Wednesday 4 November 2015

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 1995: Sam Neill in Restoration

Sam Neill did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying King Charles II in Restoration.

Restoration is a disjointed though still effective film about the phases in the life of one doctor Robert Merivel (Robert Downey Jr.) during a period of restoration in England.

Sam Neill plays the man partly responsible for the restoration, In simplest terms restoration of the monarchy in England after the rule of Oliver Cromwell, who in fact had Charles's father, Charles I, executed. Charles II comes into the film through his invitation to Merivel to possibly help one of his beloved companions a Spaniel. Charles was known as the merry monarch and this is what Neill plays into in his earliest appearances of the film. Neill is probably best known for rather serious minded characters so it is interesting to see him take on Charles. Neill is actually incredibly charismatic in the role and has the sort of presence needed for such a King. Neill has this grand quality about him that would only fit a royal upbringing, as he acts as though he is on a separate ground than anyone else, well because he kind of is being King and all. What's so special about what Neill does is he's not unlikable in the role. The charm he finds within the King's behavior quite abundant, and he becomes the eccentric and lovable sort of rouge the merry monarch needs to be. A man who obviously probably spends too much on his personal excesses, but Neill makes you really like the man anyways.

It also needs to be said that Neill gives a performance that is simply fun to watch as he realizes so well the indulgence eccentricities about the King. Again the character easily could have come off as a repulsive man whose personal excess is something off-putting. Neill goes with it in a way though that makes the man only endearing. This shown particularly well in his central attachment to Merivel which is to make him a false husband for one of his mistresses, in order to satisfy another one of his mistresses. Again Neill is just splendid because he somehow makes Charles request seem quite reasonable and fair, even though it is only for his own selfish purposes. The thing is though that the film never blames Charles or even depicts him in really even an unsympathetic light. Neill makes this completely work with his performance though, because he manages to make Charles that larger than life figure he needs to be to allow a certain contradiction. That being it is only Charles's family that technically makes him anything more than any other man, but that winning personality that Neill creates so well more than makes up for anything questionable the man might do.

Neill finds just the right tone for his work, that also manages to work within the tone of the film which wavers between light comedy and drama. Neill is very entertaining in the role, but once again, even though Charles probably should just be a joke, he never comes off as one, once again due to Neill. As much as Neill great at being that lovable rouge, he makes Charles worthy of being a King as well. Neill exudes a strong command, even within the character's certain flamboyance, that is worthy for a ruler of a country. Neill very naturally has this even part of Charles when he is speaking completely unimportant things such as that his prize dog will no longer call back to him. Neill though is excellent in the way that when a situation calls for it, the true King in Charles becomes all the more evident. When Charles actually has to actually get something done, such as setting Merivel straight, Neill is striking as he delivers that authoritative control out of the situation without question, and the most important part is Neill makes seem from that very same man who was heartbroken over his dog. Neill is especially effective when this side of Charles reveals itself late in the film where he essentially fixes everything for Merivel. Neill is fantastic in the scene because he brings such a warmth within that powerful determination the man has essential for a great King. Neill does not even have that many scenes, being completely absent for a large chunk of the film. Charles II is never forgotten though as Neill makes such an impact in the the time that he does have, in his portrait of the man that frankly was worthy of an entire film.

119 comments:

Psifonian said...

He's so good in this. Really fun.

I love that there are so many great performances of English royalty in '95.

Anonymous said...

Louis: Who would be your cast and director for:
The Godfather (30's version)
The Dark Knight (40's version)
The Deer Hunter (40's version)
The Departed (40's American Version)
Lord of War (50's version)

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Your Cast and Director for a 2010s UK version of Infernal Affairs/The Departed.

Anonymous said...

Luke: I bet Fassbender/Hardy are the good and bad cop.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: I think it's gonna be:
Good Cop: Hardy
Bad Cop: Fassbender

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: The crime boss is almost certainly gonna be played by Ray Winstone.

Anonymous said...

Luke: And who is going to play Madolyn? Perhaps Mulligan?

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: Either her or Rebecca Hall for me.

