Monday 7 December 2015

Alternate Best Actor 1962: Tom Courtenay in The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner

Tom Courtenay did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Colin Smith in The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner.

The Loneliness of Long Distance Runner is an intriguing enough kitchen sink drama about a young man being sent to a reformatory due to a robbery he committed.

I've already covered the always underrated Courtenay for his later foray in another film considered a kitchen sink drama, Billy Liar, though the leads of these films are often referred as the angry young man, that was less so the case for Billy Liar who would have been better referred to as the aimless young man, though technically speaking Colin Smith is also aimless. It's interesting to compare the two performances though as Courtenay crafts two distinct characters that differ in style as well. In the broad strokes, though it was not that simple in the least, as Billy Liar Courtenay gave most often a comic performance in his depiction of the young man who preferred fantasies over reality, though this did indeed hide a very troubled state of mind beneath it all. Here with The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner Courtenay is given much more directly that angry young man type. One of the best scene in the opening scenes of the film as he's taken to the reformatory and is given the initial speech by the superintendent (Michael Redgrave). The sheer hatred Courtenay conveys as Colin stares down the warden sets up perfectly where Colin's state of mind is at the beginning of the film though technically it is more of the middle of the story.

As we proceed in these early scenes Courtenay is extremely effective in revealing the manner of Colin which is the epitome of a rebel without a cause, but unlike say James Dean there is nothing "cool" about Courtenay's portrayal. Courtenay instead does not hold back on the harshness of the nature of this anger showing it as something that is very much off-putting as there does not seem to be an exact purpose for it at first. Courtenay rather than having his character defines his defiance, it is simply the act of defiance that defines Colin. Courtenay does not show anything promising in Colin with his work though instead revealing a very definite problem with the man, as the intensity he brings to his anger suggests not a man waiting or wanting to do something right, rather a man who soon could do something quite wrong very soon. Courtenay is terrific because he establishes this being Colin at his absolute worst point that so well reflects what we later learn about Colin, but with all those other elements, in combination with imprisonment, Courtenay reveals the combination of all these pains into a truly troubled young man. Very naturally though Courtenay does not allow Colin to be defined by this note, as times passes, as well as when we see what came before, Courtenay presents us the greater whole of Colin.

This sort of begins with Colin's time with the prison psychiatrist who tries to discover his problems. Courtenay is great because he still has that sharpness, that fervor against the man representing authority currently, though now tempered a bit as he's simply has time to cool down in addition to the psychiatrist being a empathetic man. Courtenay brilliantly begins to peal away more at Colin for us though when the psychiatrist asks about his father and Colin reveals that he died. Courtenay is exceptional in this moment as he so subtly reveals a palatable grief over his father's death while still holding up that front that Colin keeps. This eventually leads us to the flashback sequences of the film where Colin is an aimless young man living with his family including his dying father that seems to concern his concern his mother very little. Courtenay once again is absolutely fantastic in how well he gets across what is going on beneath Colin. On the surface again there is always that hint of anger, that gets stronger at certain understandable moments, and often a sense of ambivalence towards life as though he's in some way above it. Courtenay though is so good though as there is such a striking undercurrent of sadness in Colin, who is heartbroken over his father made all the worse because of his mother's indifference.

Courtenay continues to excel in the way he furthers the character in the scenes away from his family or any potential authority figures where he puts on that tough guy act of sorts. Outside of those scenes, particularly when he and his friend attempt at romancing two young women, Courtenay brings out this more genuine youth in Colin. This is indeed in moments of just simple juvenile excitement in doing some occasional acts of thefts as well as simply trying to impresses the women, but Courtenay also is quite powerful as he brings out that vulnerability, that he certainly alluded to before, into the open when he is alone with just one of the women. Courtenay is marvelous as he shows the shy confused man that Colin is deep down inside, and actually presents a certain sweetness by removing any of those barriers that Colin usually keeps firmly in place. In these brief moments Courtenay is able to create the sense of what compels Colin otherwise though by granting this sensitivity in him, but also a certain considerable fear both in terms of avoiding what his father became as well as simply to face what he must face. Courtenay makes sense of Colin's confused state so well that the fact that his robberies only become riskier ends up feeling like an inevitability, since Courtenay shows that Colin really has no idea what he is doing or what he should do.

Now the film also depicts Colin continuing life in the detention center where Courtenay slowly eases away that hatred that was so strong at first, as Colin finds that he has a knack for long distance running, which makes superintendent happy for purely selfish reasons involving a competition between the center and a school. Colin begins to fall very much into line, which Courtenay also gives sense to not only through the fact that Colin's clearly had time to calm down, but also in the moments of the running. In these moments Courtenay expresses a considerable enthusiasm and joy as Courtenay shows Colin finally doing something seemingly on his own terms that also seems to have some purpose. This eventually leads to the climatic race which Colin easily could win, but just before the finish line stops to the fury of all. The rebellious streak reappears in Colin, and this could easily have been a meaningless moment if it were not for Courtenay's portrayal of it. It is not an anger that compels Colin this time. Courtenay instead shows Colin know far more aware of his own self, and instead presents a moment of a personal pride of sorts as Colin stops in defiance not in hatred, but rather to be his own man. Tom Courtenay gives a great performance here and one of the very best Kitchen Sink performances here because he never leaves Colin Smith as just an "angry young man", he finds what there is beneath that surface,  painting a most compelling portrait of a man lost trying to find some path which he can call his own.

