The World Beyond BetterMost > The Culture Tent
Resurrecting the Movies thread...
silkncense:
I wasn't looking forward to United 93 but now I will definitely get it - Thanks for that.
Yesterday I saw Notes on a Scandal. I very much like the actresses & was looking forward to it. And, the acting was very good - but the film just left me cold. The actions of the characters didn't seem to fit exactly. Anyone else see it?
ednbarby:
I saw it yesterday, too. I thought it was quite good, actually. I know what you mean about its leaving you cold - I kind of feel that way, as well. But not because I think the characters' actions didn't fit - I thought they did so well that their actions were totally believable. The only problem I found with it was that Bill Nighy's character didn't have enough reason to have so much disdain for Barbara at the time he lashed out at her when they were on their way to the play. Later he did, sure, but at that point, I thought his words were overly harsh.
I saw The Last King of Scotland today. I had been basing my opinion on Forest Whitaker's performance being legendary on seeing the trailer alone. I learned today that I was right. That was the kind of performance that actually enriches your life just to see it, which is especially admirable considering he played a.) a real historical figure and b.) a monster. I thought James McAvoy was really quite good, too. Too bad he had to be the counterpart to that role - no matter who you were or how well you did, Whitaker *owned* every scene. Hell, even the ones he wasn't in.
It was a much better-done movie than I expected, too. I kind of expected a tour-de-force performance in an otherwise mediocre movie. Instead I got a tour-de-force performance in a great movie. What a fantastic character study about how power can so easily corrupt, and not just Amin, but the fictional doctor who started out being so believably (but not cloyingly so) idealistic.
MaineWriter:
I saw Dreamgirls yesterday. As many have said, Jennifer Hudson, in her first big role, was excellent. I also thought Eddie Murphy was very good. Beyonce Knowles did a good job and Jamie Foxx must have been good because I just hated his character...by the end of the movie, it was "hiss, boo!" every time he showed up on the screen.
The movie did seem long, though, and as my mother said, by the end I was tired of the "shouting songs."
While Jennifer Hudson was very good, I don't think she'll win Best Supporting Actress...it's her first time out of the gate and I just don't think the Academy is that generous.
Thoughts from others who have seen Dreamgirls?
L
Meryl:
--- Quote from: ednbarby on January 21, 2007, 06:50:48 pm ---It was a much better-done movie than I expected, too. I kind of expected a tour-de-force performance in an otherwise mediocre movie. Instead I got a tour-de-force performance in a great movie. What a fantastic character study about how power can so easily corrupt, and not just Amin, but the fictional doctor who started out being so believably (but not cloyingly so) idealistic.
--- End quote ---
That's a great endorsement, Barb. I think I'll have to add that one to the (very) long list of films I want to see.
I saw "Pan's Labyrinth" a few days ago, a story that takes place during the Spanish Civil War. What an interesting combination of the real and unreal! But is the unreal any less real than what we think is the real world? The imagery is beautiful, and the little girl who plays the lead is excellent. It makes you think about all the layers of history, in fact the layers of reality itself, that lie just under the surface of where we live our day to day lives. It's also about being tested and about both winning and losing what is most dear to you. I definitely recommend it.
ednbarby:
I very nearly saw that one instead today, but I opted for The Last King of Scotland because Pan's Labyrinth just started for the first time on Friday, whereas the former is just a revival of sorts so I was afraid it'd be gone, soon. Although, judging from the packed theater today and the applause at the end, maybe I was wrong about that one.
I'm still wanting to see Volver, but it's only playing at a theater I really don't like, so chances are I'll have to wait for the DVD. Same goes for Little Children, unfortunately.
I hope to see Babel this Thursday.
Kind of annoying that they can't spread these good movies out over the year a little more (or some). Stupid "awards season." Man, I wish all that would just go away. I mean, hand out awards if you want - we do at my company and in my business, too. But the televising of it all (and the marketing and the hype) needs to stop.
And that's my truly revolutionary comment for the day.
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