Tuesday
Oct202015
Open Thread
Tuesday, October 20, 2015 at 6:47PM What's on your mind today? I just marathoned about four movies and need a moment to collect myself.
P.S. if you'd like Q&A and the experiment of TV MVPs on a weekly basis make sure to comment so we know you're reading / care. You're playing hard-to-get lately out there in the dark.
Reader Comments (58)
Has anyone else noticed that Netflix edits movies? I've seen three in the past weeks where they've cut out parts and I'm not sure why. Makes me wonder when I'm watching new-to-me movies what they're cutting and I'm completely missing.
Whoopi Goldberg threw shade on Viola Davis' historic Emmy speech suggesting she did not know what she was talking about. Insisting there are several opportunities in the business for black actresses and what Viola really wanted was a pat on the back via awards recognition. Whoopi Goldberg is a mildly talented relic. Who resents the army of black women who have taken up the space she once filled when Hollywood used her for two consecutive decades as the only black bitch in town.
I have not noticed that on Netflix. Which ones did you see that were edited? That sounds so weird but I feel like I've heard of that happening to someone else.
Who does everyone think would take Mara and Vikander's spots in Supporting Actress if they weren't there? Would Paulson and Heard get back some of the air that that category fraud was sucking up? Would Walters and Banks just move right up in their slots? Or would actresses playing similar character types kinda hop back in? The whole category seems really competitve (I hope the precursors reflect that) and if that category wasn't being invalidated who'd really be there?
Just watched Julie Delpy's Two Days in New York, and I'm just thinking about how brilliantly hilarious she is, and that the world needs so much more of her. Honestly she is one of the funniest comediennes working. The Before Trilogy is just the beginning!
Nick T -- i think Paulson and Heard's roles are probably too small for traction even if the leading actresses got out of the way... though it'd be so nice to see Paulson in the mix given how they shafted her for superb work in 12 years a slave.
T-bone -- she has a new movie making the rounds but i think the reviews were unkind. there were so many things happening all at once in Toronto it was easy to miss things.
James -- this is the first i've heard of this! worrisome.
I've been focused on my fantasy football, aka I have literally nothing of interest to contribute except to thumbs-up the weekly Q&As and TV MVPs.
Cinematically, I've been thinking about Slow West, which I only saw recently (opened last weekend here in Madrid). I don't think it's necessarily good,but was very compelled by the dynamic between Fassbender and Smit-McPhee. The final showdown was beautiful to look at, even if the whole scenario was rather (intentionally?) over the top.
But really, this last days I've been devoted to new tv seasons: Fargo, The Leftovers and The Affair. Would love to hear your comments on those if you're watching.
Also, the Muppets. For someone who didn't grow up with them, therefore having no personal attachments to previous versions, I would like to know your take on it. I enjoy watching it in a non committed kind of way, but my biggest issue is with Miss Piggy. I thought of her as a DIVA, and divas are strong willed for sure, but talented and intelligent above all; here, I think Miss Piggy comes across as a petulant whiner but not too clever or even decent at what she does. I'm a reading too much into it, or is this an accurate representation of the character?
I'm disappointed but I'm not surprised. Although it is nice that Paulson seems like she's going to be able to grow and Underappreciated Character Actress narrative next time she has a role that's noticeable and up for contention. And that you agree she got shafted for 12 Years. I still don't get that.
It's also weird hearing that their roles are too small for supporting actress regardless of quality. I completely understand it but whenever I look through smackdown archives I always enjoy seeing nominations for super small parts like Davis, Straight, Miles twice, all of 1974. Even if they're trashed, it's still nice looking at years where that was a semi-regular thing. Too small seems preferable in these categories to too big.
Heading out in a few minutes to see Suffragette and listen to Streep and Mulligan talk afterwards. Should be a splendid evening.
Seeing Inside Out again at a cheap theater and wondering if it will reduce me to tears again. Will steeling myself for Bing Bong, Joy and Riley's wistful mirror skate, and Joy and Riley recognizing Sadness' value even as it hurts work? I'm eager to find out.
I know Netflix has a tv version of Middle of Nowhere which was of course edited for broadcast. I think it would be responsible of them to clearly label anything which has been altered.
On my cinematic mind?
1. Betty Garrett in On the Town
2. Scarjo in Under the Skin
3. The art and science of crafting a great film title
4. Gene Kelly's pants in On the Town (mmmmmm)
RE Netflix: at first it was censoring I noticed. In Shakespeare in Love where the young man (not Gwyneth in drag, oops) is accused of being a woman, his dress is lifted up and the audience is SHOWN that he's a male. But not in the Netflix version.I also noticed scenes of Nightmare 2 talked about in the trailer for "Scream, Queen!" were missing.
