Tuesday 22 December 2015

Alternate Best Actor 1962: Laurence Harvey in The Manchurian Candidate

Laurence Harvey did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Staff Sergeant Raymond Shaw in The Manchurian Candidate.

The Manchurian Candidate is an effective thriller about a two men being brainwashed by communists with being forced to commit nefarious deeds in order to control the U.S. government from within.

Laurence Harvey plays the central pawn to this plot Raymond Shaw, though Frank Sinatra's Captain Marco is also given ample time who begins to uncover the scheme due to a recurrent nightmare. Harvey's part here is a rather thankless role actually, but it is an interesting one to examine to see what exactly Harvey does within these certain limitations. The first challenge of the part is in the character of Raymond Shaw, who is suppose to be unlikable, which is very important to the plot since one of the things that tips Marco off that something is wrong is that the brainwashed army unit have all been forced to recite how great of a guy Shaw. Well Harvey certainly fulfills this need of the part as he plays much of the role in a very distant and almost viciously cold manner. He makes Raymond like a sharpened stone as he seems unwavering in his manner yet there is something most unpleasant in this determination. This is the right approach though not only to fulfill that plot point, but also Havery utilizes it to show where Raymond has come from. In his scenes with his horrible mother (Angela Lansbury) and his step father we see how Raymond would have become this way.

Harvey's very good in making such a considerable anti-chemistry of sorts in his scenes with his "parents". Harvey plays it as though Raymond is always on the attack with them as he is quite aware of how despicable they both are, and really he does not even know the half of it. Harvey makes Raymond at his most raw here as his searing anger is a constant in his interactions with them, and even when it is just his mother talking Harvey is very effective in the way that he shows that Raymond is pained by her very presence. Harvey makes this as almost a transference in his interactions with everyone else as at the very best he's a bit distant, and at the worst he still seems a bit hostile as though his upbringing has left him at a constant unease with everyone. The only relationship we see that is opposed to this is Raymond's romantic one with the daughter of one of his stepfather's staunchest opponents. This scenes are done in an almost an excessively simple way, which works as a contrast to the details of the main story, but Harvey uses them well. Harvey brings a sincere happiness in Raymond in these scenes, that almost has a certain timid quality to it as though Shaw not only is new to it, but almost does not quite know what to say when dealing with this new experience.

Now of course Raymond purpose in the film is being used as an agent for the communists to commit their plot, which is actually spearheaded by his own mother. These scenes may seem standard enough in portraying just the detached zombie who carries out orders. Harvey does handle them well by never making it seem corny but rather chilling in depicting the single minded yet blank manner of Raymond as he carries out the orders no matter how brutal they may be. Even when Raymond kills it is nothing but a straight forward act as though he is opening a door. This might seem like a minor detail but Harvey uses it brilliantly in his last scene of the film, which also the best scene of the film. As it seems Raymond is still programmed to carry out the assassination which will put his stepfather in power. Suddenly as Raymond is pulling the trigger though Harvey suddenly reveals something that had been lacking in all the other kills, an emotional fury in his eyes, as it becomes clear Raymond is of his own will as kills those who had always been using him instead. Harvey makes the final seconds of his performance surprisingly heartbreaking as he reveals Raymond finally in full control of himself though only to be in the horror that his mother has put him. There is a satisfaction that Harvey reveals at their deaths as well as relief, though also a terrible grief as Raymond is well aware of what his life has been. The moment is swift yet the power of it is palatable due to Harvey so successfully finding the cruelty behind the use of a man as simply a tool.

358 comments:

1 – 200 of 358   Newer›   Newest»
Anonymous said...

Louis: He was great. What is your rating and thoughts on Sinatra? Is this the best you've seen from him?

Calvin Law said...

Excellent performance though I can see why you've held off a 5 for him. He would be a worthy nominee/even winner in many years for me but for 1962 where the 5-man front of O'Toole, Courtenay, Peck, Nakadai and Stewart, with Lemmon foose behind, is near impossible to crack.

MRRIPLEY said...

What did you make of Meryl in the remake.

Anonymous said...

MRRIPLEY: Streep - 3.5(She's no Angela Lansbury who just was perfect for the part. The problem is Streep kinda forces comparison as she takes basically the similair approach with the part. The main difference is she goes a little louder in some certain scenes, and creates just a less memorable version of the character. I still think she is solid as the cold evil mother, even if her performance feels a bit on the nose)

Luke Higham said...

RatedRStar: Your ratings for The Force Awakens cast.

I saw it again and have boosted Ford and Ridley to 4.5s. Boyega's probably my favourite of the cast and Driver's performance keeps getting better for me.

Anonymous said...

Luke: So, what did you think of The Hateful Eight as a film? And ratings for the cast.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: I got to the 80-something minute mark. You'll definitely have those thoughts before I go to bed. :)

Anonymous said...

Luke: Perhaps DDL will do another biopic that will give him another Oscar, who knows. :)

Matt Mustin said...

Louis, what's your rating and thoughts on Douglas Seale in Ernest Saves Christmas?

Anonymous said...

John Smith: I'm watching 'The Revenant' and so far Hardy is the most impressive of the bunch

Luke Higham said...

John: That doesn't surprise me. :) Hardy's terrific and it's a bit of a shame that he's probably gonna be overlooked again.

Anonymous said...

