Life of Pi

I so want my daughter to see the film. We used discuss fims like this endlessly but she only watches them on dvd now so I'll have to wait. Thank goodness for gransnet and film forums .

Thanks, Crimson, I copied and pasted it.

Nope; still not working. However that link was much more reasuring saying that the author used the name as a homage to all the previous Richard Parkers. Feel happier about that one.

nowiknow.com/richard-parker/

Damn; didn't work.

nowiknow.com/richard-parker/

Sorry that should be, "I thought that was right, though".

MORE SPOILER ALERTS - what do you mean 'someone told you why the tiger was called ...' it tells you in the beginning of the movie how the tiger got its name or is there more to it than that?

This is what I thought about the 2 different stories: the second story is the one that really happened, about the people who were on the lifeboat with the cook and Pi getting rid of the cook. The story that we watched during most of the film, was Pi coming to terms with his 'dark side' - Richard Parker - the premise being that we have to tame our demons (because we all have the capacity to be evil). The tiger walking away without a backward glance I've got to think about a bit more. I thought that we right though, it seemed fitting, there was no room for sentimentality at that point. Fascinating film.

I don't always agree with Mark Kermode but in this case he was spot on. Mind you, I nearly didn't go to see Pi because I'd been so disappointed with Beasts of the Southern Wild [it was good but not 'the best film since Pans Labyrinth' as Mark had implied].

Oh rats; forgot to put big SPOILER ALERT before I wrote that!!!!

I didn't pay much attention to the alternative ending at first until someone told me why the tiger was called Richard Parker. Then I felt it took all of the magic away, albeit only whilst I was sorting it all out in my head. Strangely enough, Mark Kermode doesn't mention that at all. My ultimate feeling is that all of us go through life seeing things how we want to see them not always as they really are. And when Richard Parker walks away from the boy without a backwards glance[my eyes are welling up as I write this ] maybe that is Pi telling us that he walked away from what had happened because we, as animals just like every other animal on the planet are here to survive and survive in any way that we have to? I do need to dip into the book, though, even though I'm sure it's not something I can read from beginning to end [far too heavy for me these days]. Hulk was on telly yesterday and I forgot to watch it although I caught a few glimpses of it whilst channel hopping. Didn't look very inspiring but Ang Lee said it helped him enormously when making Pi. And Sense and Sensibility is on next week so I'll make a point of watching that.

We went on impulse this afternoon to see The Life of Pi in our local 'art' cinema in 3D. It was stupendous. Not having read the book, I didn't quite know what to expect but we were completely immersed for the 2 hours (husband and I). I can't understand how anyone could have found the first bit boring, the whole first half of the film before they set off is enchanting. And after that it is nail biting! I'd be interested to hear people's views on the 2 versions of his story. Will watch the Mark Kermode interview too. What a brilliant vehicle for the CG effects.

Friday afternoons - double act with Simon Mayo, Ganja. It's the best thing to listen to if you love cinema, even if you don't always agree with Mark Kermode - though his recommendations are usually spot on.

* crimson* Thanks so much for the link to Mark Kermode. I never listen to Five Live but if he has a regular spot I must try and find it. I think DD Mark One does so I'll see if she can help.

Given that it's bound to win Oscars I would assume it will be back on in the cinemas for a short while [that usually happens]. It's certainly a film to see on the big screen if possible.

I love the book but going to have to wait for the film to come out on DVD. It finishes at our cinema this week and I've just seen the Hobbit. It'd be pushing my luck to do two whole films in one week, I suppose.

The 'alternative' story is playing on my mind. But, again it's all in the book and the story in that I shall, ultimately, believe what I want to believe. I loved the start of the film; it reminded me of a documentary I saw recently about a tiger that was filmed over many years on a reserve in India; she was often filmed wandering round old temples. I need to go and see the Hobbit soon but don't want Pi to be replaced in my mind. Just watched an interview with Ang Lee and, sadly, realised he will never watch the film that he created and get the pleasure from it that others have; he describes himself as a vehicle; a vessel with which to create the film but he can't watch it as a film.

As far as I remember, the island was in the book too and I seem to remember the 'alternative' story as well. I didn't find the first 20 minutes boring. Some of the scenes of the animals in the zoo park were idyllic. And it set up the story of Pi's relationship with Richard Parker.

Yes; The Ice Storm is a little gem of a film. Many years ago, after my marriage had broken up I went to Cornwall for a week..when I got back my son had bought me a new telly and a video of Crouching Tiger, because he knew how much I'd wanted to see it. I haven't seen Hulk, not thinking it was my kind of film and possibly not one of the directors best, and not sure that I've seen Ride with the Devil; may try to get a copy of that. There is only one thing bothering me about Life of Pi but I don't really want to mention it on here [there was a reference to something on a film forum]. In the book was the 'alternative' story mentioned or was it added on to the film as was, I believe the island? Glad your menfolk liked Brokeback Mountain; the S.O. wasn't all that taken with Pi, but I don't think he 'gets' some films that are a bit deep.

Seen Life of Pi in 3D on Saturday. Great effects loved the film apart from the first boring twenty minutes. The book is the same boring for the first third then gets to be a good read.

I have just returned from the Life of Pi. It is amazing...literally took my breath away and was so philosphical both in terms of the story and the beauty of the film making.

Crimson mentions that she thought Brokeback Mountain was more for women than men, but my husband also broke down in the wardrobe scene and thought i one of the best films ever, as did our three sons. We have all watched it several times and it is in our top ten of films (actually Ang Lee is in there three times in our list: Ride with the Devil, The Ice Storm and Brokeback Mountain) and now of course The Life of Pi.

He is a great story teller in films.

Read the book (a reading club choice) several years ago.Thoroughly enjoyed it.Looking forward to the film it looks amazing!

Crimson yes! That part tore me up too . Heath Ledger passed away during the making of 'The Imaginarium of Doctor Parnassus'. So sad!

Oh I'm so glad you loved it too! Yes; I want to see it in 3D as well. I also can't wait to [eventually] get the dvd and watch 'the making of'; I always find it so fascinating when they explain the process behind the realisation of something on such a scale.

'Stunning' is the word, crimson. The CGI was so convincing. I hope Ang Lee gets an Oscar for having the imagination to believe he could make a film out of the book and then being able to realise it in such a captivating film. And an Oscar, please, for the special effects. I too saw it in 2D but would love to see it over again in 3D.