What I really didn't get was why they removed the part where Eddie Valiant gets "toon-a-rooned" in "Who Framed Roger Rabbit," when the villain puts a toon pig over his head. Why censor that?
Just Googling shows that people have thought Netflix airs cropped, censored and overall edited films, but it's unclear if it's them or how the films are licensed to them.
James - Can you post any links about this? I find the idea of internet streaming services self-censoring absolutely FASCINATING.
Which movies did you watch? Ever consider posting your monthly screenings like you used to do?
Dealing with my passion for french actresses from Jeanne Moreau, Catherine Deneuve, Simone Signoret, Isabelle Adjani, Juliette Binoche, Fanny Ardant,Isabelle Huppert, Julie Deply to Marion Cottilard...are they the most compelling actresses ( or french movies offer more female complicated characters?) Sometimes I dream that Nicole Kidman, Tilda Swinton and Julianne Moore were french to end my questions...
These days I am all about TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD.
I am currently covering its novel and film for one my college's classes, which makes me love the beauty and brilliance of Gregory Peck even more.
I have been preoccupied by politics these last few days, and wonder what you think the best film on politics is?
Thumbs up on Q&A sessions, just because I don't have a question doesn't mean I don't enjoy it, these sessions are always interesting.
Steve Jobs is on my mind. Not the man, the movie, which I watched earlier today. Some thoughts I had while watching it:
The direction is skillful. Boyle is doing his thing and it's refreshing to see under the obstructions he is given by the writing.
The writing seems a little improbable at times. I guess Sorkin wanted to cover everything about the man, but it seemed a little too coincidental that all those issues would arise just before each launch. Still, a good structure for a biopic nonetheless.
The acting is really good and Fassbender is doing what Day Lewis did in Lincoln with his voice.
Why did Winslet's accent is thicker in the second part than in the first part? Was it shot first? She nailed her big scene though.
Why did he need to be redeemed at the end? Oh, right.
The one thought that crossed my mind the most was: are we really better-off because of technology? There was nothing genius about Jobs. He was a damaged person with an obsession (those are the people who promote change in the world, usually, for the better or the worse). He was really short-sighted in his belief that humanity really needed the technology he was creating, I mean, presenting. If anything, I resent what the world has become because of it and fear for the new generations.
Then I sneaked into The Walk because I had 45 minutes to kill. My thought was: What the heck is this? Is he really sitting on the torch of the Statue of Liberty while he tells the story? Everything seemed so fake. It would just remind me that it was an American actor doing a fake French accent, sitting on a fake torch in front of a green screen...I had to leave before the climax, which I was curious to see.
Oh, and yes, the Q/A's are fun! I don't watch much TV, so I'm not the right person to have an opinion on the other series.
@James - I can't speak about the other movies (I've seen ANOES2 and Shakespeare in Love outside of Netflix), but in the case of Who Framed Roger Rabbit, the reason that scene of Eddie with a pig's head doesn't appear is because it's not in the actual film.
It was never in the film. It's a deleted scene that's available on the Vista Series DVD which I own.
Granted in that same feature's commentary, Zemeckis expresses regret about deleting the scene, but I personally think the film is so much more stronger without it. The scene would have really undercut the weight of Valiant's chasing Jessica Rabbit late in the film once that chase leads to him having drive right into Toontown.
Off to see SUFFRAGETTE in a couple of hours. I am starting to suspect it will be my IMITATION GAME/THEORY OF EVERYTHING for this awards season i.e. I will get increasingly more annoyed the further it goes down the path towards Oscar, because it doesn't deserve the praises. However, I should at least wait until I have seen it.
I just saw Crimson Peak for the second time. This is a fun movie to go to with friends.
The first viewing, I was impressed by the lush sumptuousness of it all. Plus delighted by how the wonderful cast played it straight.
On second viewing, I was surprised to notice how restrained the actors were. They did tiny careful exact moments in time. That wasn't what I had expected to notice. Another eye opener about the actor's craft for me.
Drove an hour into Toronto to see Mr. Holmes. What a lovely, quiet film. Sir Ian was remarkable.
I saw The Lobster last Friday and it's still fresh on my mind. Really liked. It's got to be one of the smoothest transitions into English-speaking film-making by a foreign director. Can't wait for his next one (re-teaming with Colman and Weisz, plus Emma Stone!).
What movies did you marathon, Nathaniel? Would be great if you kept an updated diary. I follow you on Letterboxd but dont think I've noticed you logging in many movies?