Wahlberg/Baldwin - McAvoy/Capaldi
Winstone (French) - Mark Strong

Anonymous said...

Luke: I'm going to take a wild guess that Douglas and Lancaster are Louis' choices for an American version of The Departed in the 40's.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: I second that.

Michael McCarthy said...

For 40's Deer Hunter I'd like to see Robert Mitchum in the De Niro role, Kirk Douglas in the Walken role, and Joel McCrea in the John Savage role.

Michael McCarthy said...

Also how about this for 40's Dark Knight...

Bruce Wayne: Ray Milland
The Joker: Richard Widmark
Harvey Dent: James Stewart
Gordon: Van Heflin
Rachel: Donna Reed
Alfred: Donald Crisp
Lucius: Sydney Greenstreet

Directed by Otto Preminger

ruthiehenshallfan99 said...

Michael: Ray Milland as Batman? So down for that!

Anonymous: I would totally find a way to put Vivien Leigh in one of those movies!

Anonymous said...

ruthiehenshallfan99: Do you really think that Vivien would be a good fit for those films?

ruthiehenshallfan99 said...

Anonymous: Cameo maybe.

Robert MacFarlane said...

Louis, baby, pal, amigo, could you be a friend and up Neill to at least 4 for The Piano now? Please? PLEASE?!

Anonymous said...

Robert: Are you seriously asking Louis to upgrade him to a 4?

Robert MacFarlane said...

Yep, just in a silly way. I do really love his work in The Piano. I think it's a great, complicated portrait of a well-meaning bully.

Louis Morgan said...

The Godfather (30's directed by Michael Curtiz):

One must go old Hollywood style in terms of casting due to the lack of prominent Italian American actors at the time.

Vito: John Barrymore
Michael: James Cagney
Sonny: Humphrey Bogart
Tom: Pat O'Brien
Clemenza: Lionel Barrymore
Tessio: Edward G. Robinson
Kay: Olivia DeHavilland
Connie: Ida Lupino
The Turk: John Carradine
McCluskey: Victor McLaglen

I'm afraid Fredo stumped me.

The Dark Knight (40's version):

I'd support Michael's choices.

The Deer Hunter (40's version):

William Wellman directed. I'd take Mitchum and Douglas though I would opt for Dana Andrews for Savage's role.

The Departed (40's directed John Huston)

Costigan: Douglas
Sullivan: Lancaster (Yep)
Costello: Edward G. Robinson
Queenan: Barry Fitzgerald
Dignam: Edmond O'Brien
French: William Bendix
Madolyn: Ava Gardner
Barrigan: Anthony Quinn
Ellerby: Lee J. Cobb

Lord of War (50's version directed by Elia Kazan):

Yuri: William Holden
Vitaly: James Dean
Jack Valentine: Karl Malden
Ava: Grace Kelly
Weisz: Alistair Sim

Luke:

The Departed (2010's UK)

I'll take the choices listed with Hardy as Costigan, Fassbender as Sullivan, Hall as Madolyn (it's her specialty), Capaldi as Ellerby is too good to pass up, though I'd opt for Liam Cunningham as French, and Colin Farrell as Dignam. With Bob Hoskins as Costello (with the film clearly having been made in 2012) Just to round everything out elder Gleeson as Queenan, and the younger Gleeson as Barrigan.

Louis Morgan said...

Robert:

Hey, I preferred him over Billy Zane in Titanic isn't that enough?

Robert MacFarlane said...

*puppy dog face*

ruthiehenshallfan99 said...

Louis: A big yes to Ava Gardner. Now to find the perfect movie in which Vivien Leigh would fit in were it made during her lifetime.

Michael Patison said...

Louis: What if you were to make that UK Departed now. Who'd take Hoskins' place?

Also, what about Ralph Bellamy for Fredo?

Psifonian said...

Hey Louis, do me a favor: save Richard Jenkins in "Bone Tomahawk" for review. He is a close #2 to Rylance for me thus far this year.

L Rime said...

Well, I've never been a huge Bond fan but I will go see Spectre despite its mixed reviews. I won't be able to go for a couple of weeks, so leading up to it, I'm gonna watch some Bond films I haven't seen yet. You guys got any suggestions? I'm not gonna be able to watch all of them, that's why I'm asking.