John Smith: It is sad since he is such a revelation... Can't believe that this is the same guy who was in Tinker Tailor Soilder Spy. I have not seen the entire film. Only 47 minutes and already he is a 5.

Love how relatable Fitzgerald is so far. During that 'scene' he actually asked for permission and got it when he blinked.

Luke Higham said...

John: Best not reveal anymore, for Louis' sake. :)

Anonymous said...

John Smith:

Luke: Yes (:

Anonymous said...

John Smith:

The Revenant:

Leo: 4.5
Hardy: 5
Gleeson: 3.5 or 4
Will Poulter: 4.5

Calvin Law said...

I think I might bump Leo down to a 4.5 for the timebeing like I've done for Craig. Nothing negative I've detected about their performances, but was perhaps just being too generous. They could go up again.

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: Is Depp up to a 5 again.

Calvin Law said...

Luke: He always was but now he's a solid 5.

Luke Higham said...

My Overall Predictions for Lead & Supporting
Lead: McKellen/Rohrig/Fassbender/

Supporting: Del Toro/Rylance/Hardy

Calvin Law said...

My unquestionable 5's are McKellen, Damon, Segel, Fassbender (Macbeth), Hardy (Legend). Attah and Depp are solid 5's. At this point Craig, DiCaprio, Edgerton, Eisenberg and Boyega are all close to 5's, with Boyega perhaps being closest.

Robert MacFarlane said...

Frankly Depp hasn't really stuck with me at all. Like, I think the online backlash to his performance is ridiculous, but I barely remember anything from Black Mass at all.

Calvin Law said...

I wouldn't be surprised it Hardy does a Laurence Olivier and wins in Lead and comes second in supporting. The more I think about it, Hardy's performance in Legend is exactly the sort of performance Louis will love.

Calvin Law said...

Robert: I get what you mean. A similar thing has happened to me for Tom Courtenay in 45 Years.

Robert MacFarlane said...

I'm gonna keep pushing the Jason Bateman train. Still my win, still think he's WAY better than he gets credit for.

Luke Higham said...

Robert: Bateman's my #11.

Calvin Law said...

My rankings after my top 7 are all quite muddled so I'll leave my placement of Bateman off till then.

Robert MacFarlane said...

Frankly I don't really think Damon was that impressive in The Martian. Far from bad, but that movie's draw was more what it said about the ingenuity of science for me. Plus I liked the supporting cast more.

Luke Higham said...

My Final Review predictions
Lead:
DiCaprio
Fassbender (Steve Jobs)
Redmayne
Damon
Depp
McKellen
Fassbender (Macbeth)
Rohrig
Hardy (Legend)
Segel
Attah
Tremblay
Mendelsohn
Bateman
Dano

Supporting:
Rylance
Stallone
Elba
Shannon
Keaton
Del Toro
Hardy (The Revenant)
Jenkins
Hoult
Goggins
Jackson
Cohen
Tucci
Schreiber
Isaac

Calvin Law said...

So at this point we know the wins for the following are:

Robert: Bateman/Powley/Cohen/?
Luke: McKellen/Mara/Del Toro/?
Michael McC: Segel/Larson/Hoult/Vikander (for now)
Moi: McKellen/Mara/Del Toro/Vikander

Anyone else? :)

Calvin Law said...

Luke: If he reviews Dano, I hope Cusack is reviewed alongside him. Starting to feel he's being severely underrated.

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: Ridley's his pick now for Lead Actress.

Calvin Law said...

Robert: We'll just have to agree to disagree then :) Although I do seem to like Damon a great deal more than most people on here.

Robert MacFarlane said...

Right now it's Bateman/Ridley/Cohen, but I need to think about Supporting Actress. I need to decide whether I consider Banks and Vikander Lead or Supporting, I keep switching both of them. Either would be my win.

Calvin Law said...

I think Boyega id just on the verge of a 5 for me now. Hope Ridley will be too on rewatch.

Calvin Law said...

My predictions for Louis' ratings:

Lead:
DiCaprio (5)
Fassbender (Steve Jobs) (4/4.5)
Redmayne (4)
Damon (4.5)
Depp (4.5)
McKellen (5)
Fassbender (Macbeth) (5)
Rohrig (4.5/5)
Hardy (Legend) (5)
Segel (5)
Attah (4.5)
Tremblay (4.5/5)
Mendelsohn (4.5)
Bateman (4.5)
Dano (4.5)

Supporting:
Rylance (5)
Stallone (5)
Elba (5)
Shannon (3.5)
Keaton (4.5/5)
Del Toro (5)
Hardy (The Revenant) (5)
Jenkins (5)
Hoult (5)
Goggins (5)
Jackson (5)
Cohen (5)
Tucci (4.5)
Schreiber (4.5)
Isaac (4.5/5)

Luke Higham said...

Calvin:
Lead:
5s
DiCaprio
Damon
McKellen
Fassbender (Macbeth)
Hardy
Attah
Rohrig
Segel
4.5/5
Depp
Tremblay
4.5
Mendelsohn
Bateman
Dano
4
Fassbender (Steve Jobs)
Redmayne

Supporting:
5s
Rylance
Hardy
Del Toro
Jenkins
Elba
Hoult
Goggins
Jackson
4.5/5
Keaton
Stallone
Cohen
4.5
Isaac
Tucci
Schreiber
3.5/4
Shannon

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: Are you pleased that the fives record from last year (17) will be broken this year.