I watched Thirteen again for the first time in a long time, and man it fucked me up. it gets so melodramatic at the end, but that's just exactly how it feels as a teenager. That movie really captures the powerless and hopeless feelings you can really have at that age when you're going through big changes. I was majorly depressed as a teenager and I think a lot of it had to do, aside from the serious issues I was facing at a young age, with the fact that I had such little control over things due to the fact that I was only a kid. So I was left feeling really hopeless and powerless against the problems I had.
I don't know. Just reflecting. And the whole cast is so great...Holly, and Nikki, and even whats-her-face that plays Brooke. But Evan Rachel Wood is really phenomenal, especially for being so young. Man. I know I always complain about the Oscars snubbing her, but even the independent spirit awards snubbed her! ...And Holly Hunter.
I saw True Romance at the weekend for the first time in about 20 years. While I loved Oldman and Walken in it, one thing really struck a nerve. Has Tarantino ever written great roles for women? I always assumed he had, but Arquette's character is so flimsy, nonsensical and grounded in nothing that she has such an uphill struggle to make it work.
Taken out of context, the scenes with Gandolfini are AMAZING as she plays them so against the script. Yet also incongruous with her as 'fantasy hot girl trope' on the page.
It's starting to make me wonder whether Thurman, Grier and Kruger worked so well in his films in spite of the script, rather than because of it...
Saw a screening of Room last night followed by a Q&A with Emma Donoghue. If Larson and Tremblay don't get some sort of acting awards recognition, and an adapted screenplay nod for Donoghue, I'm going to be seriously pissed off.
(It WAS nice to Joan Allen on screen again.)
Carlos -- i have such a hard time remembering to update on Letterboxed but i will make an effort. I think what throws me off it's is easiest to remember to do that IMMEDIATELY after screenings but I hate "rating" movies the second after i've seen them.
@James - Hulu and Amazon Prime both have the same awful-quality cropped version of Freeway (with Reese Witherspoon) available to view - only the credits are letterboxed. (I have no idea if anything is edited out; I only watched about 5 minutes of it on each service.) Since both of them are streaming the same version, it has to be what was licensed to them. Maybe the case is the same with with Netflix.
I don't know it this has been discussed already (to death even). But is Maps to the Stars going to be eligible this year? I just saw it again and loved it to pieces. The first time had left me somewhat baffled, but that all disappeared. Julianne Moore (who I'd say is supporting) earns the Oscar she not-so-deservedly won for the blah Still Alice. Face it, she could have played that role in her sleep. It would be great if she were eligible this year. Olivia Williams is fabulous too.
ken s: Maps is not eligible this year. And votes Moore received for Still Alice could be some members way of acknowledging her for a performance and movie which would never get nominated even when the Academy is feeling edgy.
Moore's Oscar is a career win and the women in her category who were first time nominees would have made terrible winners and those on their second nomination winning again would just ruin their industry and public good fortune.
Disappointing. I agree that Julianne Moore's award was a career acknowledgement, and I'm somewhat ok with that, seeing that my choice, Marion Cotillard had already won in a race where I greatly preferred Julie Christie. Well guess I can go back to rooting for hopeless case Juliette Binoche and maybe possible Elizabeth Banks (so far).
ken s: For Binoche who simply want her to win a second Oscar in Best Actress?
Nathaniel - I hear ya! I try to log movies in as soon as I watch them to avoid forgetting, but then often end up changing ratings after a few days/weeks.
Why has Julia Roberts turned her back on the genre that made her?
MARK - that's interesting. Have there been recent romantic comedies with female protagonists in their mid-late '40s that could've starred her? Because I think it's just an issue of her having aged out of that genre. That and there's probably not a lot of great romantic comedy scripts floating around out there anyway. And since she's done so many of them, why not try other kinds of films?
Having said that, it would be nice to see her movie star charisma used in an actually good film as opposed to all these Larry Crowne/Mirror Mirror/Valentine's Day/Mother's Day/Flag Day/Tuesday Day comedies she's been choosing.
3rtful Juliette Binoche's win was in the Supporting Actress category. I think her performance in Clouds of Sils Maria is one for the ages, and I really don't care if, how many or in which categories she had won before. Are you against actresses winning more than once on principle? Anyway, the argument is academic, because she won't be nominated -- it's a cruel world out there. Are you automatically against Cate Blanchett winning a third (second as Best Actress), or Jennifer Lawrence winning a second Oscar? I haven't seen either of course, but they're expected to be nominated.
ken s: I'm a fan of Binoche. Sometimes fans verbalize their preference for their favorite actor to win in a specific category to expand the nomination count or awards haul. I wanted clarity from you if you were just interested in her winning Best Actress. You simply want her to compete this year for this movie. Which is different. I would like Bionche nominated outside of the machine Weinstein. But this has not happened yet. Not a supporter of Lawrence. And I fully support Blanchett winning a third as long as it is not at the expense of Charlotte Rampling.