154 comments:

Calvin Law said...

Glad you liked him. Thoughts/ratings on the rest of the cast? Hope you'll hold off Redgrave unless you didn't like him that much as he's terrific here too.

I love Courtenay's performance here for the same reasons you do, perhaps even more so because I think it is the ultimate kitchen sink drama performance of all time. He manages to both play into the whole idea of this angry young chap and yet find within it such subtleties that are really quite beautiful; for such a grimy, unsparing film he really does have some breathtakingly beautiful moments of acting, like for example those scenes on the beach, and his final reactions.

Calvin Law said...

Also would you mind elaborating more on what you liked about the film? It's one of my favourites for 1962, which by the way would be:

1. To Kill a Mockingbird
2. Lawrence of Arabia
3. The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
4. The Miracle Worker
5. The L-Shaped Room
6. The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner
7. Billy Budd
8. The Manchurian Candidate
9. What Ever Happened to Baby Jane?
10. Days of Wine and Roses
Hon. Mentions: A Kind of Loving, Lolita

Calvin Law said...

Lastly is this the best of Courtenay you've seen.

Anonymous said...

A 5 well deserved.
Louis: Thoughts and ratings on:
The cast of The Dirty Dozen
Since you disliked Peck, Bickford, Simmons and Heston (but not Ives) in The Big Country, who do you think might have been better choices for the characters they portrayed? Or do you think they would have given a much better performance with a better script?

RatedRStar said...

The Screen Actors Guild nominations are tomorrow, =D I cant wait, everybody what are your predictions and also, what are you hoping for =D.

Robert MacFarlane said...

My prediction: Some bullshit is about to be beheld.

Luke Higham said...

RatedRStar:
Ensemble
Spotlight
The Hateful Eight
The Martian
Brooklyn
Steve Jobs

Lead Actor
DiCaprio
Damon
Depp
Fassbender
Jordan

Lead Actress
Larson
Ronan
Blanchett
Rampling
Mulligan
Alt. Mara

Supporting Actor
Rylance
Keaton
Ruffalo
Stallone
Hardy

Supporting Actress
Mara
Vikander
Winslet
Allen
McAdams
Alt. Walters

Anonymous said...

Spotlight wins Best Ensemble without a doubt.

Michael Patison said...

Totally agree that Courtenay is brilliant, but also agree that the movie isn't the greatest. Not a fan of Redgrave, either. I find him too one note.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Seen anything new recently.

Luke Higham said...

Rylance. :)

Robert MacFarlane said...

Hm, the Shannon thing might happen.

Luke Higham said...

Robert: I didn't really mind the nominations, since we have some unpredictability for once.

Redmayne's nomination does annoy me a bit and I'm absolutely thrilled for Elba.

Luke Higham said...

With Keaton's snub, Rylance has to be the frontrunner.

JackiBoyz said...

Helen Mirren and Sarah Silverman, eh?

Michael McCarthy said...

I can't believe they snubbed Keaton AND Ruffalo...I mean, only one acting nom for Spotlight? I figured between them, Stallone and Hardy they couldn't all be snubbed...

It's also nice to see Tremblay get recognized even though it's monstrous category fraud.

RatedRStar said...

I guess this means that this could be an exciting race full of twists and turns, the Golden Globes should enhance this theory tomorrow.

JackiBoyz said...

Does anybody think that Mirren and Silverman will actually be nominated for the Best Actress Oscars?.

Luke Higham said...

JackiBoyz: Silverman - Hell No! Mirren - Slight Chance

RatedRStar said...

JackiBoyz: No although there is always surprises.

Screen Actors Guild nominations can be quite odd as there are usually 2 or 3 people who then miss out come Oscar time, I reckon at least 4 people that have been nominated today will not be nominated come Oscar time =D.

Louis Morgan said...

In regards to Sag that was random, and I have no idea if it will be indicative of the Oscars or not. Old fashioned sag logic though dicates that supporting actor is probably between Rylance and Elba now since it is very unlikely that Bafta will favor Keaton, Ruffalo or Stallone over those two (that's saying they even get in there). All three need the Globes to stand a chance. Out of the presumed frontrunners I'd say Hardy was hurt the least by this. Though the way supporting actor is this year I could see both Rylance and Elba potentially missing out tomorrow, though I'd be very suprised if either missed Bafta.

Calvin & Anonymous:

I'll get you those thoughts soon.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: What do you plan on watching within the next two weeks.

Kevin said...

Wow the category frauds are just getting ridiculous. How on Earth are Tremblay, Vikander and especially Mara in the supporting categories?

And the fact that they are taking spots from actual supporting actors and actresses who are deserving of recognition kinda pisses me off

Anonymous said...