Louis Morgan said...

I saw Legend, and apparently I liked it more than most seem to. There's a greater film waiting to break out of the film, but I still found what was there was good for the most part. It does struggle to figure out what the exact story it wants to tell though. I thought most of the scenes directly between the brothers were quite great actually. It's not perfect but I feel that too often crime films if their not Goodfellas they're treated as complete failures. It's not as good as Goodfellas, or close to being that good, but I don't think it is a failure. By the way its production design is being really under praised.

Anonymous:

Sinatra - 4.5(His performance only strengthened for me re-watch. I think he's very good in the scenes of just trying to decipher the plot doing well just to slowly convey the fear, and paranoia in Marco as he tries to plot it all together. Then he is simply great in the scenes in revealing Marco's own trauma on the train, and he's outstanding in the final scene particularly his defeated final words of "hell, hell")

Matt:

Seale - 4(Ignore what film he is in so to speak, because Seale does not find sharing the screen with Ernest any reason to not give it his all as Santa Clause. Seale absolutely is sweetness incarnate in his scenes as he manages to be someone you only think good could come from, and has this wonderful warmth about everything he does. There is such an earnestness (no pun intended) that he rises above the film he's in, he'd be a great Santa Clause no matter what film it happened to be.)

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Are you saving Hardy.

Louis Morgan said...

Luke:

Do you need to ask?

Luke Higham said...

Louis:
YESSSSSSSS! You Loved Him. :)

Ratings & Thoughts on the rest of the cast.

Anonymous said...

My rating predictions:
Lead
DiCaprio: 5
Damon: 4,5/5
McKellen: 5
Fassbender (Macbeth): 5
Hardy: 5
Attah: 5
Rohrig: 4,5/5
Segel: 5
Depp: 4,5/5
Tremblay: 4,5/5
Mendelsohn: 4,5
Bateman: 4,5
Dano: 4,5
Fassbender (Steve Jobs): 4/4,5
Redmayne: 4

Supporting:
Rylance: 5
Stallone: 4,5
Elba: 5
Shannon: 3,5/4
Keaton: 4.5/5
Del Toro: 5
Hardy (The Revenant): 5
Jenkins: 5
Hoult: 5
Goggins: 5
Jackson: 4,5
Cohen: 4,5
Tucci: 4,5
Schreiber: 4,5
Isaac: 4,5

Anonymous said...

Louis: Bronson was considered for Hackman's role in A Bridge Too Far. Do you think he should have been chosen instead of Hackman?

Louis Morgan said...

Luke:

I actually think there is a slim chance, very slim I'll admit, for him to get double nominated at BAFTA.

Browning - 2.5(I think another actress could have brought more it her role. I just always felt she was overshadowed by Hardy, and I think someone else could have potentially made something a bit more memorable out of the role. I thought the narration was one of the weakest elements of the film, well except for the lack of promised Roy Oribson of course, and she did not help that facet.)

Egerton - 3(Rather liked what he did with the part in his few scenes as I felt you could really see his and Ronnie relationship just within their usually silent interactions with one another)

Thewlis - (Once again doing what he always seems to be doing these days)

I actually rather liked Palminteri and Bettany, I wish there had been much more of them.

Anonymous:

I'd have to yes.

Anonymous said...

Louis: If Bad Lieutenant was made in the 50's, would Bogart be a great choice for you?

Calvin Law said...

I think a good choice for Browning's role would've been Holliday Graninger. I didn't dislike Legend, rather I didn't think much of anything in it not directly involving Hardy's double performance.

Calvin Law said...

Luke: Of course :)

Calvin Law said...

BAFTA Predictions

Actor:
Redmayne
DiCaprio
Fassbender (hopefully Macbeth, more likely Steve Jobs)
Hardy (Legend)
McKellen/Segel

Actress:
Smith
Blanchett
Ronan
Larson
Rampling

Supporting Actor:
Elba
Rylance
Tremblay
Del Toro
Dano

Supporting Actress:
Vikander
McAdams
Mara (FRAUD)
Cotillard
Allen

Anonymous said...

Calvin: I see more chances of McKellen being nominated than Segel.

ruthiehenshallfan99 said...

Does anyone know what Louis gave Laura Linney in Mr. Holmes?

Anonymous said...

ruthiehenshallfan99: He gave Linney a 2.

Louis Morgan said...

Anonymous:

Yes, if we're talking the Keitel one.

Calvin:

Forgot the Fraud banner on Tremblay, which is even greater than Mara's (which is really saying something). Have they switched Segel's campaign? Though BAFTA can switch categories on someone(which they did for Winslet for The Reader). It will be interesting to see if they buy Mara's placement. Also Dev Patel was nominated in lead (laughable as that is in terms of quality)there despite being campaigned supporting so if they love room they could throw Tremblay where he belongs category wise.

ruthiehenshallfan99:

With all the standard mother roles she's given these days, that's one Emily Watson really should have played.

Luke Higham said...

The Hateful Eight
Jackson - 4.5/5
Russell - 4
Leigh - 4.5/5
Goggins - 5
Bichir - 3
Roth - 4
Madsen - 2.5
Dern - 4
??? - 3.5
A very good effort from Tarantino, though his style's wearing a bit thin on me.

Anonymous said...

Louis: So what ratings would you give to Wayne, Mitchum and Burton in The Longest Day?

