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« Jack Nicholson and Kristen Wiig to Star in "Toni Erdmann" Remake | Main | Lange Gets Legendary »
Tuesday
Feb072017

Q&A: Overhyped Loveables, Depression Coping Tactics, and Best Foreign Film 

Happy Hump Day Almost! Why do some weeks feel so much like surviving itself is the only goal / triumph? I have let the Q&A column go but we're getting back on the horse and will try to do them more regularly. Here are seven questions from last week and two from a long time ago.

Ready? Let's go! Questions about awards seasons calendar, Brie Larson, director/cinematographer teams, and coping with depression after the jump...

STEPH: Do you think Hidden Figures (given it's box office + SAG win) could've been a bigger Oscar player if the award season was later? To me the Oscars were SO much better when they were in March because it allowed a lo of time for voters (and viewers!) to see all the films and make surprising pics: some good (Stephen Soderbergh, Adrien Brody etc), some not good (Crash) but at least always there was more genuine suspense.

NATHANIEL: I am adamantly opposed to a later awards season. Much has changed in film distribution since the years when the Oscars were held in March and April. Up until the late 1980s it was common for films, if they were popular, to play for months in theaters. But with each new technological shift starting with VHS in the 80s, the theatrical window got shorter. The only thing that would change if the Academy moved the date back is that we'd get MORE one-week qualifiers (the bane of awards season as they're fully anti-moviegoer, keeping the conversation about the "Oscar movies" inside a very limited bubble). More movies would do that and then wait until March to open.  Quality and box office used to help drive Oscar results but now studios are largely dependent on Oscar buzz to generate ticket sales in the first place. I think it would be disastrous for Oscar to move later again when the rest of the world (and thus film distribution) has sped up so much. Literally the only films it would help would be late arriving films and Oscar is already too fond of those. 

As for Hidden Figures. I think it's super cute and I enjoy it a lot but I think it should be happy with its nomination count: an acting nod, a script, and picture is just fine. I am a bit mystified about people who really wanted Taraji P Henson nominated. This was an astounding year for Best Actress and as much as I love her as a celebrity and and as an actor -- she should 100% have an Emmy for Empire. In fact she should have Viola's Emmy ;) -- she just wasn't as strong as those nominated or several of the snubbed.  

RAY: Have you thought about adding the Oscar nominated performances from this year to your rankings list of the nominated performances of the 2010s? Was interested to see where you'd place the ones from this year.

Proud to have been in Brie's corner long before ROOM (2015)

To be honest I completely forgot that I even did that. That's a good idea, though, even though it would be weird to do that before we've finished up awards season.

CLARICE: If Room had come out in 2016, how would Brie have fared in Best Actress? And who would have won in 2015?

Whoa. What a difficult / interesting question considering that release dates are kind of arbitrary. This year was already too full of Best Actress candidates so ouch at making it even more contentious. I'm still 100% sure she would be nominated (Streep, bye) because that performance was so passionately embraced. In fact, I think enthusiasm for her work (and Jacob's) powered the film's Best Picture nomination (a rare case of a lead actress pulling a film up with her). Not that the film wasn't deserving. But I think Stone still emerges as the winner through the sheer force of La La Land's popularity. I suspect it's going to have a great Oscar night with 9 or 10 wins.

And maybe Saoirse Ronan wins for Brooklyn last time with the other young rising star out of the equation? I'd also like to think that if last year were less crowded maybe voters would have rejected category fraud and included Rooney Mara from Carol in Best Actress in Brie's place? But that is surely wishful retroactive fantasy since we keep learning that nobody cares about actors campaigning in totally inappropriate categories.

JAKE: If you could see any director/cinematographer have an extended team up (like the Coens/Deakins or Innaritu/Chivo), who would you pick?

Don't you miss Rodrigo Prieto shooting Ang Lee movies?