I'm quite surprised about the SAG nominations but I'm not that pissed off. The male supporting line-up was really shocking but I don't think I can make a full judgement as I haven't seen Bale and Shannon yet. The category frauds are quite off-putting, and really Rooney Mara is not supporting in Carol: granted I haven't seen Carol yet, but in the book she's like in every single page, and her story is entirely from her POV. I've heard they changed some things a bit and gave more space to the character of Carol but still the story is about both Carol and Therese. Anyway, everybody criticizing Sarah Silverman's nomination so much hasn't seen the movie yet - "I smile back" is not that good itself, but Silverman's performance is effective. Anyway I like how unpredictable this award season is now, and I'm interested in the Globes nominations as they refused to nominate Mara and Vikander in supporting, so I'm excited about how the female categories will be.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: I didn't have a problem with Silverman's nomination, I just do not believe it'll translate into an Oscar Nom.

Louis Morgan said...

Looking further into the nominations I can't help but wonder if SAG will be less of a decider here than usual. Spotlight got in for ensemble but Keaton and Ruffalo did not get in, I wonder if they got Afflecked. I imagine both will be winning a sag award anyways.

Lead actor was the least suprising category I'd say as the television branch could have helped Cranston a great deal, and SAG is clearly in love with Mirren no matter what film she is in.

Those last two spots in actress were never going to be sured up anyways, since the "locks" Ronan, Blanchett, and Larson all feel like passion votes to begin with so I wouldn't be too worried about them, though perhaps if Vikander and Mara are put in the correct category it could be a bloodbath for all.

Supporting actress also depends on that category problem.

For the purposes of the race I hope Sag is out of synch since I always prefer unpredictability.

Kevin:

It will be interesting to see how the frauds play out with the academy, since the Globes rejected them, but with SAG the voters are forced to go with the category no mattter what.

Luke:

Brooklyn when I get the chance to, and I guess Star Wars. What else comes my way is up in the air though.

Louis Morgan said...

Calvin:

I'll admit I probably did not like the film as much as you. I felt it worked but I also felt that Courtenay's performance stood out the most out of the film. I found just a few of Richardson's choices were a little odd tonally, in addition I think it has a much stronger grasp of the home scenes than the scenes in the reformatory which it feels as though it only quite scratches the surface of.

Not holding onto Redgrave I'm afraid but:

Redgrave - 3.5(I did like him. It's a fairly thin role as the superintendent is pretty on the nose as the authority figure who really only cares about his own selfish desires. I did find that Redgrave did this with the right pompous style as his smiles were always so false, with only his hateful grimaces showing the true character of the man)

Bunnage - 4(Rather liked her as she exuded the certain grotesque elements of her character effectively without going overboard to the point of being a caricature. She found frankly the inhumanity in her callous indifference as she managed to convey that the greedy desires of her character came from desperation to a certain degree, and wasn't simply just an evil person)

Everyone else I felt was fine but very much overshadowed by Courtenay.

As for the last question I'd say minute per minute I'd say Zhivago is still his best, but this might take his best leading turn for me.

Anonymous:

I'd say everyone besides Bickford could have easily worked with a better script. Fredric March or Walter Brennan I think would have worked over Bickord. Bickford honestly worked best in more emotional roles.

Dirty Dozen:

Marvin - 3.5(He has a very limited role, but does some usual rock solid tough guy Marvin work which is usually more than enough.)

Borgnine - 3(Gives a lot of life to what's really a nothing role)

Sutherland - 3(Given far too little to do, but he's quite entertaining in the scene where he pretends to be the general)

Bronson - 3(Rock solid Bronson tough guy act too, but I always have preferred when a part challenged him a bit since he usually seemed up to it)

Ryan - 2.5(He's fine but utterly wasted as a truly one demensional villian of sorts. Now Ryan usually finds something in a limited part, but here he's just not given the time)

Savalas - 3(One of my problems with the film, though it does try, the Dozen never come to life the way they should. Savalas probably stands out the most, since he's the villain of the piece. He is pretty good in his moments of sadistic intensity though. I wish the film had given him more to do though)

Brown - 2.5(He had a certain presence but also was a bit wooden)

Anonymous said...

Louis: What are your ratings and thoughts on:
Ava Gardner in The Killers, The Snows of Killimanjaro and Seven Days in May
Lana Turner in The Bad and the Beautiful
Katharine Hepburn in Holiday and Bringing Up Bab

RatedRStar said...

Oh I should say even though this is a film blog I am quite happy that Rami Malek was recognized for Mr Robot =D.

ruthiehenshallfan99 said...

Anonymous: He gave Ava Gardner a 4 for The Killers. Don't remember his thoughts, though.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Hardy's definitely out of the running.

Luke Higham said...

Pros: Vikander - Ex Machina, Mad Max: Fury Road, Lead Actress Category, Double Nominations for Rylance and Oscar Isaac.
Cons: Joy

Luke Higham said...

Louis: I think Fassbender's gonna get nominated now, so I've finally decided to make my request.

Geza Rohrig in Son Of Saul (2015 Lead Bonus Round)

Louis Morgan said...

Anonymous:

I'll get you those thoughts soon.

Luke:

Mad Max in Picture and Miller in director what more do you need?

Actor: Surprised Depp missed here of all places.

