememption". It is another story by Steven King. It was taken from the book of short stories called "Different Seasons". The movie was made from the story called "Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Rememption". It is also a prision story, but totally different than "Mile". Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman star. I would suggest that you rent it and let me know what you think.

Shawshank Redemption is one of my favorite movies! Another outstanding story with excellent acting! Everyone should see both of these movies!

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"It's never too late...just do it!"

Ten or twenty years from now, there won't be many movies that people will remember from 1999. This one they will. In a time when most movie studios are trying to sell tickets with cheap shock value, this is a movie that really stands out. It's about the preciousness of human life. In a jaded world we all need to be reminded of this from time to time.

The acting and character development are absolutely first rate.
Hank's performance is at least as good as anything he's ever done. If he doesn't get the nod on Oscar night, it'll only be due to the Acadamy's prevailing "two and out" mentality. I'll bet dollars to doughnuts that this film gets at least one supporting actor nomination, maybe two. Wouldn't that be interesting?

As one of the previous posters said this is not a film for children. There were a couple of scenes where I couldn't help but look away. If you like good movies, switch off the computer and go see this. You won't be disappointed!

I finally got to see this movie this past weekend and I would have to agree with everything that's been said to this point.

As I was leaving the theater I heard someone who was seated behind me saying that the ending in the book was nothing like the ending of the movie. Can anyone tell me how the two endings differed?? It would seem to me that if they differed much, you would be left with a whole different feeling towards this story.

-JM-

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Growing older but not up…

grrrr. I still haven't seen the movie. As soon as I do, I can tell you the difference in endings JM, if you don't hear it from someone else first. Gee, I'd hate to see a different ending than the book had though.

Just saw this last night. I just want to know... what took me so long! This movie was fabulous. Everything good said so far I agree with. The 'healings' were just a little different from the book, but I think more effective for the big screen. I don't remember the book ending very well (it's been way too long since I read them), so I'll have to try and dig them up to see how it differed from the movie.

I rate this one a 5 hanky movie. Definitely go see it on the big screen before it leaves the theatres.

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Silver Moonsong
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Man did not weave the web of life, he is merely a strand in it, whatever he does to the web, he does to himself.
---Chief Seattle

Please, y'all, don't discuss the ending of this (or any movie) in this forum. It can ruin it for someone who still hasn't seen the movie and wants to enjoy it the same way you did.

It's better if we don't have any major "spoilers" in the forum - it's not fair to someone who doesn't want to know.

If you want to discuss endings, you can do it through email - and ONLY if that person agrees that they want to know.

Thanks bunches!!!

Finally rented this and watched it last night. As a Little House on the Prairie fan, I wanted to see Dabs Greer in a more recent role.

Sorry to those who think otherwise, but this is one of the longest, most drawn out movies I've seen in a long time. It was so sllllllooooowwww in places, you just wanted to scream! More than once, I wanted to just turn the thing off and do something else.

It was also fairly predictable. Everything that happened was just as you'd expect. Even "the scene" was fairly easy to predict. You knew something of that nature was going to happen, just because of the individuals involved. Actually, I was more surprised that the other "scenes" weren't as violent; from what I've read in the past, they typically are. One of the reasons that method isn't used anymore - too violent and distressing for the onlookers.

I've talked to people who adore this movie and people who've hated it. I guess I'd have to say that I'm glad I saw it, because it is something that so many people discuss. I do want to be able to know what they're talking about. But, it's not one that I'll be seeing again or recommending as a "must see."

Lin... now that you've seen the over-hyped movie, if you're up to it, try the actual book.
Yes... it's Stephen King, but not written in the same 'horror' vein as his reputation warrants.
It's worth the read. Good story, and much better than the Hollywood version.

Of course, I'm biased... I like King's books.

Valerie

So, I am correct in saying that this really was over-hyped, huh? Glad to know it wasn't just me!

Is the book really better? Are you sure? 'cause, I'm not really sold on this story at the moment! Maybe I'll give it a try at some point.

The thing is, I really do like Tom Hanks. There are very few movies that he's been in that I haven't liked. And, the actors in this movie are all ones that I can tell were talented. So, I don't think the acting was the problem. It was just the storyline, I guess. And, I do have to say that Mr. Jingles certainly was cute! True talent there.

Again... I'm biased... but I DO feel the book out-distances the film.
Hollywood has a way of emphisizing the wrong parts of the story.
Granted, the screenplay was written from the book, but things change
slightly in the 'conversion'. I'm certainly not suggesting rushing out to the
bookstore and grabbing a copy... just that if you've got the time, I think you'd
enjoy the book better.

Yes... the movie was over-hyped. Most 'based on a novel by Stephen King' are.
And most suffer in the translation. I can think of only two movies that held up
against the books... Misery and Shawshank. Stand By Me was good too, but the film version is
soooo much diferent than the book (called 'The Body'), it's too hard to compare the two.

Ah, I have the film sitting looking at me waiting to be viewed..... ah well at least I won't expect too much from it.

I'm another that has read the novel and seen the movie and I really thought that both were really good.There are some differences between them,but nothing too major.I've just watched 'Shawshank' again and stlll think that is also another great movie,unfortunatly it is so long since I read the short story that it was based on that I can't remember what I thought of it in comparison .

I loved the Green Mile. Hanks was great adn even though the ending was unbeliveable it was still a great film.