Bradford Young needs to do more pictures with Denis Villeneuve. Arrival is just beautiful. Villeneuve usually uses Roger Deakins but Deakins can't be EVERYONE's muse. Share the great directors, man. I would also like Rodrigo Prieto to leave Scorsese-land and return to Ang Lee because their movies together (Lust, Caution and Brokeback Mountain) are both so dreamy-looking. And if Steven Soderbergh is going to return to the movies, he really needs Edward Lachman in tow. Lachman is so much better for Soderbergh movies than Soderbergh himself is as their DP. Soderbergh defaults to yellow and slightly flat but with Lachman you get rich color, depth of pathos, and indeed full worlds of feeling.  

POLIVAMP: What's a highly regarded classic movie that you are cold towards? Is there a highly regarded classic that you outright dislike?

I mean, define "highly regarded classic." I loathe both Forrest Gump and Braveheart and I'm cool towards Unforgiven while recognizing its merits (yes the mid 90s were very very tough time with Oscar and me, an abusive marriage). I tend to be relatively cool on Stanley Kubrick movies but I don't "dislike" them per se... they just don't wow me the way they do others. This question is stumping me but I'm sure they exist. Hmmm, I used to dislike The Maltese Falcon but in truth I haven't seen it since I was like 12 so I'm willing to bet that I was just too young for it? 

STEVE G: What's an Oscar-nominated movie you initially disliked on first release, perhaps because it was overhyped, but have since reconsidered and now love?

I had a hard time with Working Girl (1988) when it premiered because of the movies it pushed out of the conversation at the very last minute creating that least favorite thing of mine: an all December release Oscar lineup. I still don't think it deserved all that attention but years later I admit I always enjoy it and it was so fun to revisit it recently. I never disliked LA Confidential (1997) but my heart was definitely with other movies that year and I wondered why everyone else lost their minds so thoroughly. That's another one that's aged very well. It's such a firecracker. 

Can I suggest a movie for everyone else, though? People HATED American Hustle (2013) when it came out and I fully believe that 89% of that animosity was the hype and the Oscar abundance. It's so energetic and fractious and weird and well acted. I think people should give that one another shot.

CRAVER: Do you think that the current political climate will somehow influence how people vote at the Oscars? i.e. a surprise win for The Salesman. God knows I love Toni Erdmann, but it would be nice to see Asghar Farhadi win twice even though he won't be at the ceremony.

For some time Toni Erdmann appeared to have this locked up but the response to it in release has been surprisingly subdued. This indicates that it was always more of a critical pet than a wide-appeal winner... we just didn't know it at the time because the critics were stroking their beloved so much. That race feels very up in the air now  (a win for Land of Mine also feels more than possible). The T**** Muslim ban situation may just tip the favor Farhadi's way. I'd be happy with that as it's my favorite of the nominees but it's still frustrating that AMPAS discarded Elle and Neruda, either one of which would have made great Oscar winners. Notice how the buzz just vanished from that race as soon as the high profile pics like Elle were discarded.

OKAY, TO WRAP UP TWO OLD QUESTIONS THAT I HAD TYPED UP ANSWERS TO AGES AGO AND FORGOT TO POST... APOLOGIES.

EMMA: From one short-sighted cinemagoer to another: how bad is your eyesight? Has watching so many movies / writing about them made your eyesight worse, or were you destined to wear glasses regardless?

NATHANIEL: I actually had perfect vision until a few years back and the eye doctor says this is totally normal when you hit the fortysomething years so I don't think anything caused it. And if it was all the screens, so be it. I shall never go screenless. I only wear glasses to read, work on the computer, or play on my phone... so, in other words, always. It's a great relief to take them off to watch bigger screens that are further away like movies or TV.

MARK: I have been a fan of your site since 2002 after a bad break up and am having a bad time at the moment but your blog and the features you post keep me going a lot of the time, so firstly thanks, my real question is underneath. How do you handle the down days?