Calvin Law said...

Saw Creed instead of room and adored it in the same way I loved Skyfall, and The Force Awakens; a new, nostalgic take on a tried and tested formula that nevertheless worked wonders for me. Also Stallone is my new win for the year--words I never thought I'd say. Jordan is a pretty easy 5 for me too. I'll elaborate more later but every moment of it worked so well for me, and if you've seen it there's THAT scene which I think is perhaps, the most awesome scene of the year thus far.

It's my number 5 of the year now behind Carol, Brooklyn, The Martian and The Force Awakens.

Revised Actor rankings

Lead
1. McKellen
2. Damon
3. Segel
4. Fassbender
5. Hardy
6. Jordan
7. Attah
8. Depp
9. Boyega
10. Craig/DiCaprio/Eisenberg

Supporting
1. Stallone
2. Del Toro
3. Hardy
4. Rylance
5. Elba
6. Schoenaerts
7. Hoult
8. Cohen
9. Isaac
10. Brolin

Calvin Law said...

Actually, Ford over Brolin.

Calvin Law said...

Louis: We'll see. Category confusion this year is genuinely confusing me.

RatedRStar said...

I think Tom Hardy will get recognised at Bafta for The Revenant, to be fair the Baftas are biased towards Brits and that is just a fact coming from someone who lives there lol.

Luke:

Boyega (4.5)
Ridley (4.5)
Driver (5)
Ford (4)
Fisher (3.5)
Gleeson (3.5
Serkis (2.5)
Issac (3.5)
Christie (N/A) I am just happy she is there lol.

Anyway have a lovely Christmas everyone =D.

Luke Higham said...

Spotlight's on Putlocker.

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: Are you confident in Stallone getting a 5.

Calvin Law said...

Yes. Very.

RatedRStar said...

Currently watching Spotlight, very interesting and gripping just as I hoped it would be.

Matt Mustin said...

Is Sinatra lead or supporting in this?

Anonymous said...

Matt: I would say he's co-lead along with Harvey.

Anonymous said...

John Smith: Merry Christmas from Sweden (:

Calvin Law said...

Definitely lead.

John: You too ooh didn't know you guys celebrated on the 24th! :)

Luke Higham said...

Steve Jobs
Fassbender - 4
Winslet - 4
Daniels - 4
Rogen - 3
Waterston - 3
Stuhlbarg - 3.5

Louis Morgan said...

I saw the Danish Girl, I did not care for it.

Anonymous:

Honestly I'd have to watch this film again just to narrow in on the performances, as like something like Black Hawk Down they mostly melded together as just fine.

Matt:

co-lead.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Thoughts on the film, with ratings & thoughts on the cast.

Robert MacFarlane said...

Tell, how much tacky wallpaper was in this Tom Hooper joint?

Calvin Law said...

Oh dear.

Louis Morgan said...

Hooper needs to go back to television because John Adams is still by the far the best he's done. With Les Miserables I felt he was saved, to an extent, by the inherent power of the source material, the King's Speech by the lovely script, Hooper does not have that benefit this time which is a major problem. In his direction he once again relies on his odd, and ineffective old tricks again which do little more than distract. I suppose more distraction could have been needed due to the weakness of the screenplay. The titular character only defining trait is the desire to be a woman, they really find nothing else of note for the character other than that. Interestingly enough it felt very much like Steven Hawking where basically the only thing you learn about the person is what you already knew. This time though the performance....well I guess that will have to wait. All the other supporting characters are paper thin. That leaves only Gerda, which I guess I'll get to more on in a second.

Vikander - 4(She is lead, though the fraud is not as severe as some, though still fraud. Vikander reminded me of Felicity Jones's performance in Theory of Everything in once again she does not have that much of a role but she manages to be engaging within the limits of being the supportive yet distressed wife. She actually brings some much needed emotional substance to her role, and I only wish the film had allowed her to explore a more complex character as well as a more substantial relationship to work with. It is all kept to simple, but to Vikander's credit she does manage to bring out a bit of poignancy from the story despite how constricted it all feels)

Schoenaerts - 3(He does everything he can to make something out of his character who seems almost encased in a mystery that has no reason to exist. There's not much but Schoenaerts brings a nice bit of a charm)

Whishaw - 2.5(Wasted, he's okay, but they just don't give him anything to do.)

Louis Morgan said...

Robert:

Don't worry there's plenty.

Michael McCarthy said...

Huh, I'm getting the impression you were actually less impressed by Redmayne than I was.

Anonymous said...

Louis: For a premake of The Pledge in the 60's, would you say Cagney would be a great choice for the lead role?

Anonymous said...

So 2015s chances of having the best ever best actor category are pretty much dead?

Alex Marqués said...

Louis, how would you rank your 20 favourite movie performances from the 00s?

Robert MacFarlane said...

@Anonymous: They were never that strong to begin with. Frankly I've found the main Best Actor field pretty damn weak. Probably the worst year for leading men in 15 years.

Calvin Law said...

Anoymous + Robert: Agree if we mean the contenders for the Oscar, disagree if we're going beyond that.

Of the prime 5 contenders most likely to get in (DiCaprio, Damon, Fassbender, Redmayne, Depp/Smith), well I've yet to see Concussion and The Danish Girl, but Damon is the only one who I'd consider truly great. Depp was excellent, DiCaprio is good but is beginning to wane quite a bit for me, and Fassbender was lacklustre (and once again, is being nominated for the wrong role).

