Oscar History
Film Bitch History
Welcome

The Film Experience™ was created by Nathaniel R. All material herein is written by our team. (This site is not for profit but for an expression of love for cinema & adjacent artforms.)

Follow TFE on Substackd

Powered by Squarespace
Keep TFE Strong

We're looking for 500... no 390 SubscribersIf you read us daily, please be one.  

I ♥ The Film Experience

THANKS IN ADVANCE

What'cha Looking For?
Subscribe
« Curio: Meryl, 30 Years Ago | Main | I Wanna Be Linked By You... Just You... »
Tuesday
Oct112011

NYFF: "Hugo" A Work in Progress

The surprise screening of The New York Film Festival tonight was Martin Scorsese's Hugo, a 3D adaptation of the book The Invention of Hugo Cabret (a much better title for about a hundred reasons) which is about an orphan boy who inadvertently uncovers rich cinematic history while trying to repair a broken automatron that is his only cherished reminder of his father. Martin Scorsese introduced the film himself and seemed a bit embarrassed by the standing ovation before the screening. Perhaps he was thinking Calm down. What if you don't like it?!? 

Father and Son and Automatron in "Hugo"

Though you'll undoubtedly see several full reviews online tonight, we were given a finger wagging public reminder pre-screening that we weren't to do so. Scorsese warned us that the color correction was not finished, the score was a temporary rendition of the completed score which Howard Shore is currently recording, and some of the effects and the 3D still needed touching up. This was especially true of the opening pre-title segment which had a lot of computer graphics in lieu of actual people and objects. So absent an actual review, let it suffice to say that I was too caught up in it to take ANY notes (the only thing written on my pad is "still needs color cor..." yep, that's it!) and was very pleasantly surprised.  

Ben Kingsley as the mysterious Papa GeorgeI had found the trailer so manic and gimmicky that I assumed the film would be a noisy disaster but the completed -- excuse me, nearly completed -- movie is actually fairly gentle and lovely despite flirting with manic slapstick on a few occassions. Production designer and certain Oscar nominee (again) Dante Ferretti's clock motif on steroids should read garish since Hugo lives inside a train station which seems to house ten thousand of them, all of which he hand winds daily. Instead the sets feel like intricate beauties with tiny hand-crafted parts. The film is still settling in my mind and I heard everything from raves to loud but minor quibbling while briefly chatting with other moviegoers outside. But if you've ever loved France, Books, Fiddling With How Gadgets Work, or The History of Cinema, it's a love letter you'll most definitely want to read when it opens next month.

PrintView Printer Friendly Version

EmailEmail Article to Friend

Reader Comments (18)

Yeah, I think the title change was to make it more user-friendly or something. The original title is definitely better.

October 11, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterAlison Flynn

"I had found the trailer so manic and gimmicky that I assumed the film would be a noisy disaster but the completed -- excuse me, nearly completed -- movie is actually fairly gentle and lovely despite flirting with manic slapstick on a few occasions."

^I completely agree. Fear not, lovers-of-subtlety.

October 11, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterEvan

Normally I hate seeing films in 3D...being a regular wearer of glasses makes it frustrating, and it too often feels like a poorly employed gimmick...but for 'Hugo,' it was perfect. What better way to make a statement about the beauty of the evolution of film as a medium than to take advantage of one of its more recent, controversial innovations? Come Thanksgiving, I'd encourage moviegoers to splurge and see this one in 3D for sure.

October 11, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterCorey

Looks good.

Nathaniel -- Is Ben Kingsley Oscar worthy?

October 11, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterJohn D.

Cannot wait to see it! Also, worst teaser poster ever, right?
Nathaniel-I'm happy for you that it wasn't J. Edgar, even though I would pay money to see that groan let out :)

October 11, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterAlex BBats

How does it affect your predictions?

October 11, 2011 | Unregistered Commentercal roth

At the very least, it takes Super 8 off the visual effects list. Possibly a nom for the best in show supporting actor. (Whoever that may be.) Outside shots at director, picture and adapted screenplay.