HUGS! This means a lot to hear because sometimes writing is a lonely profession. I wish that I had great advice considering that I've struggled with depression, too. Mostly I remember to take the happy pills (there is no shame in seeking treatment for depression) but here are six tactics I use when I'm having a rough day:

Monty helping me with my yoga routine in 2011

  • Pets. I miss my kitty so much but playing with friend's dogs/cats can work sometimes. Animals are totally in the moment; it helps to stay there with them.
  • Musicals. Sometimes even sad musicals can help because you can ache with them melodically.
  • Exercize. I hate it when people use this as an answer to depression (because I hate going to the gym) but it helps... at least as a preventive measure. You're less likely to spiral if you're in a good groove of regular activity. The only exercizes I truly enjoy are yoga and swimming so I lean into those.
  • Allow Negativity - but Only in Short Doses! I once had a boss in corporate America who offered a silly but great technique when we were all bitchy or down in the office. Since repression isn't all the healthy you have to acknowledge bad feelings sometimes but the trick is to not dwell on them. He would give us 60 seconds --"let it out!" and we could be super negative and shouty (amongst ourselves) and then when the clock was up we would laugh because the 60 second window was weird and silly and then we'd all go back to work. 
  • Drawing. This might not work for everyone but whatever your creative outlet is, lean into it.
  • Actressexuality. This can't possibly surprise anyone about me but thinking about them is a wonderful tonic. Next time you're sad pick a random actress and then do listmaking in your head: best performances, best chemistry with co-stars, etcetera.

If you've struggled with depression, and discovered a helpful tactic for coping please share in the comments. ANSWER ANY OF THESE QUESTIONS, ACTUALLY. The more answers the merrier. Literally in the case of the last question. 

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Reader Comments (41)

Wednesday is Hump Day!

February 7, 2017 | Unregistered Commenter/3rtful

a) Loved Toni Erdmann and Neruda, would be totally fine with The Salesman winning. Plus if he does I wonder if he could be the foreign auteur oscar regularly visits, given how long since Bergman and Fellini were that person. But I kinda just hope the oscars jettison any pretense of normality and go scorched earth political.

b) Oscar-hype ruining a film I now really enjoy? Hmm... Erin Brockovich? I like it now.

c) Isn't one of the seven ages of cinephilia recognizing you are allowed to have your own opinions about the canon? I haven't been able to get into Cabaret.

d) Jane Campion and Greg Frasier. Bright Star is awesome y'all and really underrated.

e) Larson instead of Negga, Blythe Danner instead of Larson, Ronan winning. Though I could imagine Vikander being campaigned as lead pretty easily, actually.

f) I would prefer it if the oscars were later, to be honest. Combine that with a longlist AND your minimum market/theatre rule and BAM, we've got some awesomeness.

February 7, 2017 | Unregistered CommenterArkaan

Agreed wholeheartedly on HUSTLE, it's brilliant. I think the bad buzz on David O. Russell didn't help people's perceptions on it either.

I would be very excited for THE SALESMAN, but my fear is that A MAN CALLED OVE could get the win despite being dreadful.

As a fellow depression-prone person, I have two useful pick me ups:
1) quality time with friends (but I'm quite extroverted, so that may not be helpful to all)
2) disco

February 7, 2017 | Registered CommenterChris Feil

I have chronic depression and exercise absolutely helps. Endorphins are amazing, and feeling good/in control of yourself physically goes hand-in-hand with feeling good mentally.

February 7, 2017 | Unregistered CommenterPhilip H.

a downward dog right in front of monty?? what a slap in the face!

if there more time in the world, all movies deserve a second watch - first impressions are swayed by what kind of mood you were in, however old you were at the time, etc

[although american beauty andtitanic will always be pile of crap no matter how many times you watch them]

depression: having an impossibly sweet, remarkably handsome psychologist helps a lot - but it does tend to make the time between appointments draaaaaag

February 7, 2017 | Unregistered Commenterpar

"Notice how the buzz just vanished from that race as soon as the high profile pics like Elle were discarded."

Despite how A MAN CALLED OVE is the worst movie nominated (yes, even worse than SUICIDE SQUAD), that foreign language category is really interesting, I feel. It kind of makes me angry when people think everybody should just love the big buzzy titles of the year. I'm super glad TANNA and SALESMAN are in there and everyone says LAND OF MINE is great and I am a big fan of TONI ERDMANN, which I think is better than ELLE or NERUDA. Oh well. People's loss if they don't seek them out because they're less cool or hip or whatever.