I'm watching On Her Majesty's Service first, but I'll have time for a few more. Most likely three, but I'm hoping to get a fourth one in there too. I've seen all the Craig and Brosnan movies, despite only really liking a couple of them, but everything before Brosnan is fair game.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Have you seen Mississippi Grind and Bone Tomahawk yet, If so, can I have your thoughts on the films and ratings and thoughts on the casts.

Psifonian: Jenkins was excellent and would like to see a review for him too. :)

Anonymous said...

Louis: I know you gave me your cast and director for The Departed in the 1930's, but I actually wanted your cast and director for the film in the 1930's Pre-Code. By the way, who would also be your cast and director for Goodfellas and Lord of War.

Anonymous said...

Louis:...in the 1930's, that is.

Anonymous said...

ruthiehenshallfan99: Macbeth with her and Olivier.

ruthiehenshallfan99 said...

Anonymous: She received a lot of praise for he Lady Macbeth on the stage, so I would really have liked to see that on film. Also, today is her birthday, so I am quite happy. I would also have liked to see her in film noir and more comedy.

Luke Higham said...

Everyone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anvGUW-vsLE

Robert MacFarlane said...

ARRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGHHHHHHH

Luke Higham said...

Robert: :)

Michael McCarthy said...

My advice to everyone: Start watching that trailer at 1:12 and stop at 1:15.

Anonymous said...

Luke: This is going to be an epic fail.

ruthiehenshallfan99 said...

Luke: Never saw the first one. Probably won't see this one either.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: I don't doubt it one bit. :)

Here's to get rid of the poisonous taste out of everyone's mouths.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=juaP_vRyIGY

Anonymous said...

Luke: Thanks. I'm even more hyped for The Hateful Eight more than ever.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: I'm feeling even more confident about my rating predictions, I'll be quite surprised if Roth didn't get a 4.5.

Anonymous said...

Luke: So, do you think that it's possible for Leigh to get nominated?

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: She's a strong possibility, yet it's not clear until the film's release whether or not she might get nominated.

For the moment, my prediction for Supporting Actress is:
1. Mara
2. Vikander
3. Winslet
4. Fonda
5. McAdams
Other Possibilities
6. Leigh
7. Walters

Calvin Law said...

Man Jackson got a hell lot more screentime than everyone else. I wonder if the rumours are true that he's going to be considered for co-lead?

I'm most excited for Leigh, but Jackson, Dern, Roth etc. all excite me too.

Calvin Law said...

My prediction is:

1. Mara
2. Vikander
3. Leigh
4. Walters
5. Bonham Carter

Luke Higham said...

Overall Supporting Actress
1. Cotillard
2. Vikander
3. Leigh
4. Byrne
5. Blanchett

Calvin: I think Debicki's gonna get a 4.

Michael McCarthy said...

I think Joan Allen might make it in for Room, she's picking up a lot of momentum. I really hope Fonda gets snubbed.

Luke Higham said...

For The Overall, I'll replace Blanchett with Allen.

Omar Franini said...

Saw both Youth and Spotlight:

For Youth:
Fonda: 3 nice cameo, only 7 minutes but not as great as i excepted
Caine: 4
Keitel: 4,5
Dano: 3
Weisz: 3,5

For Spotlight
Ruffalo: 4,5/5
Keaton: 4,5/5
McAdams: 3,5
Schreiber: 4
Slattery: 4
Tucci: 3,5

The hateful eight trailer was great; that was what people have to expect from a Tarantino movie, I think Jackson is leading, Russell supporting as is Leigh

Anonymous said...

Luke: Blanchett in supporting? Seriously?

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: I meant Cinderella, not Carol or Truth. :)

Anonymous said...

Luke: Oh.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: Blanchett will make the top 5 for Lead, with her performance in Carol. In terms of Fives, the best-case scenario for Lead Actress is 7.

Anonymous said...