October 11, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterVolvagia

Those are just my thoughts of what it affects, though. I don't presume to speak for the blog runner. Sorry if it came across that way.

October 11, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterVolvagia

cal -- al anybody cares about is the oscar predictions anymore. *sniffle* (in truth i know they're overdue. this week has been so crazy busy. having trouble finding time to finish about 10 articles. more screenings today! (tis the season)

October 11, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterNathaniel R

Reason number 749 why trailers suck. I really wish I had Guy Lodge's willpower so I could not watch them at all.

October 11, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterLiz N.

I'd say Hugo's best Oscar chances are, in order of likelihood, Visual Effects, Score (if Best=Most... it's kinda forgettable), Sound categories (lots of tinkering noises), and maaaaybe Supporting Actor for Kingsley. I don't see Sasha Baron Cohen getting Oscar attention though the NYFF audience loved him.

October 11, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterEvan

I was pleasantly surprised too. I have some reservations about the first forty-ish minutes. One early manic chase, for example, was so poorly staged and edited I was squirming in my seat fearing what the rest of the movie might bring. Utter relief, as it turned out - once the film settled into its groove (and boy did it settle) it was one of the most enchanting movie experiences I've had in a while.

October 11, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterRoark

Do you think people is going to sue Hugo, for not being manic and gimmicky as the trailer promised?

October 11, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterLuiserghio

I wish I would have avoided the trailer because it made me a little disinterested, now it seems like I'm crazy.

October 12, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterColin Biggs

In the event you look at how numerous times more than the life of you leather coin purse it is going to be employed you need to make sure that it is going to stand as much as the constant use. Gently peel the ribbon from the cardboard. This pattern is gradually catching on in larger cities. For anyone who is touring with youthful young children, make sure you include added food, louis vuitton handbags replica. drinks, discount louis vuitton luggage. diapers, spare clothing and toys in case of a delay. Soon after use, wonderful assortment of suggestions and stitching and fundamental abilities, you'll be able to personalize your baggage. Like, a leather purse is usually obtainable as being a tote bag, a travel bag, a shoulder bag, messenger bags, notebook notebook bags, low cost purses, business enterprise purses and so on.

November 1, 2011 | Unregistered CommenterDesigner Handbags UK

We offer to your attention only replica watches of the best quality-jacob co replica watches
If you want to purchase a cheap watch, you should try a lot of methods. Online shopping is the best way for you.-Together with buying of two exclusive watch brand Daniel Roth and Gerald Genta

November 1, 2011 | Unregistered Commenterjacob co replica watches

Thank for share,To find alternative online replica panerai watches wholesaler of Internet sites, online High quality replica rolex and fake tag heuer watches retailer, see if you can encounter comparable type.

November 22, 2011 | Unregistered Commenterruguoyouyi

For cool nike shoes for saleyears, I Air Jordan 5wrote

odd stories. Nike Jordan 2010Published a few. Kept most of them in a mess of notebooks scattered

around my old farmhouse. Oh, andCheap Jordan Shoes on Post-It Notes. Stuck to my monitor, to an old red railroad cabinet I use

as my Nike Shoes Discounted SalesortaCheapest Nike Shoes For Sale filing

system, and even on each other. Notes Nike Jordan AJF8stuck to notes in a pyschedelic swirl of

canary yellow and pea-green.I Jordan Take Flightgathered ideas from every story I read, every book,

movie, song, myth, lie, Cheap Vibram Five Fingers Shoes On Saleconversation, and from some part of my neural wiring that

generates noise and weird connections. Five Fingers For WomenBeginnings, middles and ends mix

together in some alchemical Cheap Newest Nike Shoes For Saleconcoction I don't pretend to understand.I wrote it all

down.Identified, there is no Air Jordan 3 Maxindication that crown glue or rough edges. Watch

should also be smooth and effortless style.

November 22, 2011 | Unregistered Commenterlogo
Comments for this entry have been disabled. Additional comments may not be added to this entry at this time.