Hottoceame The Age of Commercialism

Mjeteconer Just perfect...

Baseshment I like movies that are aware of what they are selling... without [any] greater aspirations than to make people laugh and that's it.

SpunkySelfTwitter It’s an especially fun movie from a director and cast who are clearly having a good time allowing themselves to let loose.

machei I give it the two points for being pretty and making the attempt, but the end result was just so bad when considered as a whole. The first hour had me excited that they may have gotten it right, the next had me squirming in discomfort, and the last had me sorely disappointed in a way that I haven't been since the movie adaptation of "A Prayer for Owen Meany"... and that was at least a little forgivable in that Irving had the foresight to disassociate Simon Birch with the book as much as possible.This is NOT the book. This actually insults the book pretty heavily. It might have been better if they'd called it by another name and said it was "Inspired By..." or something, because saying this is based on the book is selling a bill of goods that doesn't deliver. It is about as loosely based as one could imagine.Honestly, why can't producers make a GOOD version of the Arthurian legend? Game of Thrones has proved it could be done. But this steaming pile, along with the blandly mediocre "Excalibur" seem to suggest no one is willing to take the source material and make a great movie out of an equally great novel.I hold out hope that someone steps up and takes another crack at MZB's book--it's well worth telling right.

mamaharmon ...you will probably NOT enjoy the movie adaptation. Although the movie starts out well enough and I could easily ignore some of the exclusions to the story with the understanding that it was only three hours long, the changes to the plot in the last hour infuriated me. It almost seemed like they took the concept (a woman's report of the King Arthur legend) and glossed it over for a cheap rendition of the classic tale. Much of the personal strife experienced by Morgaine was glossed over and the ridiculous piousness and prejudice of Gwenevere was missing completely. One of the most moving parts of the book for me was Viviaine's demise and it was re-scripted to make it "idiot proof". The acting of the ladies particularly Anjelica Huston and Juliana Margolis was very good but the male ensemble was weak and unbelievable to me. Also one of the starkest omissions was the circumstances surrounding Gwenevere's betrothal. (no horses? what on earth?!?) Anyway to end my rambling it wasn't a great adaptation of the book, but stand alone it wasn't a terrible movie...

vjcoletti I want to say that I have read the Book "The Mysts of Avalon" and loved it. I also watched the movie and loved it. If you loved the book love the book, but do not think this movie is bad because it doesn't follow the book. The key points are there as are the emotions of the women who forged a legend. Anjelica Houston leads an ensemble cast as the retelling of Arthur and Camelot's story is told from the lips of its main villain. While it lacks the book's web of stories it envelopes you in the safety of the Arthurian Legend we all know and love and also paints the tails and tribulations going through that time. The music and the costumes are impeccable as the actresses give Oscar worthy performances as the ladies of Avalon. A must see for any fan of the legend. If you like Marion's book it does not necessarily mean you will not like the movie, it just means you will have to think outside the box.

barbrybacki This is an intriguing look at the King Arthur legend and all its spin-offs. I believe the movie was based on a book of the same name, which purported to tell the story from the women's point of view. This view appears to include more magic and goddess culture than the standard version, and is quite an interesting interpretation, lending a "behind the scenes" feeling to the various plot twists. Angelica Huston is marvelous as the powerful Lady of the Lake, supported by an excellent cast (although I confess at times I found it a bit difficult to recall the players without a program). Lovely sets, costumes, hairstyles are icing on the cake.