Supporting Actor:

I think all this proved so far that it is between Elba and Rylance for the win, since I'm sure they'll get in as Bafta as well. I think the other three at Bafta could also be completely different, which could include Hardy. This certainly is the polar opposite of last year with this category.

Supporting Actress:

Leigh very much needed that and I think she has a good chance since the Academy has loved Tarantino lately. Very happy to see Vikander, in her performance that's apparently far easier to argue is supporting. I'd prefer if Fonda was not happening, and again how the frauds play out at the Oscars is going to be very interesting.

Luke, come on, Joy is not a pro or a con until you see it.

Michael McCarthy said...

I wouldn't count out Hardy, I think a lot of voters haven't seen The Revenant yet. But I definitely do think Elba's gonna win now (shame about Keaton being snubbed again).

Robert MacFarlane said...

@Luke: I don't want him for bonus round, I want him for regular rounds.

Kevin said...

Yikes, Keaton's chances are getting slimmer and slimmer, and Hardy is pretty much out of the running. On the plus side, things are looking real good for Miller and Mad Max Fury Road.

Also Louis, do you think Cranston is gonna get his first Oscar nomination and take either Depp or Damon's spot?

RatedRStar said...

Same, I don't think we can count Hardy out just yet, same as we cant count out Keaton or Ruffalo either. There is a Daniel Bruhl/Jake Gyllenhaal in this line up somewhere =D I wonder who it is.

Kevin said...

I meant Hardy in Legend, not The Revenant

RatedRStar said...

This race is not OVERR, NOT YET.

Luke Higham said...

Robert: I initially put him in the alternates, but wasn't sure, how everyone would react to it, so I placed him in the bonus rounds, though since you really want his review sooner rather than later, I've changed my mind again and would like to see him in the alternates.

Louis: Rohrig - Son Of Saul (Alternate Lead 2015)

Kevin said...

I was referring to Hardy in Legend, not The Revenant

Michael McCarthy said...

Also I TOTALLY called Smith getting that Globe nod. Although it saddens me that he's probably why Depp got snubbed. It looks like the Drama Actor lineup may be our Oscar lineup, though hopefully with Damon in over Smith.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: I doubt, that I'm gonna like Joy. End Of.

JackiBoyz said...

Everyone Why do you reckon it is that Hardy, Keaton and Ruffalo have all missed out so far?

Luke Higham said...

JackiBoyz:

Keaton/Ruffalo - Split Vote
Hardy - I'd probably agree with Michael's statement, though I do feel that DiCaprio's taken much of the buzz for The Revenant and to most people, is considered overdue.

Robert MacFarlane said...

I ain't celebrating Fury Road/Miller until I see their names on that Oscar nominations list.

RatedRStar said...

I am starting to lose a bit of hope for this years Oscars, I wont rant this time if bad nominees sneak in, ill just be quite down im afraid.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Have you started watching Wolf Hall yet.

Anonymous said...

I am disappointed by the Trumbo nominations, I thought both Mirren and Cranston were just average, as for Will Smith, I don't know what to say.

Anonymous said...

Louis do you reckon Hardy is out of the race?

Louis Morgan said...

Kevin:

Maybe, it depends on if this Trumbo love in general doesn't peter out. I would not say either Depp or Damon are in, though DiCaprio, Fassbender and Redmayne seem the Keaton, Cumberbatch and Redmayne of last year.

RatedRStar:

Cranston or Shannon would be my guess, but I could see them both getting in as well.

Luke:

I'm not a fan of O. Russell, but give it a chance at least.

Jackiboyz:

Well the category is stacked to begin with, but also The Revenant hasn't been all that widely seen yet. As for Spotlight I think maybe voters are also divided on their favorite past just Keaton and Ruffalo. If some are opting for Tucci and Schreiber no one is going to get in. Then again maybe this is showing more of a respect, rather than love, for Spotlight, and something else will be taking the top prize.

Robert:

Mad Max is not getting in, so I'll take what I can get. (That's right I'm taking the reverse Psychology approach)

Anonymous:

No. I don't think so. He could get a boost from Bafta, and even if he does not he could always be the Jonah Hill (Wolf) type of nomination if the Academy ends up really embracing The Revenant. They've always loved every Inarritu film more than most everyone else so I think it's a strong possibility.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Fine, I'll give it a chance, though that RT score doesn't give me a heap of confidence.

Luke Higham said...

Louis:
99 Homes
http://putlocker.ms/watch-99-homes-online-free-2015-putlocker.html

Louis Morgan said...

Luke:

I've already seen it.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Thoughts on the film & ratings and thoughts on the cast.

Also, anything else you've seen, like Cinderella or Spy.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Will you manage in getting to watch Son Of Saul before starting the alternates.

Anonymous said...

Such a shame that Keaton wasn't nominated for the SAG.

Michael McCarthy said...

And just gonna throw this in: If there has to be a case of massive category fraud in supporting actor this year, I really hope it's Tremblay and not Dano.

Anonymous said...

