Saturday 4 February 2017

Alternate Best Actor 2016: Adam Driver in Paterson

Adam Driver did not receive an Oscar nomination, despite winning and being nominated for several critical prizes, for portraying Paterson in Paterson.

100 percent about what is about to be said may be all false or 0 percent of it may be true. There is also a 72 percent chance that none of it is true, but also a 88 percent chance that 25 percent of it is.

Paragraph 1: I approach my keyboard preparing to write a review for Adam Driver in Paterson a film where he plays a bus driver for the city Paterson while playing a man named Paterson. I notice there is a hangnail on one of my fingers. It could easily be pulled so I retrieve nail clippers from a drawer and remove the unneeded attachment. I return back to the keyboard. I press on the f key, it's a bit sticky, I should replace it. I type noticing that there is strange task in reviewing this performance in a film about seemingly nothing. Who is this Adam Driver guy anyways? I probably should investigate. I go off to the local library only to find there are no books written about Adam Driver, though there is a book on how to drive a Vauxhall Adam. A random bystander passes by exclaiming "that dudes Kylo Renn, he's got his light saber he goes broommmmm, broommmmm, he killed Han Solo, screw that guy".

Paragraph 2: I return to a keyboard somewhere to continue to the review. I find in the comments section of my last review a question "Thoughts on Buddy the Wonder Dog in Air Bud?'. I ponder the question. The comment continues "Big fan of the air bud franchise but I noticed you've barely ranked any of the dogs.". At this time my own dog barks in the room. I walk outside to notice that the light is on in my car. I turn off the light, and see my neighbor is home. He beckons me to come inside. My neighbor is playing darts with a picture of himself across the room. He asks what am I doing. I say I'm reviewing Adam Driver in Paterson. I explain it is a hard nut to crack. He asks "why". I explain that it is a curiously compelling work even though he doesn't seem to do anything. "Sounds boring" he says as he throws a dart in his own photographic eye. I say but it's not.

Paragraph 3: I decide to take a break from the rigors of performance review and go off to the store in order to gather food for my dinner. As I wait in the line I stand behind two shoppers deep in conversation. The first person exclaims "Count Chocula doesn't taste like it used to" the other person asks "What do you mean?", the first continues "Count Chocula doesn't taste like it used to", "the cereal?" the other inquires, "who else is there?" the first counters "I sure love Boo Berry" the other claims, "What are you talking about? It doesn't taste the same anymore either" the first finishes. After my dinner, I continue the review questioning what it is there about this portrayal of a bus driver who likes to write poems is engaging. I ponder if it is the way Driver says certain words like "Blue Tip", there may be something to this.

Paragraph 4: I arrive at a local bar sitting at the counter to contemplate the performance further. I am approached by an actor who overhears my dilemma. "What's the drama, where is the conflict?" the actor inquires. I explain that there is none. We mostly just observe this man who goes about his day, a few slightly atypical things happen, nothing major and he treats any of the strange things in a pretty straight forward fashion. "What? You gotta have conflict to connect.". I attempt to tell the actor that there is just something strangely fascinating about watching the man be himself, perhaps there's just something strangely fascinating about Adam Driver. "Nothing bad happens to him?" the incredulous man asks. I reply that his poetry book is ruined by his dog. "That's it! I'm dealing with real drama" the actor balks at the idea. What you are in? I ask. "Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, I'm the titular role".  Where? "At the High School down the street." You're a student? I wonder aloud. "I'm the janitor, they let me play there though, it's going to be great.".

Paragraph 5: Still unsatisfied I walk down to a park, sitting at bench next to a trickling stream. A German approaches and sits next to me. The German has a book that reads "Performance Review". "I love a good performance" the German exclaims. I say, huh? "I write reviews of performances, this is my book." Is there a performance your currently writing about, I ask. "Jerry Lewis in The Day the Clown Cried.". Haven't seen that one, how is it? I pose the question. "Heartbreaking work, deals with a clown during the holocaust" I say oh, then explain that I am also writing a review, about a guy who just kinda gets upset in a normal fashion over having his poetry destroyed. He never gets too upset no matter what happens, somehow it feels natural, and is actually pretty funny as well as endearing. It's a performance that fits the film's tone perfectly, and just happens to be captivating in this unique way. "Hmmm" the German nods, "Give him a 4.5". The German leaves the park. I wait a moment more before getting up myself, walking home, and going to bed.

144 comments:

Robert MacFarlane said...

Holy shit, this might be my favorite review of yours.

Calvin Law said...