February 7, 2017 | Unregistered CommenterGlenn Dunks

http://variety.com/2017/legit/news/jake-gyllenhaal-sings-sunday-in-the-park-with-george-video-1201980351/

Jake Gyllenhaal singing "Finishing the Hat"

Can we get Todd Haynes to adapt Follies and Sunday in the Park with George for the big screen please? Kthanks.

February 7, 2017 | Unregistered CommenterArkaan

re: depression. From someone that lived through it.

This is something I realized I did afterwards - because as those who go through depression know, nothing in the moment is worth remembering.

So I realized that I took mental snap shots / memory frames of moments that generated a certain feeling - not necessarily one of happiness, but a feeling that made me feel alive or outside the moment, feelings of curiosity, distraction, elation, butterflies, positive stress, confidence. And everytime depression would hit hard, I would go back to that moment and relive it as an example of what I am capable of feeling. If it was there before, it will be there again. It could be the anticipation of a new movie, an election, a new word I discovered and had to look up, a TV show that was cancelled too early, a book I couldn't put down, an outfit that made me feel alive, anything. Doesn't matter. What matters is the range of emotions I felt in that moment, and therefore, the motivation I had to pursue it.

Another element that helps is routine: it may sound counterintuitive, but routine gives you a certain discipline that helps you look back and measure your own self against your goals and aspirations.

February 7, 2017 | Unregistered CommenterG.ShaQ

I agree about American Hustle and LA Confidential. Movies make me hate the oscar race a little bit because it skews the conversation so much. I wonder if I'll ever quit following it completely but i doubt it. Because it's EVERYWHERE.

February 7, 2017 | Unregistered CommenterTony T

Thanks for answering my question Nathaniel! I actually did not know/realize that about the change in film distribution (of course, I should have realized) and you're right of course, the studios would just wait until March to full release anyway.

Also: LOVE your tips for combatting depression.

February 7, 2017 | Unregistered CommenterSteph

On the topic of Toni Erdmann, it was just announced that they're making an English-language remake starring Kristen Wiig and JACK NICHOLSON. I haven't seen the original yet but am really looking forward to seeing Jack on screen again.

February 7, 2017 | Unregistered CommenterMDA

^^^I guarantee you the remake will be shorter than the original.

I usually hate this kind of remake, but that is INSPIRED casting.

February 7, 2017 | Unregistered CommenterPaul Outlaw

Thanks Nathaniel for answering my question - made my day!

1) I'd love the Oscars to move FORWARD - nominations around 10 January, awards around 1 February. Let the other award shows move forward if they want or - gasp - take place after the Oscars.

2) If Brie Larson vacated last year's Oscars I would have loved Saoirse Ronan to win. Or Charlotte Rampling (a boy can dream).

3) In terms of highly regarded classics, I'm not fond of UNFORGIVEN, BEN-HUR (1959), ROCKY, THE DEER HUNTER, THE TRUMAN SHOW, BEAUTY AND THE BEAST (1991)... to name a few. For Australian film, I never understood why NEWSFRONT is so beloved (the concept - yes; the execution - no).

4) The overhyped film I've learnt to appreciate is SILENCE OF THE LAMBS. I should probably revisit LOST IN TRANSLATION since I love Sofia Coppola's other films but LIT left me cold at the time (mainly because I'm allergic to Bill Murray's charms).

5) A MAN CALLED OVE is starting to look like a feel-good 'shock' foreign language winner. I agree TONI ERDMANN is probably more a critics' movie.

6) Exercise is a big help for my down days - even just going for a walk outside can clear my head and change my perspective. And upbeat pop music can really lift my spirits.

February 8, 2017 | Unregistered CommenterSteve G

Thank you for agreeing that Taraji is the rightful owner of that Emmy.
I think if Larson goes out last year then Alcia Vikander becomes a double nominee, with best actress for Danish Girl and supporting for Ex Machina. And she still probably wins the Oscar for Danish Girl.

February 8, 2017 | Unregistered CommenterTom

Thanks for answering my question!

I will freely admit to being cold towards Rosemary's Baby, Singin' in the Rain, and Annie Hall (though the latter is one I need to rewatch), and I straight up hate The Shining.

