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Re: The Classics -- Films, books, etc

Posted: Thu Jan 29, 2009 12:29 am
by dimber
fanMNM wrote:Dimber...

I think you explained that really well! I agree...

Some people tend to believe that a book isn't a classic until it's been cannonized...but I think that it should be based on the amoutn of time it's stood as a favorite among readers...same with movies!
I agree with you about this. Academics and critics tend to consider only what has been already included in the canon but then, again, it depends upon a lot of things what you consider canonized or not. For example, Tolkien is considered a classic in the States and in the UK. In Italy he's just dismissed as a minor author: I had to change my research project to get into the PhD program.
I think the time test is definitely the most effective one for music, books and films.

xXBeSafeXx It's always like that...my English teacher at highschool used to criticise a lot my old-fashioned taste in both music and books. Unbelievable, a teacher!!! :o Never mind what they say to you, just go on and read what you enjoy, either classics or not...reading must be, first of all, a pleasure.
For example, I've never read the Russian novelists and I'm not ashamed...I never had to for study reasons and I found their prose too "heavy" for my taste. I don't think there is a point in reading something just because everybody says that's a classic.

Talking about music, good old Frank is definitely a classic. I love his songs and his voice was so amazing!
I think another classic is..............THE BEATLES!!! There is another thread totally devoted to the Beatles but there are only three or four of us :( I think they are the best. In their discography you can find all genres, all types of songs...you never get tired!!!

Re: The Classics -- Films, books, etc

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 4:11 pm
by fanMNM
I agree with you that Russian literature is kinda heavy...I still have Anna Karenina (did I spell that right? lol) and am trying to get through it. And I do think it is interesting how different regions around the world recognize authors, works of art, music, etc, so differently...

So what is everyone's favorite classic book, movie and song/singer?

Re: The Classics -- Films, books, etc

Posted: Fri Jan 30, 2009 5:41 pm
by debussygirl
My favorite book is Persuasion by Jane Austen, but I don't think I can say a favorite movie or musician. But I think my favorite classic song is Someone to Watch Over Me.

Re: The Classics -- Films, books, etc

Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 4:51 am
by dimber
My favourite book is with no doubt the Lord of the Rings trilogy by J. R. R. Tolkien. It's a universal book, you can find practically everything in it...I keep re-reading it over and over again!!! I will even marry on Bilbo's birthday :lol:

Regarding music, definitely The Beatles. Again, their discography is a mix of the music genres I love most...absolutely amazing.

It's more difficult to pick up a favourite classic movie because it really depends on the mood. I guess BBC's Pride and Prejudice and Sar Wars would be among my favourite regardless my mood ;)

Re: The Classics -- Films, books, etc

Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 1:05 pm
by fanMNM
I have to confess a hatred for the book The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka...

I don't have any idea how people decided this is a book that should be considered a classic that should be studied for years...ugh! I had to read it for a World Lit class and it killed me to get thru. Truly awful and I didn'tg et anything from it...

Re: The Classics -- Films, books, etc

Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 8:40 pm
by addictedbooklover
I haven't read any classics except Jane Eyre, which I enjoyed even if it took me ages to read and every second page there was a word I didn't understand.
I have watched lots of movie adaptions of classics, especially Jane Austen ones.
Oh, if Anne of Green Gables is a classic then I've read two

Re: The Classics -- Films, books, etc

Posted: Sat Jan 31, 2009 9:03 pm
by maddy<3twilight
Wizard of Oz... :lol:

Re: The Classics -- Films, books, etc

Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 9:25 pm
by debussygirl
Today in math my teacher was making some point and then said, "As Shakespeare's Julius Caesar would say, "Y tu...'" and then I said "Brutus". A lot of the people in my class looked at me weird and I would say about more than half of them did not know that line. And I'm in an honors class. I mean, I'm not Shakespeare buff, but COME ON!!! Some lines you just know.
I think it's sad that some of the classics are dying these days.

Re: The Classics -- Films, books, etc

Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 10:54 pm
by fanMNM
debussygirl....WOW!! The idea of that many people not recognizing that line is crazy to me!! I guess I just always thought it was one of the more recognizable quotes...even if you hadn't read it, most people know where it comes from and could finish it, like you did....

I swear, I'm going to make my kids watch and read all the classics so that at least some of tomorrow's generation remembers!! LOL

Re: The Classics -- Films, books, etc

Posted: Tue Feb 03, 2009 10:58 pm
by debussygirl
Oh, and I posted this already on the Audrey Hepburn thread, but...
I had to dress up for Audrey Hepburn for school once, and as far as the outfit and the hair I looked just like her. So first off, most people didn't know who I was except for one girl. I wasn't too worried then, I'm nowhere near as pretty as Audrey. But then I tell them who I am and the say, "Who's that?" I said, "She was in My Fair Lady, Sabrina, Roman Holiday, Breakfast at Tiffany's..."
Then one person said, "Breakfast at Tiffany's? Did they get that from the song?"
:shock: :shock: :shock:
I swear, my generation needs some culture!