Luke: I'm well aware that she will make the top five in Lead.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: :)
How many Fives would you predict for each category.
Supporting Actress - 3
Supporting Actor - 7
Lead Actress - 7
Lead Actor - 8

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: I'm gonna see Brooklyn tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

Luke: I think we already did this, but okay.
Lead Actor- 8
Supporting Actor- 7
Lead Actress- 7
Supporting Actress- 2/3

Anonymous said...

Luke: I presume these are the ones you think will get fives from Louis?
Leonardo DiCaprio in The Revenant
Michael Fassbender in Macbeth
Johnny Depp in Black Mass
Ian McKellen in Mr. Holmes
Abraham Attah in Beasts of no Nation
Matt Damon in The Martian (At this point, anything's possible)
Jason Segel in The End of the Tour (I changed my mind, he could get a 5)
Tom Hardy in Legend

Luke Higham said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: Yes, Well Done. :)

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: Rank the Star Wars films.
1. The Empire Strikes Back
2. A New Hope
3. Return Of The Jedi
4. Revenge Of The Sith
5. The Phantom Menace
6. The Clone Wars (2008 Animated)
7. Attack Of The Clones

Anonymous said...

Luke:
1. The Empire Strikes Back
2. A New Hope
3. Return of the Jedi
4. Revenge of the Sith
5. The Phantom Menace
6. Clone Wars
7. Attack of the Clones
So, a remake of Whatever Happened to Baby Jane has been announced with Streep and Spacek.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: I'll see it for Spacek.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: Can I have your thoughts on each film in the Star Wars saga.

Anonymous said...

Luke: So will I. But I don't expect that it will be that great or even good. It will simply be mediocre, with Spacek being the best thing about it.
Spacek- 4,5
Streep- 2,5

Anonymous said...

Luke:
The Empire Strikes Back: Best film in the entire Star Wars saga. Perfect in every single way.
A New Hope: A great film, not as good as TESB.
The Return of the Jedi: The weakest film of the original trilogy, but still enjoyable.
Revenge of the Sith: Best film of the prequel trilogy, although that's not saying much.
The Phantom Menace: Ehhhh.....
Clone Wars: Just....no.
Attack of the Clones: Worst film of Star Wars.

Anonymous said...

Luke: These are the leading female performances you expect to get a 5 from Louis?
Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara in Carol
Carey Mulligan in Suffragette
Saoirse Ronan in Brooklyn
Alicia Vikander in Ex-Machina (Oh...wait)
Brie Larsen in Room
??????????
Supporting:
Marion Cotillard in Macbeth
Jennifer Jason Leigh in The Hateful Eight
Alicia Vikander in The Danish Girl

Anonymous said...

Luke: *Are these

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous:
Alongside Mulligan's performance in Far From The Madding Crowd.
Larson
Mara
Blanchett
Ronan
Vikander (The Danish Girl)
And Rampling
For Supporting, alongside Vikander's performance in Ex Machina.
Cotillard
And Leigh

Anonymous said...

Luke: Your prediction for Louis' top 15 leading and supporting male performances of 2015 and their respective ratings.

Anonymous said...

Luke: Let me guess, you don't even know your own prediction?

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: I'll do each category.
Supporting Actress (Top 10)
5
1. Marion Cotillard in Macbeth
2. Alicia Vikander in Ex Machina
3. Jennifer Jason Leigh in The Hateful Eight
4.5
4. Rose Byrne in Spy
5. Joan Allen in Room
6. Cate Blanchett in Cinderella
4
7. Kate Winslet in Steve Jobs
8. Elizabeth Debicki in The Man From U.N.C.L.E.
9. Jessica Chastain in Crimson Peak
3.5
10. Elizabeth Banks in Love & Mercy

