Friday
Dec022011
Open Thread
Friday, December 2, 2011 at 11:29PM What's on your cinematic mind this Friday night / Saturday morning?
tagged getting to know you
getting to know you Friday, December 2, 2011 at 11:29PM
Comments for this entry have been disabled. Additional comments may not be added to this entry at this time.
Reader Comments (41)
Watched "Summer and Smoke" and "The Pope of Greenwich Village" this week. Neither was great, but damn Geraldine Page was amazing. Did she ever give a bad performance?
Saw "My Week with Marilyn" today...movie was so-so, but Williams was brilliant as Marilyn.. I had tears in my eyes through the last half of movie.
Now do you consider this mimicry????
Is it wrong that I found Elizabeth Olsen incredibly hot in MMMM....man I'm going to hell.
Was in a packed room watching Coriolanus, they all clapped at the end. Not sure what some bloggers were talking about the film not playing well to the Academy, at least enough to get Redgrave in. Maybe it doesn't work as well on screener, but Redgrave gives the best political mom performance since Angela Lansbury in Manchurian Candidate!
But maybe hoping for her AND Tilda to get in is a bit of wishful thinking.
Speaking of, how you have Tilda ranked as more of a longshot than Dunst, Olsen, Mara, Knightley and Colman is a hot nightmare.
Michael Fassbender in Shame was AWEsome.. He seems an even male-r Ewan McGregor LOL. You know what it is -- it is the width of the mustache region of his face. Generally, I am envious of his body.
Can you imagine what an acting (and looking I guess) hybrid would Christain Bale + McGregor + Fassbender be?
Amongst the ladies, me feels more compelled by Jessica Chastain than Carey Mulligan this year. But of course, I'm still looking out for an actress that combines the 3 lead Six Feet Under ladies, with a Joanna Cassidy laugh to match. That actress would give Meryl Streep a run for her money, or maybe, per Out of Africa, Streep would sigh in her autobiography:
"Runners who renown outran
And the concoction outlived this woman"
Ibad -- obviously Tilda will move up post that NBR award. But i maintain that the movie isn't very Oscar friendly and that one week qualifier from a tiny company aint gonna do it.
Rick -- how wouldn't it be mimicry when Michelle was doing Marilyn's moves / voice? i'm not sure i follow the question.
Nathan I want to petition that there should be some HT (home theater) talk here at thefilmexperience. OLED -- an endgame tech is coming soon, well Sony already has a model out that's three years old and beats the pants off of anything we could buy at Best Buy.
I'm seeing Shame in T-Minus two minutes and I can't wait for some Michael Fassbender penis and Carey Mulligan going batshit.
I didn't realize you hadn't updated your predicted lineups, but still, that argument can be equally applied to all those actresses (well, maybe not Mara, but that film is probably a lot bloodier)!
I've been working on two different pieces of my own. One is about how Take Shelter and Martha Marcy May Marlene are able to achieve that sustained mood of creepy eeriness, so of course I immediately think of Zodiac as well as a third companion to watch. Trying to figure what elements cause those little cinematic miracles.
The other is how as much as I love her, Meryl has systematically taken the opportunity for work away from the rest of her generation of actresses....for the most part. I love Meryl Streep and, I'm certainly one of her biggest partisans, but after watching Albert Nobbs and recently rewatching Missing, I kept thinking of how Glenn and Sissy don't work as often as they should and do anymore. Both feel like they were shoved over to TV land. Not that Meryl's the only reason, but she certainly hasn't helped.
How more and more I want to see Young Adult.
Hanna! It has some serious problems screenplay-wise, but I loved it and its campiness. Joe Wright is one of my favorite directors and even more than Pride & Prejudice and Atonement, which are two of my favorite films, Hanna serves as the perfect example why. Style out of his ears, and it's always functional.
Getting more and more curious about Jessica Chastin cause she seems so quite and delicate on the red carpet. She´s obviously good since the critics have not mention any connection between her performances in:
Take Shelter
The Tree of Life
The Help
Coriolanus
The Debt
I saw Hugo tonight! It was seriously probably the most purely entertaining film I've seen in theaters this year. Also totally warm and I loved Ben Kingsley so so much. Boy, does he define magnetic.
I got sentimental/nostalgic when I saw the new façade of the movie theatre (now movie-less) I used to go to every weekend when I was younger. And I don't understand why people who download every single movie to their computers don't see the connection between movie theatres closing and piracy.
I entered THR to see the Actor roundtable expecting to see all the hot guys that have been on the talk, Fassbender, Gosling, and DiCaprio interacting. Instead I found the youngest one was Clooney. Not that it wasn't interesting (they even discussed rage with Nolte in the room!), but it shows the difference with the Actress's, much like in the Oscars, even if to resemble them they have to mix up the leading (Oldman, Clooney) and supporting categories (Nolte, Plummer, Waltz).
