Last Movie You Watched

[71 dB]

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Remo Williams: The Adventure Begins (Guy Hamilton, 1985)

Bond veteran Guy Hamilton directs well this silly, but quite entertaining, warmhearted and even "bullet dodging" action-adventure from the 80's. I liked the slow pace of this movie and how it develops gradually.

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Before We Vanish - Sanpo Suru Shinryakusha (Kiyoshi Kurosawa, 2017)

"Pulse" -director studies the worth of humanity in his take on the theme of aliens taking over human bodies to invade the Earth. Darkly comedic sci-fi is combined with edgy action. This is great filmmaking. Mostly very slow paced with occational well executed action scenes spiced with ideas. Good music. Very good camerawork. The best movie I have seen since Gaspar Noé's awesome "Climax" in May.

[Madiel]

Yeah, just names, but English names. Surely you understand some people are simpletons and are put off by names in foreign language and many people can't even pronounce the names correctly! Would you get excited by a movie named "Uuno Turhapuro" ? If that 1973 Finnish movie was shown in Australia, do you think it would have been marketed by it's original name? Uuno Turhapuro is the name of the main character of the film so by your own logic there's zero reason to "translate" it to for example "Onslow Wasteland" ? (turhapuro means "useless arroyo" and is a fictional comic surname for a comic character. Wasteland would be a proper translation in the spirit of the original name).

In the past Laurel and Hardy movies where considered kid's movies so it's not a wonder they thought "Pancake and Blimp" type of Finnish name is more attractive to kids than foreign names. Again, how attractive is "Ketonen ja Myllyrinne" to you?

I'm not claiming anything. I am just trying to make you understand why the movie got the name it got in Finnish market. I'm trying to expand your understanding and to realize how non-English countries need to come up with suitable names for anglo-American products of culture. Something a native English speaker living in an English speaking country may not be aware of. The translated names may not be great always, but that's something we need to do in our non-English market.

Maybe they thought the movie would do better if it was marketed as a prison escape movie even when it's actually about other things.

You've clearly lost sight of the fact that this started with me complaining about how a title was translated INTO English. Seriously, you're trying to paint me as some kind of cultural imperialist when the whole point was that English marketers should have just directly translated a perfectly workable Danish title. I watch lots of material that isn't in English, okay? Stop talking at me as if I've never had to consider the issue from the other side.

Nor, it seems, are you capable of distinguishing between fictional names intended to mean something and names that are just people's names. Or would you agree that John Brook is one of the greatest composers ever?

I suspect further conversation is pointless unless you get that one.

PS Also you've completely ignored Rita Hayworth... just a name, but an English name. You're busily arguing that Mr Laurel and Mr Hardy required translation but Ms Hayworth did not. They are all the names of real-life people, not fictional comic characters. They don't need translation for the same reason that we don't talk about John Brook.

[SimonNZ]

Third watch.

I recall we were discussing the early promise of Rian Johnson somewhere up thread.

[71 dB]

You've clearly lost sight of the fact that this started with me complaining about how a title was translated INTO English. Seriously, you're trying to paint me as some kind of cultural imperialist when the whole point was that English marketers should have just directly translated a perfectly workable Danish title. I watch lots of material that isn't in English, okay? Stop talking at me as if I've never had to consider the issue from the other side.

Nor, it seems, are you capable of distinguishing between fictional names intended to mean something and names that are just people's names. Or would you agree that John Brook is one of the greatest composers ever?

I suspect further conversation is pointless unless you get that one.

PS Also you've completely ignored Rita Hayworth... just a name, but an English name. You're busily arguing that Mr Laurel and Mr Hardy required translation but Ms Hayworth did not. They are all the names of real-life people, not fictional comic characters. They don't need translation for the same reason that we don't talk about John Brook.

For me this started when I wrote here what the Finnish title of The Shawshank Redemption is and you replied to it wondering about the box office in Finland (and Greece). I know nothing about any Danish title translated to English. My apologies if I have missinterpreted your position based on your replies to MY posts (I have not read your other posts). You certainly seemed to care a lot about how these titles are translated in Finland as if it affects your life in Australia. I have not given those names so please don't blame me. You think the names suck? Ok, maybe I feel the same way. It is what it is. What can you do?  Laurel and Hardy was marketed to kids. The Shawshank Redemption was marketed to older audience who are perhaps expected to know who Rita Hayworth is. I think the film did badly simply because people thought it is boring as fuck. That happened everywhere in the world regardless of how good name was given to it.