Supporting Actor
5
1. Tom Hardy in The Revenant
2. Mark Rylance in Bridge Of Spies
3. Benicio Del Toro in Sicario
4. Idris Elba in Beasts Of No Nation
5. Michael Keaton in Spotlight
6. Samuel L. Jackson in The Hateful Eight
7. Kurt Russell in The Hateful Eight
4.5
8. Mark Ruffalo in Spotlight
9. Oscar Isaac in Ex Machina
10. Josh Brolin in Sicario
11. Richard Jenkins in Bone Tomahawk
12. Tim Roth in The Hateful Eight
13. Nicholas Hoult in Mad Max: Fury Road
14. Domhnall Gleeson in The Revenant
15. Matthias Schoenaerts in Far From The Madding Crowd
Rest Of the 4.5s
Will Poulter in The Revenant
Bruce Dern in The Hateful Eight
Michael Sheen in Far From The Madding Crowd
Christoph Waltz in Spectre
Peter Sarsgaard in Black Mass (He might go up)
Oscar Isaac in Star Wars: The Force Awakens

Lead Actress
5
1. Brie Larson in Room
2. Rooney Mara in Carol
3. Cate Blanchett in Carol
4. Charlotte Rampling in 45 Years
5. Carey Mulligan in Far From The Madding Crowd
6. Alicia Vikander in The Danish Girl
7. Saoirse Ronan in Brooklyn
4.5
8. Carey Mulligan in Suffragette
9. Charlize Theron in Mad Max: Fury Road
10. Bel Powley in Diary Of A Teenage Girl
11. Lily Tomlin in Grandma
12. Emily Blunt in Sicario
13. Blythe Danner in I'll See You In My Dreams
14. Alicia Vikander in Testament Of Youth
15. Jennifer Lawrence in Joy
Rest Of The 4.5s
Daisy Ridley in Star Wars: The Force Awakens
Mia Wasikowska in Crimson Peak
Cate Blanchett in Truth

Lead Actor
5
1. Leonardo DiCaprio in The Revenant
2. Ian McKellen in Mr. Holmes
3. Michael Fassbender in Macbeth
4. Matt Damon in The Martian
5. Tom Hardy in Legend
6. Johnny Depp in Black Mass
7. Jason Segel in The End Of The Tour
8. Abraham Attah in Beasts Of No Nation
4.5
9. Tom Courtenay in 45 Years
10. Joel Edgerton in Black Mass
11. Jason Bateman in The Gift
12. Tom Hardy in Mad Max: Fury Road
13. Ben Foster in The Program
14. Ben Mendelsohn in Mississippi Grind
15. Jacob Tremblay in Room
Rest Of The 4.5s
Michael Fassbender in Steve Jobs
Tom Hanks in Bridge Of Spies
Daniel Craig in Spectre
Jesse Eisenberg in The End Of The Tour
Domhnall Gleeson in Ex Machina (Again, he might go up)
Paul Dano in Love & Mercy
John Cusack in Love & Mercy
Bryan Cranston in Trumbo

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: I only have the free Google Docs version, which wouldn't let me copy and paste my predictions. That's the reason for the delay.

Anonymous said...

Luke: Top 10 Shakespearean performances and top 10 Worst Best Actor winners?

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: In no Particular Order.
Shakespearean
Ian McKellen in Richard III (My Favourite)
Laurence Olivier in Richard III
Laurence Olivier in Hamlet
Kenneth Branagh in Hamlet
Derek Jacobi in Hamlet
James Mason in Julius Caesar
John Gielgud in Julius Caesar
Ben Whishaw in Richard II
Kenneth Branagh in Henry V
Jon Finch in Macbeth

Worst Best Actor
Sean Penn in Mystic River and Milk
Tom Hanks in Philadelphia and Forrest Gump
Jamie Foxx in Ray
Spencer Tracy in Captains Courageous
John Wayne in True Grit
Roberto Benigni in Life Is Beautiful
Wallace Beery in The Champ
Gary Cooper in Sergeant York

Anonymous said...

Luke: Who would be your winner for 1949 Supporting? I don't think I asked you this before.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: It's a tie between Guinness and Welles.

Anonymous said...

Luke: What about 1948 Lead? Bogart (Sierra Madre) or Olivier (Hamlet)?

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: Bogart

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Can we get the Wiseau Bonus Round sooner rather than later.

Anonymous said...

Luke: What about 1955 Best Actor? Who is your winner?

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: Olivier, though I love Mitchum's work as well.

Anonymous said...

Luke: The awards in 1965 really loved Harrison's performance...

Luke Higham said...