My God. This is just...perfect. I could watch a whole film about Louis Morgan writing about Adam Driver playing a bus driver called Paterson in a film called Paterson now.

Thoughts and ratings on Farahani, Jackson Harper, Henley, and English bulldog Nellie.

Calvin Law said...

I should also note I kind of loved the film even though I find it very hard to explain why.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Glad you liked him. :)

'Dano's one of the most intriguing actors around' Completely agree Louis, though if you want to see brilliant work from him, Please check out BBC's War & Peace. That Mini-Series is what made me have a crush on him in the first place.

Luke Higham said...

Nice One Louis. :)

Luke Higham said...

The future looks very bright for Adam Driver.

Matt Mustin said...

Okay, that was brilliant.

Calvin Law said...

Luke: I'd say he's had a pretty good 2016. Solid supporting turns in Midnight Special and Silence, and a great turn here.

Álex Marqués said...

Hahahaha this is great

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: I must admit, I feel like abit of fool for leaving him out of my most anticipated performances list for The Last Jedi. I'm so intrigued with whatever direction he might take with Kylo Ren.

Anonymous said...

One of the funniest reviews ever.

Luke Higham said...

The Founder is good quality on Putlocker. :)

I'm looking forward to it.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Could you leave Garfield to the end. His review would be the most worthy conclusion to this lineup.

RatedRStar said...

Haha fantastic Louis =D lol, Driver is a huge talent indeed and yet to put a foot wrong

Deiner said...

I love this review

Deiner said...

I'm going to change my predictions:
1. Garfield
2. Pine
3. Keaton
4. Edgerton
5. Driver

Robert MacFarlane said...

Changing my predictions as well:

1. Garfield
2. Edgerton
3. Pine
4. Keaton
5. Driver

Matt Mustin said...

Gonna change mine too.
1. Garfield
2. Pine
3. Edgerton
4. Keaton
5. Driver

Luke Higham said...

1. Garfield
2. Pine
3. Edgerton
4. Keaton
5. Driver

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Your top ten Actors or Actresses (One List) that have yet to receive a five from you.

Omar Franini said...

1. Garfield
2. Pine
3. Edgerton
4. Keaton
5. Driver

Mike Hannigan said...

Great review, Louis.

First shot without 5 - Hoohaa!

Charles H said...

Perfect review Louis!

Charles H said...

Oh, and.
1. Garfield
2. Edgerton
3. Keaton
4. Pine
5. Driver

Anonymous said...

Um, if this review is supposed to be a joke, I don't get it. Is it a reference to the film?

Luke Higham said...

Louis: You really should review Cage in Deadfall and The Wicker Man & Jon Voight in Anaconda one of these days. We don't get enough of these humorous reviews. :)

Giuseppe Fadda said...

Loved this review and I actually agree with the rating.

Matt Mustin said...

Louis, what would you say are your top 10 best shot films of the decade so far?

Luke Higham said...

Matt:
1. Silence
2. Drive
3. The Tree of Life
4. Birdman
5. La La Land
6. Mad Max: Fury Road
7. True Grit
8. Skyfall
9. Mr. Turner
10. The Neon Demon

Matt Mustin said...

Luke: Thanks.

Álex Marqués said...

Great list Luke.

Luke Higham said...

Alex: It's Louis' list, not mine.

Anonymous said...

Why don't you do these about Actress and Supporting Actress too?

Matt Mustin said...

Anonymous: I feel like there's only so many times we can explain that.

Charles H said...

Matt: Haha. Too true.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: I do not want to explain this again. It's been done 20 ******* times already.

Michael McCarthy said...

I'm obsessed with this review. That last paragraph somehow perfectly summed up why this rating is right for Driver.

Calvin Law said...

To be fair there might always be new people on the blog, so I'll go: there were a couple of Best Actress/Supporting Actress blogs awhile ago when Louis first started, they're mostly dormant now so it's a bit late. Giuseppe's doing a excellent series of Best Supporting Actress/this year's Oscar candidates at https://reviewingperformances.blogspot.co.uk/?m=1

RatedRStar said...

I will give another reason why there will never be a Best Actress blog, the fact that all these other blogs exist, and that Louis often puts the ratings up, we would all be winning predictions lol =D I could put another 20 Hong Kong performances on this blog lol so thats another reason why.

RatedRStar said...

Louis: I remember when Sage Slowdive and Dinasztie did the Best Actress blogs, I wonder what happened to them?

Luke Higham said...

RatedRStar: What about Fritz.

RatedRStar said...