However overall Best Actor I think has been an amazing category. McKellen is in my top 20 all-time, and Damon, Segel, Fassbender (Macbeth), Hardy (Legend) and Michael B. Jordan have all in my opinion given masterful performances. Add in the very good work of Boyega, Attah, Depp, Craig, Bateman, Eisenberg, Edgerton, Pacino, etc. and you have yourself quite the year.

Anonymous said...

John Smith:

Calvin: Jason Bateman should be added as well. It is remarkeble what he managed to with his character in 'The Gift'

Luke Higham said...

John: He's great and would be really surprised if Louis didn't review him.

Robert MacFarlane said...

I've mentioned before how I'm very much on the Bateman train.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: When do you think you'll be seeing The Revenant.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Can I have your thoughts on Ford, Fisher and Driver (Rating as well) in The Force Awakens.

Michael McCarthy said...

You don't think he might be saving Driver?

Luke Higham said...

Michael: If he is, I'll be extremely happy. :)

Luke Higham said...

RatedRStar: Your thoughts on Boyega, Ridley, Ford and Driver.

Anonymous said...

Luke: So I decided to watch Steve Jobs instead of The Hateful Eight. It is a film that has its moments and its flaws.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: Ratings for the cast. I must admit, the third act didn't really do it for me.

Anonymous said...

Luke
Fassbender: 4
Winslet: 4
Daniels: 4
Rogen: 3/3,5
Waterston: 3
Stuhlbarg: 3.5
All I can say is that I hope that Fassbender gives his best performance of this year with Macbeth.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: I've no doubt, especially with Michael's recent comments.

Anonymous said...

Luke: This might not be Michael's best performance of the year, but I'm glad that he has chances of getting a second nomination with it.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: For Fassbender, two reviews is two reviews, so I'm really not bothered with him getting nominated for this role either.

Anonymous said...

Luke: I could see Rylance get a second nomination with Spielberg's next movie The BFG.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: I've seen the teaser and CGI performances don't get nominated, I'm afraid. :(

A good thing about Fassbender being nominated for Steve Jobs, is that I requested Rohrig and if it were to be the opposite, it would not have happened. :)

Anonymous said...

Luke: Oh yeah, I forgot that it was CGI! Yeah, you're right. People still go on how Serkis should have been nominated for Gollum.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: I doubt the academy's attitude towards CGI performances will ever change.

Anonymous said...

Luke: I think that Serkis should stop with motion capture performances for a while.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: He's playing Caesar, which I'm completely fine with though he needs to do more stuff like Longford, SDARAR and BBC's Accused.

Luke Higham said...

*He's playing Caesar again

Luke Higham said...

*SADARAR

Anonymous said...

Luke: I've heard a recording of Florence Foster Jenkins (Streep's next biopic) singing, and my God, she's awful.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: Is there a link to it.

Anonymous said...

Luke: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtf2Q4yyuJ0

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: Streep's Miscast. :) Joking aside, Streep's a pretty good singer and I've actually got a slight interest for this one.

Anonymous said...

Luke: Which classic actors and actresses have the best voices to you?

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: Talking or Singing.

Anonymous said...

Luke: Talking. Top 10 (in no particular order), by the way.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous:
Connery
Lee
Irons
Rickman
Freeman
Olivier
Welles
Mason
Caine
Earl Jones
A. Hepburn

Anonymous said...

Luke: So who do you think might be next to be reviewed?

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: Mitchum's more likely to get a 5 than Mifune, so I guess he'll be coming next, then Jimmy, Toshiro and Oskar.

Anonymous said...

Luke: So here's a little game. Can you guess the names of some actresses who use Method acting?

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: Meryl, Cate, Tilda and Glenn.

Anonymous said...

Luke: Nope. They aren't method actresses, they are classic trained.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: I'd best watch Spotlight and The Danish Girl tonight, as I'm gonna be extremely busy tomorrow.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: I really thought Meryl was method, Oh well, tell me. :)

Anonymous said...

Luke: Here's some actresses who are method actresses: Monroe, Winters, Page, Stanley, Bancroft, Spacek, Remick, Jason Leigh and Woodward.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: And Jane Fonda.

Anonymous said...

Just saw Macbeth. Its major flaw is that it's too rushed until the coronation, and it compromises the final result, I think.

Fassbender - 4 (I didn't find him quite convicing with Macbeth's inner conflicts - his line delivery in that monologue right before LM convinces him top murder Duncan is quite bad, too rushed, I couldn't help remembering Jon Finch's perfect delivery at Polanski's version. But after the coronation he's very good, and his body language and facial expressions are great from beginning to end - it's almost an opposite of Jon Finch's performance overall).

Cotillard - 4.5 (verging on a 5, I would like to rewatch it. She's consistent at being the incentivator, but is truly terrific when starts to regret the results of what she's done and to lose control of her husband. By the end I felt her arc was better handled than Fassbender's, even though her screen time doesn't help her. And it's a mystery for me how Jane Fonda and Kristen Stewart get awards recognitions while Cotillard is practically forgotten, she's way better than both of them, and, for now, my #2 supporting actress of the year, just behind Vikander in Ex Machina).

Debicki - 3.5 (it's basically one scene, but, boy, isn't she heartbraking on it!?)