*Supporting Actress
9. Phyllis Smith in Inside Out

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: I actually like his performance in My Fair Lady, but It would've been great if Sellers won for that year.

Anonymous said...

Luke: Personally, I never understood what's so great about his performance, not bothering to sing, but then again I am not a big fan of musicals. I personally prefered Howard/Hiller to Harrison/Hepburn.

Luke Higham said...

I really want the Braveheart guys to come next.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: I preferred Pygmalion as well and Leslie & Wendy were both great.

Anonymous said...

Luke: What is your rating for Harrison in MFL?

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: Don't worry, it isn't a high rating and I will admit that I have a bit of a soft spot for the film.
Harrison - 3.5/4

Anonymous said...

Luke: You don't need to. I wouldn't get offended.

Anonymous said...

Luke: I don't need to worry, that's what I should have said.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: Thanks. :)

Luke Higham said...

Saw the current RT score for Spectre and It blows my mind, that it's lower than Quantum Of Solace.

ruthiehenshallfan99 said...

Luke: To be honest, I gave Harrison a 5. But he might go down to a 4.5 or 4, which is where Audrey Hepburn is now. Also, based on a conversation we had before, I am not surprised that Hanks is in the bottom ten for you (I believe it was about how soon I should watch ceratin films I had in which someone was nominated). Though I am shocked you have him as your 3rd and fourth worst.

Luke Higham said...

Ruthiehenshallfan99: The list was in no particular order and if wasn't, Hanks' performance in Forrest Gump would be my #10 and he's a pretty low 3 for me.

Anonymous said...

Luke: Don't take Rotten Tomatoes too seriously. :)

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: I don't either or even Metacritic for that matter, but it still boggles my mind.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: Spectre is far more enjoyable than Quantum Of Solace.

Louis Morgan said...

Michael Patison: Then I'll take Winstone.

I suppose Bellamy could have possibly handled Fredo's part in the first one, but I'm not so sure about II.

Psifonian:

Will do.

L Rime:

Definitely On Her Majesty's Service, great Bond film even if it does not have a great Bond.

For Connery:

Dr. No
Goldfinger
and especially From Russia With Love

For Moore:

None. Even the better ones I can't get into just because of how dull of a presence he has. I'll admit I might have had the most fun watching his later ones because of how bad they are, although in that case they must be watched in kind of a group setting, alone would not do.

For Dalton:

Both of his films are interesting but also so messy tonally. I can't flat out recommend either.

For Brosnan:

GoldenEye

For Craig:

Casino Royale
Skyfall
Although I personally like Quantum more than most.

Luke:

I should note I moved Theron up to a five after I re-watched Mad Max again. I'll try to make the Wiseau round sooner.

I'm going to try to watch Bone Tomahawk soon.

Mississippi Grind - (I kind of loved it actually. I just really found the dynamic between the two fascinating as well as found them to be quite the endearing pair to go on a journey through every sort of bet. I will admit that I'm kind of a sucker for a good story set in the gambling world, but I found this to be a very strong example of it. I liked how it showed the appeal of the world while still revealing its dangers without ever feeling like it is sermonizing on the evils of gambling. I can see why one might hate the ending, but since I liked the characters so much I was fine it.)

I'll save Mendelsohn.

Reynolds - 4(This is in his wheelhouse but a strong example of it. Reynolds always seems to border between being genuinely charming and kind of smarmy, but here he fell on the right side of things. In addition though he actually managed to attach this to his character realizing the character's certain vulnerabilities well, and most importantly striking up some believable chemistry with Mendelsohn which was rather essential to the film.)

Anonymous:

I think the pre-code can stand with the post-code actually.

Goodfellas (1930's directed by Lewis Milestone)

Henry: Wallace Ford
Jimmy: Victor McLaglen
Tommy: James Cagney
Karen: Jean Harlow
Paulie: George Bancroft

Lord of War (1930's directed by William Wellman)

Yuri: Paul Muni (Pre-Code Muni)
Vitaly: Lew Ayres
Jack Valentine: Joel McCrea
Ava: Barbara Stanwyck
Weisz: Frank Morgan

Anonymous said...