And finally, I'd like to apply for a job in a distribution company so that I would know how titles are translated and who decided that I Don't How She Does It could become Tentación en Manhattan.
I actually had a dream last night about the Oscars being like a singing competition. They have like the best actress finalists, and then one is eliminated each week until you have a winner. In my dream, Michelle Williams was eliminated (except I think this was for Blue Valentine). And if I remember correctly, everyone was shocked and upset because the general consensus was pretty much that her work was superior to the other two remaining actresses, but wasn't as popular (i.e. popularity contest - which the Oscars definitely are). I thought it was interesting how my dream kind of spoke on that.
The weirdest part, though, was Michelle was really upset. And not crying upset; mad. Kind of sore loser-ish. And Ryan Gosling was there to support her so he came on stage and started consoling her, telling her she's amazing and she wasn't having it - "I don't believe you." I think she was just giving everyone another taste of Blue Valentine.
Fun actressexual dreams ftw~
I watched "Carnage" two days ago and I loved it. Enjoyable, witty, hilarious, entertaining, smart, well-observed. I had seen the play on stage and wasn't sure about the casting of the movie, but they were all great, despite some minor flaws. John C. Reilly is spot on.
Just out of curiosity, when are you going to be seeing Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close? I know there are SAG screenings this weekend, and pressers are sure to follow shortly. I figured that NYC would get screenings before LA given the subject matter...but maybe the tiff with NYFCC will screw that up.
How was Tori?!
Darbicus -- i really don't know. I think by Tuesday/Wednesday I will have seen everything except Margaret (sniffle) and Extremely Loud
Drew C - I agree with you but a good bit of the blame must go to the people who make those decisions as well - directors, producers, casting directors - for lacking imagination. Obviously Meryl isn't sitting on her hands, she's taking the parts, but why not offer them to different actresses to begin with?
I remember how "ubiquitous" Meryl became at some point, how after the triumphs of Sophie's Choice etc she had "jumped the shark" because it seemed like she was everywhere. It's as though she didn't learn the lesson of that time, or maybe she's making up for lost time (and money) from the '90's, but thanks to her warm, funny personality we're (the collective "we") are more willing to forgive her this time?
It's kind of refreshing to see Ryan Gosling in Drive. Could have turned into one of his actory piece but he didn't. I do hope he gets some traction for this, and not for Ides which will probably confuses things. I know his chances are slim but still, I think this year is a departure for him as an actor, in a good way.
I have been obsessing over when I am going to hear anything about The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. I just want to know something. Anything! I finished the book recently, and I feel like everything I've seen so far is very on target, very faithful. I am jazzed to hear how Ms. Mara is in the role.
Can I go a little bit nuts here about suggestions for your Oscar predictions update this weekend? I can? Good.
Begone The Ides of March. I really haven't felt any traction for this film since it opened, and I'm surprised you still had it at 12 just two weeks ago. Not to mention that Sony already has Moneyball and Midnight in Paris to campaign for, and probably Dragon Tattoo, too. Time to jettison it. Ditto Screenplay—there are just too many other, better ones waiting in the wings to pick it off. Like A Dangerous Method, which I just saw, loved, and think you should be moving at least to alternate now on Adapted Screenplay.
Where's Tintin? I'm not saying a Best Picture nomination is likely here (not saying it yet, anyway), but I remember that you were caught kind of flat-footed on True Grit last year and Avatar in 2009 until right before they opened. So I'm thinking maybe you have a blind spot for big, popular studio movies that don't generate a lot of advance awards buzz because they don't need to for people to go see them. I think Tintin deserves alternate status here.
Best Actor Blahs. I won't deny that your three locks for nomination deserve their spots (even if Dujardin really doesn't do much more than countless unheralded silent stars did before him), but none of them feels like a winner to me. Prediction: Gary Oldman vaults into early frontrunner status once Tinker Tailor opens. Plus you know he's overdue for at least a nomination. At least bump him up to 5.
Viggo and Category Confusion? Personally, I'd put Viggo Mortensen ahead of everyone else in Supporting Actor—on merit, anyway. But I have to wonder if his billing impacts his chances here: Jung is clearly the central character of A Dangerous Method, but Michael Fassbender is billed third; even though Mortensen's Freud is supporting Jung—Sigmund rolls in his grave at the very thought!— he's billed ahead of him, second. (Keira Knightley first, because it's by fame, apparently.) What do you think? Maybe we should go back to that simpler time when there was a written or unwritten rule that if your name came before the title you were "leading" and everyone else was "supporting."