Luke: Yes him 2

RatedRStar said...

There arent actually that many Best Actor/Best Supporting Actor blogs at all, the Cinematic Spectacle is one, but he just puts his award choices rather than reviewing them, and then you have The Oscar Quest who is the worst kind of reviewer by being completely inconsistent with his reasoning behind each choice (sometimes its because the Academy would have gone for it or that it was a persons turn to win and the other is because you should have seen this performance and I am not giving a reason for the win)

Robert MacFarlane said...

@Matt

1. The Tree of Life
2. It Follows
3. Silence
4. A Most Violent Year
5. The Social Network
6. The Master
7. Drive
8. Carol
9. Mad Max: Fury Road
10. Moonlight

Luke Higham said...

RatedRStar: This may be the most viewed/commented blog ever on Blogspot.

Matt Mustin said...

Just for the record, because it seems like a good time for a shameless plug, I've started up a blog of my own where I review male and female performances. The only criteria for getting a review is it has to be a performance I want to talk about. You can find it here, if you're interested. http://performancereviewsmatt.blogspot.ca/

Matt Mustin said...

I mean, since we're talking about all the other blogs :P

Charles H said...

RatedRStar: The Oscar Quest is horrible. Worst reviewer i have seen. (If you could call him a reviewer)

RatedRStar said...

=D I will give him one good thing, he does like Claude Rains =D so there is always that lol.

Charles H said...

RatedRStar: That's always a positive.

Luke Higham said...

RatedRStar: What about my best friend James Mason.

Charles H said...

I just noticed Paterson became Louis's 6th favorite film of 2016. I might need to see this finally.

RatedRStar said...

To be fair I remember he did give him the win for The Verdict, James Mason being born in Yorkshire, and me living in Yorkshire make me love Mason that bit more.

Giuseppe Fadda said...

Thank you very much Calvin!

Giuseppe Fadda said...

@Matt:

1. Carol
2. Moonlight
3. Drive
4. Mad Max: Fury Road
5. The Master
6. Silence
7. A Most Violent Year
8. La La Land
9. Birdman
10. Arrival

(11. The Neon Demon)

RatedRStar said...

Time of my winning request Louis, my winning request is this handsome gentleman =D

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/e3/e0/2f/e3e02ff53bc6f035c78f83910b3342dc.jpg


Anonymous said...

Jason Voorhees?

Charles H said...

Anonymous: I can't stop laughing :D

Luke Higham said...

Herbert Lom in the 1962 version of Phantom Of The Opera.

Anonymous said...

Louis, what did you think of the movie?

RatedRStar said...

Louis: Herbert Lom in The Phantom Of The Opera, this is comparable with the 43 version as it is almost exactly the same story, I feel this version is better than the 1943 version for a couple of reasons, one being that Lom is given a lot more to do than Rains who was limited for screentime as both the human and the Phantom, the other being the fact that the acting is a lot better as a whole with no annoying twin Raouls (an annoying dwarf though instead). Raoul, Christine and the other main Villain (Michael Gough are better than the 43 version.

RatedRStar said...

It is pretty great though to see Claude Rains in a colour film though at the peak of his age =D.

RatedRStar said...

The 1943 version is better at one thing though, the mask reveal and the makeup itself, Rains looked like he had a burn, whereas Lom looks like he dropped strawberry jam on his face lol.

RatedRStar said...

I do still like Rains a whole lot in Phantom, in fact I reckon you will probably rate them both the same but, I think Lom does well regardless so, thats my request.

Anonymous said...

Luke: While he has proven himself to be a good actor, I don't think Bautista will ever be considered to be one of the greatest actors of our time.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Which 5 or 10 actors have the most potential to be great, if given the chance.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: Of course, he wouldn't be in that class, but he can be great in his own right if given the chance. Also, I genuinely want the man to really succeed as an actor.

Bryan L. said...

Now I really want to see this movie. This review is on par with Tommy Wiseau in The Room, Matt Bomer in Titanic, and Sharlto Copley in Elysium.

Luke Higham said...

94dfk1: Billy Zane in Titanic.

Bryan L. said...

Luke: My mistake! I said Matt Bomer because I once mentioned that he could probably play Cal in a modern version of the film. Got mixed up.

Everyone: Anyone here who is not a fan of Blade Runner but who can't wait for the sequel thanks to the cast and crew involved? I feel like I'm in the minority but who knows?

Luke Higham said...

94dfk1: I'm not a die-hard fan of it, but it is a great film and look forward to the sequel.

Anonymous said...