I mean comedic character, not comic. Sorry. I don't know who is this John Brook you are talking about.

[71 dB]

In a Better World



Danish winner of the Academy Award for Best Foreign Film. Pretty good, though I'm not sure it's that good. Though one particular scene did make me cry a bit.

It really, really annoys me when people create English language titles that are not even close to being a translation of the original. The movie is actually called "The Revenge". What would have been wrong with that as a title? Especially when it makes far more sense for the content and themes of the film.

So this is where it started for you.

[aligreto]

The Final Cut





In the future some people [those who can afford it] have an implant which records their life. At death this record is edited and that version is then how you will be remembered. The editor is called a cutter. Williams plays one such person who has a particular past incident which dominates his life. Through circumstances he is forced to face this issue. As ever, William's performance is great.

[Florestan]

I don't know who is this John Brook you are talking about.

I guess he means Johann (Sebastian) Bach but the analogy is rather far fetched.

I'm with you on Laurel & Hardy. Basically all non-English-speaking countries translated their names, usually in a rhymed manner and certainly much funnier sounding in the respective languages than Laurel & Hardy --- and that was the right thing to do in order to market the movies and make them popular, especially with kids (even simply pronouncing Stan & Bran, without seeing the actual movies, is already funny for a Romanian kid and they can memorize those names much easier than Laurel & Hardy which is absolutely dull and unhumorous.). Heck, Romanians even translated Abbott & Costello as Costică & Mitică (diminutives for the frequently used names Constantin and Dumitru) and they were hugely popular back then. Frankly, I don't understand the fuss about it.

[Madiel]

I guess he means Johann (Sebastian) Bach but the analogy is rather far fetched.

You think an analogy with translating a real person's name is far-fetched?

Laurel and Hardy are not names of characters. They are names of real live people. There's nothing far-fetched about asking why you would translate some people's names but leave others untouched. I suspect that if an English speaker insisted on translating your name instead of using the from you've had your whole life, you'd be a bit insulted.

Anyway I'm done with this.

[Florestan]

You think an analogy with translating a real person's name is far-fetched?

Laurel and Hardy are not names of characters. They are names of real live people. There's nothing far-fetched about asking why you would translate some people's names but leave others untouched.

Actually, the notion that their names were *translated* is false. Their movies (which had titles, btw, but I don't think anyone bothered to translate them, much less know the movies by their name) were based on two specific characters whose English names were immaterial to the actual action. The non-English names were not a *translation* of Laurel & Hardy (in Romanian that would be Laur & Duru) , but names assigned to the characters in the movies, either according to the local standards for fun names or relating to their physical features. Nobody, not even Laurel & Hardy themselves, ever objected to that widespread practice back then. Why it bothers you that miuch today is really beyond me.

I suspect that if an English speaker insisted on translating your name instead of using the from you've had your whole life, you'd be a bit insulted.

Go ahead, translate Andrei Mihăilă in English. I'm very curious what you'll come up with. The closest I can think of is Andrew Michaels. And if you want to call me Andrew, no problem at all, be my guest. Actually, ever since I went to school my friends have always called me Andy. You too can call me Andy if you wish.

[71 dB]

I guess he means Johann (Sebastian) Bach but the analogy is rather far fetched.

Oh. I didn't know "bach" means something in German language and I have to admit I didn't know even the English word "brook". I get it now, thanks 

I'm with you on Laurel & Hardy. Basically all non-English-speaking countries translated their names, usually in a rhymed manner and certainly much funnier sounding in the respective languages than Laurel & Hardy --- and that was the right thing to do in order to market the movies and make them popular, especially with kids (even simply pronouncing Stan & Bran, without seeing the actual movies, is already funny for a Romanian kid and they can memorize those names much easier than Laurel & Hardy which is absolutely dull and unhumorous.). Heck, Romanians even translated Abbott & Costello as Costică & Mitică (diminutives for the frequently used names Constantin and Dumitru) and they were hugely popular back then. Frankly, I don't understand the fuss about it.