Harris - 3

Considine - 3

Thewlis - 3

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous #2: You almost gave me a heart attack, I thought you were Louis for a second. :)

Anonymous said...

Luke: Mitchum is easily a 5 for me in Cape Fear.

Anonymous said...

Luke: Since Mason is one of your favorite actors (mine as well), how many wins do you give him?

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: Bigger Than Life, Cross Of Iron and have him tied with Brando for '54.

Anonymous said...

Luke: Who are overall your choices for Best Actor 1950-1959?

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous:
1950 - Mifune
1951 - Sim
1952 - Ikiru
1953 - Holden/Clift
1955 - Olivier/Mitchum
1957 - Guinness
1958 - Stewart
1959 - Stewart

Luke Higham said...

*1952 - Shimura

Luke Higham said...

Louis: If you think Caine and Keitel are out of the running, then can I have your ratings & thoughts on them.

Calvin Law said...

I thought Fassbender's line delivery was pitch perfect in Macbeth actually, and I've generally had lots of problems with his vocal work in films. I thought he garbled his way through portions of Twelve Years a Slave and the X-Men films, and unconvinced me with his 'accents' in The Counselor, to an extent Steve Jobs and Shame, but Macbeth and Prometheus stand as two films where everything he chooses with the voice of the character is just sublime.

Anonymous: He is for me too and in fact, the closest actor to breaking my solid top 5 for Lead 1962.

Also my own choices for 1950 to 1959 just to interject:

1950 - Stewart
1951 - Sim
1952 - Shimura
1953 - Holden
1955 - Borgnine
1956 - Douglas
1957 - Guinness
1958 - Stewart
1959 - Stewart

Luke Higham said...

Spotlight
Ruffalo - 4
Keaton - 4.5/5
McAdams - 4
Schreiber - 4.5
Slattery - 3.5
d'Arcy James - 3.5
Tucci - 4.5/5
Sheridan - 3/3.5
Crudup - 3.5
My #6 of the year.

Louis: If you were to choose between Schreiber and Tucci, I hope you go with the latter.

Luke Higham said...

Merry Christmas Everyone. :)

Calvin Law said...

Merry Christmas :)

Anonymous said...

Merry Christmas. :)

Matt Mustin said...

Louis, what's your ratings and thoughts on Jack Palance in Batman?

Anonymous said...

To the anonymous who previously said that he was suprised by Kristen Stewart's accolades for Clouds of Sils Maria, I actually think she's amazing in it - a smart, subtle, nuanced performance.

Calvin Law said...

Re-watched TFA. I think it's now a tie between Ford and Boyega for my MVP, though Ridley is very close behind.

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: Are you gonna watch Spotlight soon.

Luke Higham said...

Don't know about you Louis, but Tucci's work in Spotlight reminded me a bit of Sutherland's in JFK.

Calvin Law said...

Luke: I'll wait till January. Finding trouble to muster enthusiasm to see it which is weird. Might be because I've seen people using the film to lambast Catholicism as a whole, which is just a bit in poor taste I find.

Tucci being Sutherland-esque intrigues me though (GDSAO!)

Calvin Law said...

Watching the clips intrigues me most shout Schreiber though.

Calvin Law said...

Pawn Sacrifice: solid thriller, nothing exceptional but I liked it a great deal. Also Tobey Maguire is FANTASTIC.

Maguire: 4.5/5
Schreiber: 4
Sarsgaard: 4
Stuhlbarg: 2

ruthiehenshallfan99 said...

Merry Christmas from Michigan!

Luke Higham said...

Louis: If you're seeing The Revenant tonight or tomorrow, then could I have your thoughts on it and ratings & thoughts on the cast.

Anonymous said...

Luke: I finally watched The Hateful Eight. It was pretty good, though not as good as Tarantino's other efforts.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: Ratings for the cast.

I'm in the middle of watching The Danish Girl, so those ratings will be up by tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

Luke:
Russell: 4
Leigh: 4,5/5
Jackson: 4,5/5
Roth: 4
Dern: 4
Bichir: 3
Madsen: 3

Anonymous said...

Oh, and Goggins is a 5.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: I've decided on what my next request is gonna be.

Anonymous said...

Luke: Oh, really? What is your next request?

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: Orson Welles in Chimes At Midnight.

Anonymous said...

Luke: I think Louis would give him a 4,5 or something for that performance.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: I'd probably agree. Welles has called the film his best work and that's pretty much why I'd like to request him.

Anonymous said...

Luke: I would like Louis to see Geraldine Page in Trip to Bountiful.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: Don't worry, he's been dying to see that performance for awhile. :)

Anonymous said...

Luke: There's a very strong chance that he will prefer Page over Goldberg.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: It's extremely likely in my opinion.

Anonymous said...

Luke: If I win this prediction, I'll probably request Ryan in The Set-Up or Mitchum in The Friends of Eddie Coyle.

Anonymous said...

Luke: Lolita was the film that made me into a Mason fan. What was yours?

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: It was probably The Desert Fox.

Anonymous said...

Luke: It's such a shame that underused actors such as Keitel and Buscemi make movies with Sandler.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: I'm actually quite tempted to watch The Ridiculous 6, (Some of the reviews I've read are hilarious) though it's sad seeing Keitel and Buscemi in their current situation.

Calvin Law said...

So...ranking my Best Actor winners just became that much harder...