I am not against actresses winning more than once. It simply needs to be the right actress.
I definitely want Binoche to win. If I ruled the world, (and sadly I don't) she'd be the one everyone would be saying is the one to beat. Since I don't live in New York or LA or get to attend any of the film festivals, I won't have seen all the major (cough, cough) contenders until February or March even. That's the only thing holding me back from out-and-out saying she should win right now. But her performance in Clouds of Sils Maria would have won in 2014 or 2013 for sure, so I feel safe to say it'll be one of the top three if not the very best of this year. I'm most looking forward to Cate Blanchett and Charlotte Rampling, so maybe we're in some agreement. My taste and Oscar voters taste are way different and a year when None of my top 5 are nominated is not unheard of. For example, my number two choice this year would be Regina Case in The Second Mother and Kika Rodriguez for Tangerine. I'd have to be deluded to expect them to be getting nominated, but I'll stick to my guns.
ken s: What country are you in?
3rtful USA Columbus, Ohio
That's sort of what I meant,I think her talents and movie star charisma are underused these days,I know everyone is hung up on Lawrence now but Julia did it first and with no franchises.
I miss big red hair gawky laugh vulnerable Julia,thouGH i did lover her in Closer and AOC and still wonder what Blanchett meant in her Best Actress winning speech when she told her to suck it up.
Ken S - likewise, usually I have at least one acting category where none of my Top 5 are even in contention... but I love the Oscars for the race itself, not for it rewarding my personal taste! I rarely get to the cinema these days, so my 2014 list is only just beginning to take shape. The shame.
3rtful - you so often have insightful comments, then make me cringe on occasion. While not against your earlier comment in principle (though I'd describe Whoopi as much more than a limited actress - The Color Purple is one of the best performances of the decade in my opinion, before we even get to her film-anchoring work in Girl, Interrupted) please don't refer to an actress you dislike or object to in such demeaning terms. Even at the peak of Nathaniel's dislike of performances from Zellweger, Swank and Moretz, his comments were always tongue-in-cheek...
ken s: My God. I'm sorry love I assumed by the way you were speaking you had no access because you're a foreigner.
I live in LA. Met Nathaniel last year thanks to PTA screening Inherent Vice for the AFI festival. The tickets are free to the public.
3rtful There was an interesting article by Jonathan Rosenbaum a couple years back about release schedules and when movies "officially" are released and when they actually play outside of NY/LA. And he was talking about that backwater Chicago! We have an "art" multiplex where foreign/independent/documentary films will play usually for one week and only once a day. We also have the Wexner Center which shows oddball fare but only once or twice. The multiplexes play the commercial fare. Otherwisce, gotta wait for the DVD releases.
kermit the frog: Yeah, I never expect much from the nominations. I mean if they'll snub Jake Gyllenhaal, foreigners don't have a chance. My only hope is that each category will have one nominee I can get enthused about. Sometimes that's even asking for too much. Like last year's Best Picture nominees, for example.
Ken S - I once read a very interesting opinion about the Oscars (specifically acting categories) that pretty much said that due to the cost of campaigning and other factors, all contenders should always be ranked as follows -
USA Prestige Cinema
UK Prestige Cinema
USA Independent Cinema
Everything Else (!!!)
Only once contenders from one category had been exhausted (ie. gained traction or disappointed) would contenders from the next tier come into play.
Sadly, I agree - which means that in a stacked year like this one, a lot of actresses this year need to bomb for Charlotte Rampling or Juliette Binoche to make a play...
kermit Yes, either accept the conditions or ignore the whole thing. I admire people who can ignore it, but I just can't. At least last year on the bright side, Marion Cotillard got in, to almost balance my disappointment, over Jake Gyllenhaal's and Rene Russo's and Tilda Swinton's, ad nausem omissions.
Kermit: I do use salty language and it has nothing to do with gender.
MARK - I totally miss that, too, but we also used to have the big red hair adorableness from Winslet and Kidman and they've decided to blonder, sleeker and, quite frankly, colder. As talented as they are, it's been disappointing to see them all go so "Hollywood."
Update (eagerly awaited by nobody. :-) ): saw SUFFRAGETTE last night, and it was the opposite of what i suspected. It is now equal with INSIDE OUT as the film I will be rooting for in the coming awards season. Apart from an unnecessary Meryl cameo (as in it was unnecessary for Meryl to play the role. It was still crucial to the story), it was excellent!