I wasn't thinking of the 90s when I said classic, but I suppose they count now, what with the movies being 20+ years old in some cases.

February 8, 2017 | Unregistered CommenterPoliVamp

Thank you for answering my question. I still wish Toni Erdmann wins (cause it's just bonkers amazing) but I would heartfully embrace it if Farhadi wins.
I also agree with American Hustle. Amy and especially Jennifer are breathtaking in that film.

February 8, 2017 | Unregistered CommenterCraver

Foreign Language:

Since I saw Land of Mine in December, I've been predicting it as the winner. Regular people do not like Toni Erdmann as much as critics did, Toni is extremely long, and Land of Mine is not only excellent but also about WWII and children, which are two favorite topics in this category. In a normal year, I think it'd win. The Salesman being nominated in the year of the Muslim Ban throws a wrench into my predictions, but I ultimately don't think enough people will just vote for it to make a statement. So I think I'll stick with Land of Mine. Like everyone else said, Ove is horrid and I refuse to believe that anyone would think it was the best in the category, though anything is possible.

(This reminds me: you list Land of Mine as a 2017 release in the Reviews section of TFE, but it was out for a week here in NYC in December 2016.)


Dissenting Opinions:

As for acclaimed movies that we're against, I loathed Up back in 2009 and Dallas Buyers Club in 2013. Both of them make heroes out of criminals. In Up, Carl's literally evading the law (meanwhile, the film kills off the scientist for just trying to prove an endangered animal's existence). In Dallas Buyers Club, Ron is peddling vitamins to dying men for thousands of dollars.

On the flip side, I was firmly against Million Dollar Baby at the time and now think I owe it a second look.

On a related note, I love Forrest Gump and never heard a bad word about it until I came to sites like this one (I'm from the South, where it's beloved).


Depression:

When I'm feeling down, I think about two moments: one, a time when I was feeling particularly down while traveling and ended up seeing a rainbow over a very famous wonder of the world; the other, seeing a show on Broadway where the singer sang a song that perfectly encapsulated how I felt that day. Recalling those moments where the universe was reaching out to me is a reminder of how great life can be.

February 8, 2017 | Unregistered CommenterEvan

Yeah! I am longtime American Hustle fan. I think every single actor in that movie deserved their nominations, I think the screenplay is terrific, I think Jennifer Lawrence kills it in a very Old Hollywood-ish way (not by being credible as a mom, but as being such a tornado of charisma). Amy Adams was brilliant and without Blanchett in that race she should have won.

I think David O. Russell is a sensational director who has been getting a backlash because Oscar started to notice him. You know, I love even Joy!

February 8, 2017 | Unregistered Commentercal roth

I really hope this Toni Erdmann remake doesn't come to light. That movie is perfection, you can't improve it.

Could you picture American actors doing 20-minute full frontal scenes?

February 8, 2017 | Unregistered Commentercal roth

I, too, think Saoirse would have won last year in that hypothetical scenario, and that's a nugget I like to hold onto. It was my favourite performance of the five nominated (Rampling a close second). What an actress Ronan is; she conveys so much with just her eyes.

February 8, 2017 | Unregistered CommenterEmma

Haha, I still hate AMERICAN HUSTLE personally, even though I do admire Amy Adams' strong work in it. Jennifer Lawrence's performance in it might be one of the most insufferable acting turns I've ever seen. So miscast.

February 8, 2017 | Unregistered CommenterEmma

Omg @arkaan Haynes doing Follies would be a dream...

Personally, I'd like to see Mike Mills or Steve McQueen so Sunday in the Park...