I now predict that Cranston will be nominated for this year.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: My Current Predictions
Lead:
Cranston
Damon
DiCaprio
Fassbender
Redmayne
Alt: Depp

Supporting:
Elba
Keaton
Rylance
Shannon
Stallone
Alt. Hardy & Tremblay

Robert MacFarlane said...

I'm guessing for Actor and Supporting Actor:

Depp
Damon
DiCpario
Fassbender
Redmayne

Elba
Rylance
Stallone
Shannon
Keaton

Anonymous said...

Luke:
Lead
Depp
Cranston
Fassbender
DiCaprio
Redmayne
(Sorry, not convinced that Damon will get in)
Supporting
Rylance
Keaton
Elba
Stallone (All right, I'm now convinced)
Shannon

Robert MacFarlane said...

Honestly not convinced about Cranston. The whole Trumbo thing was a fluke.

Luke Higham said...

Robert: I kinda hope that you're right.

Anonymous said...

I even kind of see Cranston win the Oscar...

Robert MacFarlane said...

Every trailer and ad I've seen for Trumbo plays like a threat.

Anonymous said...

But I wouldn't really want him to win, DiCaprio should win it.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: Your Current Alternate Predictions.
Lead:
Fassbender
Hardy
Depp
McKellen
Attah
Segel
Tremblay
Rohrig
Bateman
Mendelsohn

Supporting:
Hardy
Del Toro
Hoult
Jenkins
Isaac
Tucci
Schreiber
Brolin
Two Members of the The Hateful Eight Cast (Jackson, Russell, Roth or Goggins)

Anonymous said...

Luke: Most of your alternate predictions are the same as mine's.

Anonymous said...

Luke:...with the exception of Depp.

Anonymous said...

Luke: If Louis is going to review two members of the Hateful Eight, I'll think Jackson and Russell will be reviewed.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: Are there any of my predictions, that you would change.
e.g. Courtenay instead of Mendelsohn.

Anonymous said...

Luke: I think that Courtenay could definitely be reviewed. And sure, him over Mendelsohn.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: Depp's my alternative pick for the lead actor nominees.

Anonymous said...

Luke: Oh yeah, I forgot to say that on Metalman091's list of actors who match Olivier, Burgess Meredith's on it. Aside from the Rocky movies and The Day of the Locust, he doesn't impress me that much as an actor.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: I quite liked him as The Penguin.

Anonymous said...

Luke: Oh yeah, I forgot about Penguin. I have to say that the Burton Batman movies and the 1966 film and TV series are my guilty pleasure.

Anonymous said...

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

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous:
4. Harvey
5. Mifune
6. Nakadai
7. Mitchum
8. Stewart
9. Mason
10. Werner

Anonymous said...

Luke: You know, I'd like Louis to upgrade Sellers in Dr. Strangelove to a 5.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: Same, though I think he gave him a 5 initially (Accident or not) and downgraded him not long after. This was way back in 2010, so I'm not 100% sure.

Anonymous said...

Luke: Speaking of Batman earlier, I could definitely see Robinson as The Penguin and Cagney as The Joker.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: I'd actually rather like to've seen Richard Widmark as The Joker.

Anonymous said...

Luke: Yes, Widmark would have been great as the Joker, in a Dark Knight version of the 40's. I can see Cagney as The Joker in the 1930's.

Anonymous said...

Luke: And of course...Rita Hayworth as Poison Ivy.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: Definitely. :)

Anonymous said...

Luke: Bane in the 40's...who could play him in your opinion?

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: Physically, maybe Bogart, though voiced by Orson Welles.

Anonymous said...

Luke: Apparently, Welles wanted to do a Batman film in the 40's. I could see Cotten as Two-Face.

Anonymous said...

I am still so dissapointed in Hardy not getting recognized, this was supposed to be his breakout year, and now it isn't.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: I guess he'll have to wait as long as his idol, when getting his first nomination. :(

Robert MacFarlane said...

Eh, I can live with that. Kind of getting sick of him. He could take a year off.

ruthiehenshallfan99 said...

I think Best Actress will be a bloodbath, with Mara put as a lead.

ruthiehenshallfan99 said...

Luke: Who was his idol?

Luke Higham said...

Ruthiehenshallfan99: Gary Oldman.

Anonymous said...

Luke: I know he would be too old in the 40's, but the only choice I can see for Mr. Freeze is Karloff.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: Agreed.

Anonymous said...

Luke: What about the Riddler? Now this is a tough choice. I'll go ahead and say Lancaster.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: I'll go with Burt as well.

Anonymous said...

Luke: Who could you see play Harley Quinn in the 40's?

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: Teresa Wright.

Anonymous said...

Luke: I'll say that I'd love to see Ava Gardner as Catwoman.

Anonymous said...

Luke: I have to admit that I'm not that hyped for Suicide Squad.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: I'm somewhat interested in Robbie and Leto, but I don't care much either.

Anonymous said...

Luke: I don't think I'd like Leto's Joker that much...

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: I'm willing to give him the benefit of the doubt, though I predict he's gonna be fine.

Anonymous said...

Luke: I would go with Claude Rains as Alfred.

Anonymous said...

Luke: And what about Scarecrow? I'd say Vincent Price.

Anonymous said...