Saw Missisipi Grind. The film itself was fine and enjoyable, but I though Ben Mendelsohn gave a performance for the ages. It's every bit as revelatory as watching Oscar Isaac in Inside Llewlyn Davis a few years ago, seeing a solid supporting player blossom so well as a leading man.

He's DEFINITELY a 5. I just need to figure out where he ranks on my list. McKellen is still my win but that's about the only certainty.

Luke: That scene with Mendelsohn and Analeigh Tipton, is one of the best scenes I've seen all year.

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: I can't understand why I didn't give him a 5 initially, the piano scene is just amazing to watch. :)

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: I guess you want him reviewed as much as I do. :)

Louis Morgan said...

Merry Christmas I watched two films...unfortunately neither were the Hateful Eight or The Revenant.

Instead I watched Joy and Concussion....eh.

Anonymous:

He would have been great.

Alex:

1. Naomi Watts - Mulholland Drive
2. Viggo Mortensen - The Road
3. Marion Cotillard - La Vie En Rose
4. Mia Kirshner - The Black Dahlia
5. Charlize Theron - Monster
6. Brendan Gleeson - In Bruges
7. Casey Affleck - The Assassination of Jesse James
8. Heath Ledger - The Dark Knight
9. Ulrich Mühe - The Lives of Others
10. Guy Pearce - Memento
11. Daniel Day-Lewis - There Will Be Blood
12. Christoph Waltz - Inglorious Basterds
13. Ray Fiennes - In Bruges
14. Ed Harris - History of Violence
15. Ray Liotta - Narc
16. Ray Winstone - The Proposition
17. Colin Farrell - In Bruges
18. Nicole Kidman - Dogville
19. John Carroll Lynch - Zodiac
20. Emily Watson - The Proposition

Luke:

I'd really like to watch the film again for them, particularly Driver.

I'm saving them until the nominees are out. I think it is possible that Youth could make a surprise with the Academy.

Matt:

2.5 - (He's fine in a very standard role, and does the mean gangster routine well enough.)

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Thoughts on the films & ratings and thoughts on the casts.

Luke Higham said...

I personally really, really hope Driver gets reviewed.

Luke Higham said...

For my review predictions, I'll exchange Schreiber with Driver.

Louis Morgan said...

Luke:

Well there's certainly plenty to talk about in regards to Driver.

Joy was the opposite of what it's title suggests as it basically is a series of David O. Russell style caricatures that are even thinner than usual around the character of Joy. I was not a fan of American Hustle, but his whole "eccentric" characters routine here was even more grating than I felt it was there. The relationships were so poorly developed, and there was just too many quirks for its own good. I thought it was kind of terrible actually.

Lawrence - 3.5(She's miscast once again, and her Italian American accent is only used briefly in some random scenes like she suddenly decided that she should probably do one. With that being said she's easily the best part of the film and this time avoids going into O. Russell antics like she did last time, at least giving any sort of depth that she can find for her character. Now this is even with the film basically either having her being frustrated at the nonsense of those around or having her scenes where she stands up for herself that seems so contrived in giving her "Oscar scenes". Now in both of these types of scenes she delivers well enough, though not enough that her work becomes truly any substantial, and she does not overcome her miscasting really)

I guess I'll wait on De Niro, but I really don't want to. Hopefully he's not in the running.

Madsen - 1(A grotesque caricature as her whole performance she stays bug eyed, and every moment of her performance is just an excessive as well as absurd one note. Of course I don't think she was helped by the writing or the direction, but her work here is actively grating.)

Rossellini - 2.5(There's no character for her to really grasp on to just some "nice" oddball moments like listing off her husbands financial rules. She is not able to find much depth to her part, though it feel as though she tries, and she's not really entertaining in terms of portraying the character with these odd limits)

Ladd - 3(Has nothing to offer but warmth though I do think she does this well all things considered)

Rohm - 2(She fails to really make any of the relationships more that surface level interactions, and she also just feels excessive in portraying just the most overt elements of the role. Again not in an entertaining way either)

Ramirez - 3(Russell wants him to be a caricature too but he fights against it well enough to develop an effective enough chemistry with Lawrence though it still doesn't add up to much.)

Cooper - 3(Almost hilarious in just how subdued he is when compared to his performance in his last collaboration with Russell. Cooper usually is better when he tones it down, and I actually felt his performance worked for the most part. In addition his part did not have to be more complex, and Cooper made it work within its limits well enough. Again nothing too much of note, but he's more than decent)

Louis Morgan said...

Concussion I thought actually was an engaging enough procedural for the first hour, though it does something that I found questionable last year with The Imitation Game as well. That being social awkwardness is shown to be a colorful endearing trait, which is kind of the opposite of what it should be, this time though the performance...darn it. Anyway the problem with the film is that after that first hour it runs out of things to say but there's still an hour left in the film. It probably should have given Dave Duerson more of a focus, since what happens with him is the climax of the film, yet in the film's structure it feels just a bit random as though it is just a way to wrap things up.