Yeah and also it's not about "translating" the names as much as it's replacing the real names with funny descriptors of the characters. The movie "Dumb And Dumber" is not titled "Carrey & Daniels". Every Laurel & Hardy movie has it's own name*: Our Relations, Pardon Us, Way Out West etc. while "Laurel & Hardy" is the brand name just like "James Bond" or "Indiana Jones". "Laurel & Hardy" has been simply re-branded for non-English markets for the reason that "Laurel & Hardy" might be an uninteresting brand name for kids. "Ohukainen ja Paksukainen" is certainly much more interesting for Finnish kids.

Abbott and Costello is Abbott ja Costello in Finland: "Abbott ja Costello kohtaavat Tri Jekyllin ja Mr. Hyden" for example. My dad was a Abbott and Costello fan as far as I understand, but I'm not sure I have ever seen their movies...


* The non-English "translations" of those movie titles is a can of worms by itself! Here's some examples:

Berth Marks (1929) ---> Makuuvaunussa (in the sleeper trolley)
Below Zero (1930) ---> Iloiset Musikantit (happy mucisians)
Music Box (1932) ---> Muuttomiehet Pulassa (moving men in trouble)
Our Relations (1936)  ---> Merimiehiä ja Maakrapuja (sailors and landlubbers)
Way Out West (1937)  ---> Kaksi Kulkuria (two wanderers)
Flying Deuces (1939) ---> Muukalaislegioonan Monnit (rookies of/in the foreign legion)
A Chump at Oxford (1940) ---> Lorvista Lordiksi (from an idler to a Lord)
Great Guns (1941) ---> Rautahermoisia Ruutiukkoja (iron-nerved gunpowder geezers) see attached picture

You think an analogy with translating a real person's name is far-fetched?

Laurel and Hardy are not names of characters. They are names of real live people. There's nothing far-fetched about asking why you would translate some people's names but leave others untouched. I suspect that if an English speaker insisted on translating your name instead of using the from you've had your whole life, you'd be a bit insulted.

Anyway I'm done with this.

It's not so much about translating real names as it's using descriptive names instead the real names, Dumb & Dumber instead of Carrey & Daniels for example. We have "Ketonen ja Myllyrinne" -show in Finland, but in Australia it would certainly not be marketed as "Ketonen & Myllyrinne". The name of the show would be something like "Nordic Dudes Fumbling Around." and it would be totally fine! The Australian tv show "Doctor Doctor" is called "The Heart Guy" in the US and UK and "Sydänlääkärin syöksykierre" (cardiologist's downward spiral) in Finland.

[Florestan]

it's not about "translating" the names as much as it's replacing the real names with funny descriptors of the characters.
...

It's not so much about translating real names as it's using descriptive names instead the real names,

Precisely and exactly.. See my reply #30368.

The exact Romanian translation of Laurel & Hardy (Laur & Duru) is as dull and unfunny for a Romanian, especially a Romanian kid, as the English original names, not to mention it bears no relationship whatsoever to their respective characters. Is Hardy really hardy in the movies? Hard(l)y (pun). Is Laurel really deserving a laurel wreath? Hard(l)y too.

On the other hand, Stan & Bran immediately evokes for a Romanian a pair of characters whose names are funny and easy to remember, whose exploits are ridiculous, and you can't even tell who is the stupidest of the two. For the life of me I cannot understand what is wrong with that, it fits their characters to a tee.

The analogy with translating Johann Bach as John Brook is twofold far fetched: (1) non-English names for Laurel & Hardy are not translations proper, and (2) even if they were, this is the only instance of such a substitution being widely practiced and accepted, and logic tells us that one cannot infer a general rule from a single particular instance.

That being said, I know from personal experience what it means to be a contrarian just for the sake of it, so I can see where Madiel is coming from. 

[Todd]

Wow, posts about the merits and demerits of mistranslating the names Laurel and Hardy. 

Do Cheech and Chong next, or better yet, Key and Peele.

[Florestan]

Wow, posts about the merits and demerits of mistranslating the names Laurel and Hardy. 

You got it wrong, Try again. 