Robert MacFarlane: Sick of who? Tom Hardy, really lol

Robert MacFarlane said...

Yep. Find his chronic grumbling actively annoying at this point. Even though he's never bad, I find his need to play physical, inarticulate brutes in most things tiresome at this point. It annoys me mostly because we know he can do so much more than that.

Calvin Law said...

Robert: which performances are you referring to? I'm guessing just Bane and Mad Max really because he's not exactly grumbling his way through Locke and The Drop, and in Legend he's many things but inarticulate's not really the word.

Calvin Law said...

Also just re-watched Sicario and I think I'll bump Del Toro up to #1 for Supporting.

Robert MacFarlane said...

I was also thinking Lawless, Warrior, and parts of The Drop. I'll say that I do really like him in The Drop quite a bit. Partially I also find him a tad overexposed at the moment. Like how people are getting sick of Jennifer Lawrence.

Louis Morgan said...

Anonymous:

The Killers - (A good old fashioned femme fatale to be sure, and certainly fulfills the alluring side of things with the right incisive edge to her alluding to the darkness behind her character. I would say maybe she overdoes her last scene just a bit, but otherwise it's a good performance)

Killimanjaro - 3(I liked her performance, in fact I'd say I preferred her chemistry with Peck. It's not all that much, but I found her to be one of the better elements of that film)

Seven Days in May - 4(Her character is only but a pawn in the story but I rather liked her performance. You really feel the unsaid chemistry in her scenes with Douglas, as well as the unseen past with Lancaster's character. She brings the right sort of emotional truth that stands at a good contrast against the cutthroat nature of most of the character in that film)

Turner - 4(I'd say the best I've seen from her, though I'd say she's probably the least hurt by the film's structure, as her character feels the most whole, and the transitions are not overlooked like they are for Douglas. Turner is moving in her early scenes in portraying her desperation then she naturally transitions this to star presence, and earns her character's gain in stature. Although the scene is rushed still, Turner is quite good in reflecting the betrayal by bringing that certain desperation in just the right moment)

Hepburn - Bringing Up Baby - 4.5/4 - Holiday(In both she has very good chemistry with Grant, of varying sorts, though certainly believe their relationship in both. In Bringing Up Baby she goes full Hepburn and it works quite beautifully in creating the madness of her character in an endearing fashion. Meanwhile she's also quite good in a more unassuming way in Holiday, just realizing that quiet warmth of her character so well)

Luke:

I also saw Pawn Sacrifice which I felt was engaging enough but never quite felt like it got right to the heart of its subject matter, though it is probably the most I've ever liked Tobey Maguire.

99 Homes has about the subtly of an Oliver Stone film, but actually I say I preferred it to Wall Street, which it's similair to in many ways. I loved the first third as it just so emotionally affecting in depicting the brutality of that portion the story, without going over the top. As the film proceeded I found it a bit repetitive, and I thought it was unfortunate that they began to make Shannon's character so overtly evil in terms of the writing, since he seemed like they were going for something a bit more complex at first. Then it ends very poorly with an ending that just felt haphazard.

Garfield - 4.5(Well I'm glad I liked him here since he's leading two of my most anticipated films for next year. I liked his performance though as he effectively conveys the frustrations of his character in the early scenes and he really brings you into his personal struggle. Then when he joins Shannon, Garfield did his best to make up for the film, by not making his character's slow corruption not as overt as the film wanted. Garfield stayed strong by showing that even when he was doing the wrong thing it continued to tear him up inside. His first eviction scene is particularly well handled. The film seems to want him to go simpler at times with how certain moments are handled, but Garfield importantly stays truer to the character we met in the first act, in turn making the ending not as bad as it could be, though he can't quite make it work)

Dern - 3.5(The American Emily Watson, as she's once again playing a supportive mother. Once again though Dern is very good at it. She has a nice believable interactions with Garfield, projecting the right warmth but also projecting the moral concern without seeming to become sanctimonious. Again does well to elevate the material though I do think what happens to her character seems a tad rushed)

Calvin Law said...

Thoughts and rating for Maguire in Pawn Sacrifice?

Also re-watching Love and Mercy now and I think I might just move Dano up to a strong 4.5 verging on a 5.

Calvin Law said...

Genuinely surprised by Garfield's rating, but now am quite compelled to see the film. Something tells me you're not quite as enthused with Shannon though.

Calvin Law said...

And for Pawn Sacrifice, the supporting cast too.

Michael McCarthy said...

I totally agree on Garfield, he impressed the hell out of me, way more so than Shannon.

Also...what did I miss with Love & Mercy? It did nothing for me.

Calvin Law said...

It's grown with me overall, as a film. Which has happened with several films this year (The Martian, The End of the Tour, Ex Machina) whereas others went down (Suffragette, Black Mass)

ruthiehenshallfan99 said...

YES!! Lana Turner has a high score!!!!

Luke Higham said...