Baldwin - 3(He's actually good in portraying his character's guilt and passion to rectify his mistakes, though I feel they could have done more with his character, Baldwin does well with what he has)

Mbatha-Raw - 2.5(She's only allowed to be supportive, she does this well but it just doesn't add up here)

Brooks - 3(Mostly there to do some exposition from time to time but Brooks is good in giving the character the right sardonic edge adding a needed bit of humor and energy to the film)

Morse - 3.5(He's rather moving in his brief scenes in portraying the mental mess that his character has become and I only wish the film had bothered to really give the time to fully tell the story of one of the players instead of just giving some quick "highlights")

Akinnuoye-Agbaje - 3(Tries his best, but it makes it seem like Morse's scenes are long in comparison. His scenes are ridiculously rushed, he tries to keep up but can't quite make it)

Luke Higham said...

RatedRStar: Your thoughts on Adam Driver in The Force Awakens.

Alex Marqués said...

Thanks Louis, that's a great list and I completely agree with your number one.

Anonymous said...

Louis: Ratings and thoughts on:
Patricia Arquette, Dennis Hopper, Valeria Golino and Sandy Dennis in The Indian Runner
David Niven in The Pink Panther
Laird Cregar in Heaven Can Wait
John Wayne in She Wore A Yellow Ribbon and Lee Marvin in The Big Red One (Just your thoughts, I know they're both 4,5's)

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Are you going to see The Revenant this weekend.

Anonymous said...

Luke: Finally watched The Force Awakens. Pretty entertaining film.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: Ratings on the cast and your thoughts on Boyega, Ridley, Driver, Ford, Isaac and Gleeson.

Since everyone here on the blog has seen it, your thoughts on the Han/Kylo scene.

Anonymous said...

Luke:
Boyega: 4,5
Ridley: 4,5
Driver: 4,5
Ford: 4,5
Fisher: 3,5
Gleeson: 3,5
Serkis: 2,5
Issac: 3,5/4
Nyong'o: 3,5

Anonymous said...

Luke: I'd say it was one of my favorite scenes of the entire film.

Michael McCarthy said...

Am I the only one who thought Fisher was kind of phoning it in in TFA?

Luke Higham said...

The Danish Girl
Redmayne - 3.5
Vikander - 4
Schoenaerts - 3
Whishaw - 2.5

Robert MacFarlane said...

I too saw The Danish Girl after an hour and a half drive under the assumption that I would be seeing Macbeth.

... Tom Hooper must be stopped.

Luke Higham said...

Louis' completely deterred me from watching Joy, so I'll be watching In The Heart Of The Sea and Concussion instead.

Anonymous said...

Luke: To me, Concussion has Oscar-bait written all over it. Will Smith wants that Oscar so bad.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: I'm kind of interested in the subject matter, though I hardly expect much from Smith.

Anonymous said...

Luke: I watched Spotlight. Great, great film.
Ratings:
Ruffalo: 4,5
Keaton: 4,5/5
McAdams: 4
Schreiber: 4,5
Tucci: 4,5
Slattery: 3,5
d'Arcy James: 3,5
Sheridan: 3,5
Crudup: 3,5

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: I'm glad you enjoyed it. :) I'm pleased there's gonna be a worthy winner this year.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: For the 2015 reviews, who'd you suggest out of Schreiber and Tucci.

Robert MacFarlane said...

Are me and Psifonian really the only two who thought Ruffalo was pretty weak in Spotlight?

Anonymous said...

Luke: I don't know about that. The two were so great that Louis could review them both. But if I have to suggest just one, I would suggest Tucci.

Calvin Law said...

Saw Spotlight too, and despite finding it a thoroughly engaging procedural I still am rooting for Carol to win. It'd be my #10 of the year.

Ruffalo: undecided. I agree with Robert and Psifonian that he REALLY overdid some of the mannerisms and tics but he also had some incredibly affecting scenes.
McAdams: 4
Keaton: 4.5
D'Arcy James: 3.5
Schreiber: 4
Tucci: 4/4.5
Slattery: 3.5
Crudup: 3.5/4

Calvin Law said...

Such is the strength of supporting this year that Keaton just barely cracks my top 10.

Calvin Law said...

And even then I'm torn between bumping him down a bit and Tucci up, because I thought Robbie's scenes in general were good but nothing incredible whereas Tucci's scenes were my favourite in the film, I need to think about whether it's the writing or the performance.

Also Schrieber really reminded me of Jason Robards in All the President's Men here, even more so than Slattery.

mcofra7 said...

I would agree with Psifonian and Robert regarding Ruffalo's performance. Mannerisms have worked for him before (Zodiac and Foxcatcher) but in Spotlight he was just too much. I much preferred Keaton, Tucci, and Schreiber.

Luke Higham said...

Christopher Nolan's next film could possibly be based on the Evacuation Of Dunkirk.

Luke Higham said...

Suffragette, Trumbo and Diary Of A Teenage Girl are on Putlocker.

Louis: Can you watch Suffragette, just for Mulligan.

Calvin Law said...

I'm actually kinda intrigued by Trumbo.

Robert MacFarlane said...

Trumbo looks like something specifically made to make me vomit.

Anonymous said...

Watched Carol and Room. Great films.
Carol:
Blanchett and Mara: 5
Chandler: 4
Paulson: 3.5

Room
Larson: 5´
Tremblay: 4,5/5
Allen: 4

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: Glad you enjoyed them. :)

Anonymous said...

Luke: I just can see it now: Bryan Cranston wins Oscar for Best Actor in Trumbo.

Michael McCarthy said...

I don't buy that at all. Trumbo's critical reception was far too lukewarm for it to actually win anything. It might get a few sympathy nods just for its subject matter.

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