Luke: I'll see Spectre whenever I get the chance. But I'm sure that it's better than Quantum of Solace. BTW, it looks like Rylance made a movie with Sean Penn.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: I'm so pleased that you liked Mississippi Grind, saved Mendelsohn and happy as hell that Theron's up to a five.

Anonymous said...

Louis: Apparently, Groucho Marx wanted to play Rod Steiger's role in The Pawnbroker and James Mason was also considered as well. What do you think of this?

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: The critical reception and Sean Penn has put me off from watching it.

Anonymous said...

Luke: It's funny how Mr. Penn is a method actor, yet he has no sense of subtlety.

Anonymous said...

Luke:...with the exception of Dead Man Walking and Thin Red Line.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: One of the worst acted oscar scenes of all-time is his portrayal of grief, whenever the body of his daughter's found in Mystic River.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: I agree with you on that.

Anyway, Goodnight. :)

Anonymous said...

Luke: What a painful scene to watch, isn't it?

Robert MacFarlane said...

I'm a little more mixed on Penn than anyone else here. I have the capacity to like him quite a bit sometimes (I honestly love him in Milk), but yes he does go too far sometimes. And yes, his work in the-film-that-shall-not-be-named is truly bottom of the barrel.

Anonymous said...

Luke: Goodnight. :)

Calvin Law said...

I quite liked Penn in Mystic River, actually. It's his work in the likes of I Am Sam and Milk which really irritates me.

Also, re-watched Spectre tonight and I've bumped Craig up to a 5, and Seydoux up to a 4.5.

Louis Morgan said...

Anonymous:

Mason was always good so he probably would have been great. It certainly would have been interesting to see if Marx could take on that role.

RatedRStar said...

I kind of have a soft spot for Milk for obvious reasons but I still have to say I think Penn is a mostly terrible actor and I am very glad you took that original 1995 win away from him, that is probably my second favourite change from the original rankings you did just behind Cagney.

Anonymous said...

As expected, By The Sea is a big flop. Look at RT, 2x1 to negative reviews. It's not much, true, but the few lines I read from the rotten reviews, it seems like it's doomed already. Not that I think RT is really a good source in terms of meausring quality, but this time I think I shall agree with them.

Robert MacFarlane said...

The Twitter reaction to By the Sea has been a resounding "lol no".

Anonymous said...

Louis: What are your full thoughts on The Big Country as a movie? And what rating would you give it overall?

RatedRStar said...

Louis: You remember The Big Country, its that film where Burl Ives blew Charles Bickfords head clean off, and then he walked home offscreen =D, thats how I remember it ending

Louis Morgan said...

Robert:

I feel if the director was anyone but Jolie they'd already be written off by now, at least in terms of being an awards player.

Anonymous:

RatedRStar's version is pretty awesome but the real version I do not care for. Most of the film I find to be pretty bland with Peck's character simply being uninteresting, which unfortunately componds quite poorly with the excessively stoic Peck. The story itself is excessively standard for a western, with no real vibrancy in the direction to make anything stand out past that. In fact Wyler makes some really odd choices such as when a heroic theme is used for villains marching off to cause a slaughter. The saving grace of the film is Burl Ives. The film actually might have been considerably better if his on-screen rival was more charismatic, but Bickford plays the part in such a boring fashion. I think there was suppose to be more of an actual conflict, but there is never a moment that you do not support Ives. Anything with Ives actually works as he realizes his character past just a paper thin archetype. He gives the film its only worthwhile moments, some he manages to make even quite powerful. These even are somewhat muted though do to the film's bloated length, and the fact that his character gets quite an underwhelming exit. Ives is indeed great, but the film is not. I'd give it a 2.5.

Anonymous said...

Louis: I know you haven't seen all of the Stewart-Mann Westerns, but what are your ratings for the ones you've seen? I also know that you love The Great Escape, but is it a 5-star film for you?

Anonymous said...

Louis: I know you haven't seen all of the Stewart-Mann Westerns, but what are your ratings for the ones you've seen? Since you already told me your thoughts on The Great Escape, is it a 5-star film for you?