My Award Choices for 2015 so far.
Picture: 1. Mad Max: Fury Road 2. Brooklyn 3. Beasts Of No Nation

Actor: 1. McKellen/Attah (Tie) 3. Damon 4. Hardy

Actress: 1. Ronan 2. Mulligan 3. Theron

Supporting Actor: 1. Del Toro 2. Rylance 3. Elba

Supporting Actress: 1. Vikander 2. Blanchett (Cinderella) 3. Debicki

I've upgraded Garfield to a 4.5 as well and Shannon's down to a 3.5.

Luke Higham said...

Everyone: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0io2w_6vT8

Anonymous said...

Luke: Pretty good trailer. :)

Robert MacFarlane said...

My choices so far:

Picture

1. Fury Road
2. Diary of a Teenage Girl
3. Brooklyn

Actor

1. Jason Bateman in The Gift
2. Jason Segel in The End of the Tour
3. John Cusack in Love and Mercy

Actress

1. Bel Powley in Diary of a Teenage Girl
2. Saoirse Ronan in Brooklyn
3. Alicia Vikander in Ex Machina

Supporting Actor

1. Emory Cohen in Brooklyn
2. Sylvester Stallone in Creed
3. Nicolas Hoult in Fury Road

Supporting Actress

1. Elizabeth Banks in Love and Mercy
2. Kate Winslet in Steve Jobs
3. Rose Byrne in Spy

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

Picture:

1. Room
2. Mad Max: Fury Road
3. Ex Machina

Actress:

1. Brie Larson
2. Saoirse Ronan
3. Charlize Theron

Actor:

1. Jason Segel
2. Jacob Tremblay
3. Tom Hardy

Supporting Actress:

1. Alicia Vikander
2. Joan Allen
3. Kate Winslet

Supporting Actor:

1. Nicholas Hoult
2. Benicio Del Toro
3. Richard Jenkins

Luke Higham said...

Animated Feature: 1. Shaun The Sheep Movie 2. Inside Out 3. The Good Dinosaur

Calvin Law said...

Picture:
1. Carol
2. Brooklyn
3. The Martian

Actor:
1. McKellen
2. Damon
3. Segel/Hardy/Fassbender (Macbeth)

Actress:
1. Mara
2. Ronan
3. Blanchett

Supporting Actor:
1. Del Toro
2. Rylance
3. Schonaerts

Supporting Actress:
1. Vikander
2. Debicki
3. Seydoux/Banks

Director:
1. Haynes
2. Miller
3. Scott

Calvin Law said...

Michael McCarthy: Is that Hardy in Mad Max or Legend you've put at #3?

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: I think it's Legend.

Michael McCarthy said...

It is Legend. I'm actually still baffled at how much I liked that film.

RatedRStar said...

I would make a list but I still haven't seen half of these films and I cant find half of them anywhere, why is Steve Jobs not anywhere on PL or anywhere else lol.

Luke Higham said...

RatedRStar: You and I just have to be patient, though I'm really starting to get fed up waiting for Macbeth. Legend's up by the way, though it isn't DVD Rip as of yet.

Luke Higham said...

*DVD Rip Quality

Anonymous said...

Louis: So, who do you think might have been a better choice than Cooper in Love in the Afternoon.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Can I have your ratings & thoughts on Seth Rogen and Jeff Daniels in Steve Jobs.

Robert MacFarlane said...

I'd still wait on those juuuust in case of an inexplicable Steve Jobs showing at the Oscars, as unlikely as it seems. You really cannot risk it.

RatedRStar said...

One good thing about these surprises and snubs is that the campaigners will be like "dammit we need to get campaigning harder and harder now to get our guy/gal in", so we could see some surprises still to come =D.

Anonymous said...

Rogen could even get a surprise Oscar nomination just for his role. He would then be the next Jonah Hill.

Robert MacFarlane said...

I'll say that I liked Rogen a lot more than either of Hill's performances.

RatedRStar said...

I would like to think that Seth Rogen could follow in Jason Segels footsteps cause you know, they both can be sort of lovable big oaths in a John Candy way, whereas Jonah Hill (I know you meant just his Oscar nominations) feels just, I just dont find Jonah Hill charming or likable in any way at all when he acts except possibly in Superbad where he was sort of pathetically charming lol.

Anonymous said...

RatedRStar: I don't find him charming either.

Louis Morgan said...

Calvin:

Maguire - (I'll hold off an a rating for the moment. The film decides to view Bobby Fischer from a certain distance, even though its about him, but we more of see him through the views of others. Maguire though is effective in being that insane genius as he brings the needed intensity in the role right for a man who seems to be constantly be playing the chess in his mind even when he's off. Maguire treads that right line as he makes Fischer almost this unwieldy power of sorts, as you always see where the genius comes from, though never without that extreme madness right along with it. I wish the film let him explore Fischer in some more intimate moments, there are few, though sparse, and I think he's very good in these scenes showing a more vulnerable man with the insanity still there though muted, as though the public eye only causes his worst egotist tendencies to come out which makes his madness even more prevalent.)

Schreiber - 3.5(An effective contrast to Maguire's performance portraying just the very astute and assured man against the volcano that is Fischer. Schreiber almost is a comic straight man at times playing so well a man whose approach seems to be more that of control. He's also good though in his personal scenes quietly conveying the understated frustrations of being used the way he is.)