February 8, 2017 | Unregistered CommenterAndrew

Classics that do nothing for me – at least nothing positive – include “Arsenic and Old Lace”, “The African Queen” “Blazing Saddles”, “A Fish Called Wanda”, “Giant”, “Lawrence of Arabia” and “Yankee Doodle Dandy”. When I first saw “Casablanca” I was amazed at how little I liked it. And repeated attempts at rewatching it over the years have done nothing to change that. Minutes into it, I always find myself drifting away on a sea of torpor. Everything just seems so false in it. And - though I’m usually a sucker for doomed romances - I never for a minute buy into the Bogart-Bergman relationship. I happened to mention it a few weeks ago to someone, who surprised me by saying that, although they liked some of the picture, the whole Paris flashback part was abysmal. First time I ever encountered anyone who was at least partly on board with my assessment on this one. For the record, “Casablanca” director Michael Curtiz is the man behind a whole lot of movies that I do love (“Noah’s Ark”, “Mystery of the Wax Museum”, “Captain Blood”, “The Sea Hawk”, “My Dream is Yours”, “The Hangman” and more). And though I kind of understand “Casablanca” ‘s popularity on release (timeliness with WW2 headlines, two popular stars on the rise, so many other talents involved), its enduring reputation remains – for me - a puzzlement. Can it really all come down to the power of “As Time Goes By”?

February 8, 2017 | Unregistered CommenterKen

Toni Erdmann remains my favourite film of the year by a slim margin (I also adore Elle, Manchester by the Sea, Jackie and La La Land so much that I'm actually pained at the thought of having to decide which one is somehow better or worse than the others).

But yes, I remember even way back when I watched it with a hyper-enthusiastic (festival) audience that this is much more of a critics than a cross-over-arthouse movie.

I had a minor coronary just a few minutes ago when someone mentioned they're remaking it. But then I read the casting and suddenly I'm like, hm.... This might not be the worst thing that ever happened.

Nonetheless, for all my slavish Wiig devotion, I'm keeping expectations low-ish.


Also I'd be equally happy with an Erdmann or Salesman win. If Ade does manage to win though (I don't expect it), I hope she somehow manages to bring up in her speech how interesting the current American political situation is "from a German perspective".

February 8, 2017 | Unregistered Commentergoran

nathaniel, describing HIDDEN FIGURES as "super cute" is perfect. i also enjoyed it a lot. but i think its nomination count is more than generous. i love watching octavia, but she's no great actress and she has almost nothing to do in the movie. seems like there was just no consensus on that fifth slot in the supporting actress race. and for SAG to say that very broad group acting is the year's best is a little embarrassing.

and agreed that braveheart and forrest gump are the worst! (that just covers the filmmaking, let alone the very dangerous messages in both)

February 8, 2017 | Unregistered CommenterEric

Thanks Nat for anwering my Q I only guessed over the years you may have had troubles and down days/weeks,I have seen many counsellors and agree with your 6 tips but you left off visit TFE.

I mean it when I say this is a blog I visit daily and always find you a fantastic host.

When a films set in new york I wonder where you are in that big city when I watch it.

Did you ever watch that Stevie with Glenda Jackson VHS I sent years ago.

February 8, 2017 | Unregistered CommenterMARKGORDONUK

With the Academy schedule being what it currently is for years now, I still don't understand why studios simply don't release certain movies earlier in the year. I'm fully convinced that both Fences and Hidden Figures would have received larger nomination totals had each of them premiered in late summer/early fall of 2016 (not that they necessarily would have been deserving of more recognition per se). When one considers all of the tent pole films that failed both commercially and critically, counterprogramming could have seen a significant benefit.

More than any other classic, Gone with the Wind will continue to draw my frigid response for a litany of reasons which I don't feel like getting into.

I recall being ambivalent toward Gosford Park when I saw it in the theater initially, but now I find myself gravitating toward the film whenever it's on TV. It's more often the case, however, that my original dislike of a generously acknowledged movie remains long after the Oscar season ends -- I still hate A Beautiful Mind and Mystic River.

February 8, 2017 | Unregistered CommenterTroy H.

By the way keep the face fuzz.Mark.

February 8, 2017 | Unregistered CommenterMARKGORDONUK

logan 2017 is the most awaited hollywood movie in 2017.

February 8, 2017 | Unregistered CommenterAlia

And thank you kindly for answering my non-movie-specific question! :)

February 8, 2017 | Unregistered CommenterEmma

Gosh, Nathaniel and Eric. Hidden Figures is "super cute"? Respect your opinions (positive or negative), but those words don't seem appropriate given the subject matter of the film. Was it super cute to be a woman at NASA in the 50s and 60s? Was it super cute to be a black woman who had to walk a mile to use a restroom? Or super cute to worry about being pulled over by a police officer?