Angelina Jolie? Really? Yes, the Academy director's branch like actors behind the camera. But they only really like it when those actors' movies are Best Picture caliber, and you don't even have In the Land of Blood and Honey listed there. And anything short of serious BP nomination chances, the Academy will not want people to see Angelina Jolie nominated for directing a film no one's heard of. Because then it looks like so much starfucking, and really, that's what the Golden Globes are for. I'd say take her off the page, but I do like looking at her picture.
Janet McTeer. You're probably going to keep her exactly where she is on the Supporting Actress rankings, and perhaps that's as it should be right now. But I have a hunch her star rises after Albert Nobbs opens and she snags a nomination. It's been 12 years, but I still remember how floored everyone was by her in Tumbleweeds. I don't know who she'll displace (probably Shailene), but maybe it's time to start talking about whether Berenice Bejo's place here amounts to category fraud.
Andy Serkis. Yeah, it's not gonna happen, but c'mon. Be a sport. Put his name on the Supporting Actor page anyway. Because if we can't have a little fun here, what's the point?
I think I might start developing a serious crush on Jessica Chastain. The plus side is I still have like 213 movies with her in it to watch.
watched Beginners on DVD last night and love Plummer's performance....
I saw 50/50 last night, and I don't really understand why the only Oscar talk for that film is the slight chance for Anjelica Huston to sneak into Supporting Actress. It should be a lock for Actor and Original Screenplay, in my opinion.
I just got my Entertainment Weekly Magazine last night. They are 110% set that Voila Davis for the win.
Should we believe them????
And, it's Julianne Moore's birthday today. Incredible 51 years.
Intriguing upcoming films:
"Game Change" (as Sarah Palin)
"What Maisie Knew" (modern day Henry James adaptation)
"The Seventh Son" (as the most evil witch of the 17th century, co-starring Jeff Bridges)
and maybe so:
"Being Flynn" (a supporting role, starring Bob De Niro and Paul Dano)
"The English Teacher" (a comedy, co-starring Greg Kinnear and Nathan Lane)
Am I nuts or this the best year for movies since 2011? When Like Crazy, Meek's Cutoff and Jane Eyre might not even crack my top 20...wowsas.
Tomorrow: The Descendants and The Iron Lady...
Shame!!!
Does anyone have any info about the distribution dates for "The Artist"? I can't seem to find it anywhere - is this an only NY/LA thing, or will I get to see it in Chicago before 2012? Are they waiting to see how it does with awards to see how marketable it is?
I've been thinking about that 5th spot in the Best Leading Actress Oscar race... for me it was always between Elizabeth Olsen, Rooney Mara and Felicity Jones, but people told me Jones has no chances... Now it seems that Felicity Jones is taking all the indie Breakthrough Performance prizes instead of Olsen and it feels like a kick-ass moment! lol
Do you think Jones is gaining enough Oscar traction or will Olsen or Mara keep being the top contenders for the Breakthrough Performance spot of the nominees list?
^ I actually think the fifth spot is between Charlize Theron, Elizabeth Olsen, and Kirsten Dunst. Kirsten is the dark horse, but I honestly think she has a small chance. Charlize and Elizabeth are pretty neck-and-neck, but I feel like Charlize is gaining traction and Elizabeth has been losing steam. :/
That's assuming that Meryl, Glenn, Michelle, and Viola are in.
Ugh, such a good actress year.
I'd love if this happened:
-Viola
-Charlize
-Kirsten
-Elizabeth
-Michelle/Meryl/Glenn
Saw Coriolanus. Vanessa Redgrave is such a BAMF. Also the entire time, I was wondering what it would be like if Gerard Butler and Ralph Fiennes switched roles. Everyone's performances were excellent (although Jessica Chastain's role is fairly thankless), and I think it's unfair that Ralph Fiennes probably won't get much traction for his performance, since he is his usual brilliant self and people will forget as usual that there are only a handful of actors existing that could have pulled off the role like he did. It sucks.
Brian Z -- it is pretty excellent. I was sent this press release link for some article or video spot discussing why 2011 was a poor year for movies and i just lol'ed and deleted. AS IF. That just means you're watching the wrong movies. I've got a gorgeous top 10 already and the second ten is pretty brill, too.
Lily -- agreed that Fiennes is terrific in it. Agree that Vanessa is a BAMF but in my head that means *BEST* ACTRESS MOTHAFUCKA!!! cuz damn does that woman have the magic and has had it for f'in decades.
Saw Hugo. What a pile of crap. Kingsley sells it though.
Metacritic overrated A O Scott on The Artist. Scott ended his review with teh following line:
"It may be something less than a great movie, but it is an irresistible reminder of nearly everything that makes the movies great."
That's a 90 IMO.
Personally, I thought The Artist was clever and charming. I was done with it with the hero-dog scene. B+/B.