Sarsgaard - 3.5(Playing another straight man for Fischer and he is good in just making his character the most genuine man in the film. Sarsgaard always conveys an actual understanding or at least attempt to understand Fischer, and effectively shows one man who is not trying to use Fischer for a personal gain.)

Stuhlbarg - 2.5(His performance here never quite worked for me here. Not that he was actively bad but I did not feel he exactly makes a statement on who his character is, making him a little to vague leaving him very much overshadowed by Sarsgaard and Maguire)

Michael:

I don't know did you at least appreciate the scene where Brian is working in the studio, that's probably one of my favorite scenes of the year. I thought it found an actual unique way to tell Wilson's story, and gave some life to the musical biopic which usually are so tired. It found an appreciation for the creative process which was so sorely missing in films like Ray and Walk the Line.

Anonymous:

Cary Grant.

Luke:

That category seems like it could go so many ways so it's best just to wait. By way some extremely random trend in Tom Hardy's favor for a nomination is that all three of DiCaprio's leading nominations have resulted in his supporting co-star getting a nomination as well.

Anonymous said...

Louis: What are your thoughts on these films and their respective ratings?
Kiss of Death
Crossfire
Woman in the Window
Scarlet Street
The Killers
Detective Story
The Big Heat

RatedRStar said...

Am I the only person who thought that in the Scream series, Liev Schreiber was by far the best performer, in the first film having a good mysterious nature which always left you curious, and in the second film, the only person who seemed to get how the game worked.

Michael McCarthy said...

Louis: Eh, that scene kind of just reminded me of a similar scene in Walk Hard, but less funny. Ultimately, I think what left me the most cold about the film was that it felt like two different movies about two completely different men.

Robert MacFarlane said...

I'm with Louis on this one. Part of the reason I enjoyed it so much was because it felt less run-of-the-mill than something like Ray.

Calvin Law said...

After re-watching it I have to bump Dano and also Cusack up quite a bit in my rankings. Lead Actor has been deceptively competitive this year.

On a separate note, re-watched Brooklyn today and Legend yesterday. I've bumped Hardy back up into my top 5 although my appreciation of the film as a whole continues to dwindle. Ronan and Mara are pretty much on par for me now, Cohen is easily a 4.5 for me while Gleeson went down a bit purely because I noted what Robert said about his role being so limited. The supporting cast as a whole and the film as a whole resonated even more though.

Michael McCarthy said...

My major concerns with the film were the unnecessary scenes for Ronnie to just be nuts and the sexual abuse scene, which was a really ham-fisted way to make a point that could've been made a lot more subtly and gracefully. On the whole though, I think there's actually quite a bit more to the film than it just being a showcase for Hardy.

RatedRStar said...

I really hope to catch up with films before the Globes happen, either way I am excited about this Oscar race, although I had some nightmare that Will Smith could sneak in, which would make me.....very....angry and I haven't seen Concussion but I wont accept the reason it could be could, because I know it wont be, I know exactly what kind of film it is =D =D.

RatedRStar said...

I meant to say could be...good.

ruthiehenshallfan99 said...

RatedRStar: I'm nervous that he could be....meh, especially considering his Oscar track record.

Louis Morgan said...

Anonymous:

Kiss of Death - 4(The story doesn't really have enough to it particularly in the lead character, which is not helped by Victor Mature not giving a particularly dynamic performance. The film has style for days though and Widmark's great villainous turn to effectively make up for these weaknesses. It still does not add to a great noir, but it certainly is quite watchable with a few very memorable moments, all involving Widmark)

Crossfire - 3.5(Well with Robert Ryan around there's no mystery to be had. It's message is very heavy handed with Robert Young basically having a speech to say prejudice is bad. Unlike Gentleman's Agreement that same year though it bothers to have more than one obvious speech after another. It works best in developing the atmosphere of setting fairly well, and although they are not giving a great deal of material the actors acquit themselves well to elevate their characters past caricatures.)

Woman in the Window - 3(Eh the ending I think does make this film difficult to recommend despite the strong performance by Robinson and the fact that it is quite the effective thriller up until the film just gives up on coming up with a resolution that would actually work, leaving the whole point of the film in question since it almost comes off like a comedy with its last scene)

Scarlet Street - 4.5(A far better noir with the same time as The Woman in the Window, since it does not call quits when the getting gets tough. Not only that it actually goes even darker than some noirs of the time. It embraces a particularly cruel world as all the characters are guilty of something, and is quite an intriguing depiction of a decent into a dark pit.)

The Killers - 4.5(One of the most early iterations of the hitman who has a bit of time to talk I think, and the opening scene of the film is quite great. Though I don't think what comes afterwards technically as good as that scene it certainly still makes for a compelling film as we discover why the man in the opening embraced death)

Detective Story - (The subplot involving the lead detectives wife is a bit heavy handed. The best parts of the film are in portraying the more day to day moments of handling each case in the police station. Those scenes are quite natural and far more engaging than that melodrama that rears its head every so often)

The Big Heat - 4.5(An effective tale of revenge. The lead character might be a little too straight forward but it is more than made up for from his foils in the chief villain and his poorly treated gun moll.)