Feel-good movie, enjoyable, strong performances, whatever, but super cute? Nah.

(Sorry, feeling particularly prickly re anything female this morning. #LetLizSpeak)

February 8, 2017 | Unregistered CommenterPam

Rampling
Blanchett
Ronan
Lawrence
Larson

February 8, 2017 | Unregistered CommenterPeggy Sue

I agree that the Oscars should NOT be pushed back, instead I think the movies should be pushed forward. I think October & November is the way to go and I think Hidden Figures suffered in the noms count by not coming out earlier, particularly since it has proved such a hit. I don't think it would have had more acting noms, but I'm pretty sure that score and production design and costumes would have been in play, pushing it into the 5 to 6 noms count and making it seem like a more serious contender.

I'm appalled! In a casual sort of way :-) at people not liking things like Singin In The Rain and Annie Hall (both utterly fun and brilliant), but then again, I've never been able to make it through Treasure of the Sierra Madre despite repeated attempts. Even a couple of "gay" classics like Lana Turner's Imitation of Life leave me bored or bewildered.

February 8, 2017 | Unregistered CommenterDave in Hollywood

Pam - Appropiate art criticism? That sounds creepy as hell. Respectful, tip-toeing art criticism is a horrible thing.
And a film's qualities is one thing, the subject matter and eventual true story is something completely different. But if we have to bring the women portrayed in the film into this: they were scientists. Scientists are all about facts and truth so I imagine that they would be all for no nonsense art criticism.

February 8, 2017 | Unregistered CommenterGena

I don't get it - what is it about the "qualities" of Hidden Figures - apart from the subject matter - that make it "super cute"?

February 8, 2017 | Unregistered CommenterSuzanne

I don't get the love for Neruda. It`s really boring.

February 8, 2017 | Unregistered Commenterdan

Echoing the writer of the last question: your writing cheers me up and gives me a nice respite from our currently nightmarish reality. Your work is appreciated!

February 8, 2017 | Unregistered CommenterRebecca

Pam, sorry if I offended. Obviously none of the realities the women went through during that time were super cute. I wasn't talking about the content but rather the approach of the filmmaker. Everything is directed with two eyes on the audience at all time...everything is for effect, to make an audience feel a certain way, and not to challenge them in any complex or uncomfortable way about complex and uncomfortable issues/situations. That's not a terrible thing, and I think HF is thoroughly enjoyable and I was very moved by the story and angry that I had no prior awareness of it. But the cute montages of the girls dancing, the hilarious convenience that they always together in the same room watching TV at key moments, that embarrassingly corny marriage proposal, etc keep the movie at a safe distance as a movie. The very painful stakes of the movie are always portrayed very lightly and in a cute "movie reality". Of course just in my opinion, but wanted to explain why I used those words and apologize if I made light of that great story of those AMAZING women.

February 8, 2017 | Unregistered CommenterEric

Critically beloved film I'm cold towards: Moulin Rouge. I don't know why I don't love it, I really should, but it's an irritating mess of a film.

Oscar darling film I didn't like at the time, but on re-visit now I love it: The Artist. It's perfect. I really don't know why I hated it at the time. I now agree it deserved the win that year, no question.

February 9, 2017 | Unregistered CommenterJB

It's a really good movie. I remember my state of depression that I could only get out of with the help of specialists. It all started with a state of constant anxiety and I had no idea what to do. A friend recommended Visit site and I listened to it. And I have no regrets at all, thanks to online therapy I got back to my previous state.

November 27, 2022 | Registered CommenterSusan Schindler

Tactics for overcoming depression can be different for everyone. But as a rule, visiting a psychologist has a positive effect. I have a personal psychologist and, if necessary, he gives me online consultations. But periodically he rents an office https://members.australiacounselling.com.au/consulting-rooms-for-rent/ and I visit him there. And as a rule there are a lot of people who want to visit him.

December 9, 2022 | Registered CommenterSimon Gartz
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