[71 dB]

Precisely and exactly.. See my reply #30368.

The exact Romanian translation of Laurel & Hardy (Laur & Duru) is as dull and unfunny for a Romanian, especially a Romanian kid, as the English original names, not to mention it bears no relationship whatsoever to their respective characters. Is Hardy really hardy in the movies? Hard(l)y (pun). Is Laurel really deserving a laurel wreath? Hard(l)y too.

On the other hand, Stan & Bran immediately evokes for a Romanian a pair of characters whose names are funny and easy to remember, whose exploits are ridiculous, and you can't even tell who is the stupidest of the two. For the life of me I cannot understand what is wrong with that, it fits their characters to a tee.

The analogy with translating Johann Bach as John Brook is twofold far fetched: (1) non-English names for Laurel & Hardy are not translations proper, and (2) even if they were, this is the only instance of such a substitution being widely practiced and accepted, and logic tells us that one cannot infer a general rule from a single particular instance.

That being said, I know from personal experience what it means to be a contrarian just for the sake of it, so I can see where Madiel is coming from. 

You posted your post while I was writing my post which took an hour to do I think. All those English translations for the Finnish titles took time to do properly. 

[SimonNZ]

Haywire

Fourth - or is it fifth - viewing of this guilty pleasure.

Much of the larger story is standard spy story stuff, but Soderbergh has put a large number of clever or fresh touches along the way.

Many critics said they didn't think Gina Carero's acting was up to the level of the stunt work she did herself in the brutal fight scenes, but I disagree.

[vandermolen]

The Way.
My neighbour lent me this DVD. I thought that it was both moving and uplifting. My brother had originally intended to walk this epic Spanish pilgrimage walk this summer but his plans were thwarted by Coronavirus crisis. Good soundtrack as well;

[SonicMan46]

Prince of Tides (1991) w/ Barbara Streisand, Nick Nolte, Blythe Danner et al; Streisand, Director - just replaced my old DVD w/ the Criterion BD shown below - based on Pat Conroy's book w/ changes described HERE - filmed in and around Beaufort, South Carolina w/ the beach house on nearby Fripp Island - I watch this film annually mainly for seeing the Carolina coastal atmosphere which we have visited often - for those interested in a visit (after COVID of course), see my Beaufort Travelogue from April 2018 in the iPad Forums.  Dave

P.S. Port Royal Shrimp Fleet (near Beaufort, SC) - photo by Dave Shipper who works out of Beaufort, SC and Savannah, Georgia - own a handful of his coastal photographs that I've framed myself.  Check the link if interested in a purchase (NOTE: not a friend, relative, or financial partner, just love his work!).

 

[vandermolen]

Prince of Tides (1991) w/ Barbara Streisand, Nick Nolte, Blythe Danner et al; Streisand, Director - just replaced my old DVD w/ the Criterion BD shown below - based on Pat Conroy's book w/ changes described HERE - filmed in and around Beaufort, South Carolina w/ the beach house on nearby Fripp Island - I watch this film annually mainly for seeing the Carolina coastal atmosphere which we have visited often - for those interested in a visit (after COVID of course), see my Beaufort Travelogue from April 2018 in the iPad Forums.  Dave

P.S. Port Royal Shrimp Fleet (near Beaufort, SC) - photo by Dave Shipper who works out of Beaufort, SC and Savannah, Georgia - own a handful of his coastal photographs that I've framed myself.  Check the link if interested in a purchase (NOTE: not a friend, relative, or financial partner, just love his work!).

 

Love the Shrimp Fleet photo.

[aligreto]

The Disaster Artist





This is a film based on true life i.e. the story behind the making of "The Room" which is apparently a cult film and apparently has also been called the worst film ever made. Although fact based one needs to suspend belief prior to watching it - yes, it is that weird.

[aligreto]

P.S. Port Royal Shrimp Fleet (near Beaufort, SC) - photo by Dave Shipper who works out of Beaufort, SC and Savannah, Georgia - own a handful of his coastal photographs that I've framed myself.  Check the link if interested in a purchase (NOTE: not a friend, relative, or financial partner, just love his work!).

There is some wonderful work on display there Dave. Thank you for the link.