94dfk1: As long as there's a competent director and a competent writer on board, I'll look forward to it.

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Louis: This is one of the best reviews you've ever written, outstanding work good sir.
I'm changing my predictions as well.
1. Garfield
2. Pine
3. Edgerton
4. Keaton
5. Driver

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

While life does indeed go on, I do wonder what happened to older commenters like Sage Slowdive and Dinasztie.

Charles H said...

Tahmeed: What about dshultz? He used to be a regular.

Anonymous said...

Louis: Any possibility for Denis Lavant to be upgraded for Holy Motors?

Robert MacFarlane said...

I noticed Paterson is #6 on his top 10, so he must have liked it a lot.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: He's already a 5. Do you mean, moving up the rankings.

Anonymous said...

Luke: I mean moving up in the rankings. (:

Louis Morgan said...

Calvin:

Farahani, Henley, Harper - 3.5(Honestly every supporting player no matter how small their role is, is on point. They all are within this certain exact tone that's kind off-beat and rather funny in very low key way. They're weird yet they never make a big deal of it. Except Harper's character I suppose, and that moment is hilarious. The supporting cast is unified in a most effective way.)

Nellie - (Posthumous best supporting actress winner right here!)

Further on the supporting cast I am so glad that Suzy and Sam from Moonrise Kingdom are back together again. I was rather worried after Manchester by the Sea.

Luke:

Dead or alive?

1. Boris Karloff
2. Charlie Chaplin
3. Tilda Swinton
4. Cillian Murphy
5. Lee Marvin
6. Robert Downey Jr.
7. Robert Redford
8. William Powell
9. Liev Schreiber
10. Ethan Hawke

Need a clarification on your second question, do you mean someone who seems like they could be great but have never been given the chance?

Varun:

I rather loved the film, although since I also liked Ghost Dog and Broken Flowers I guess I'm simply a Jim Jarmusch fan. This is my favorite film out of those three, though it has the simplest plot out of all of them which is saying something.

The film makes it difficult to sell in a way, the main reason I did this strange review which I'm glad most of you liked.

It is a film about the little things and there is just something captivating about the way he goes about showing you these little things. It's often very funny but it's more than that. It is something else.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Is Tilda Swinton not a 5 for Snowpiercer.

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Louis: Is Driver lead or supporting in Silence? Although he disappears halfway through, I think he was just as important to the film as Garfield was when he was onscreen.

Louis Morgan said...

Luke:

I knew I was forgetting one, then move everyone up and add Don Cheadle.

Tahmeed:

Supporting. Although he is very important early he ends up just being part of Rodrigues's story.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: For instance, You liked Dave Bautista in GOTG and Spectre, but you said before that he had potential to be something more if given the chance, whether it's a major lead role or a supporting role with a great deal of substance.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: I would only include actors that haven't had more than a 4 or perhaps a 4.5 from you.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: You really had me worried there with Swinton.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: On talent alone, I think Ben Whishaw deserves a spot on that list, but then again, he's an easy five in The Hollow Crown: Richard II, which you must watch whenever you cover 2012.

Same thing with Mikkelsen, yet is a definite five for The Hunt.

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Louis: Is this your favorite performance by Driver? Also, I'd like to ask for your thoughts on Ryan Gosling as an actor.

Louis Morgan said...

Luke:

1. David Warner (Wish he'd appear in a prominent film again, and he'd actually be #3 in the aforementioned list.)
2. Domhnall Gleeson
3. Liev Schreiber
4. Michael Wincott
5. Michael Ironside

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Time after Time is a likely 4.5 for Warner.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Your thoughts on Ethan Hawke, Liev Schreiber, Domhnall Gleeson and Robert Downey Jr.

Louis Morgan said...

Tahmeed:

It is.

Gosling - (He's downright amazing when he's a guy driving a classic car while finding love in LA it seems. Although I don't think the Driver and Sebastian could be more different. Gosling has actually quite the range and has an ability to be quite dissimilar in roles in an understated way. He's has plenty when it comes to both his comedic and dramatic chops. I would say though he might be an actor who needs to be pushed in the right direction or else he can get a little stale.)

Luke:

Hawke - (A curiously underrated actor in that why does he ever receive that treatment as though he's a bad actor? He's been consistently good throughout his career. He definitely plays within a certain type yet thrives within it to be sure. Plus he's someone who I haven't seen venture out of that type much, but he still certainly knows how to find variation within the type.)

Schreiber - (He just doesn't seem to be able to find the right film, and he's the kind of guy I'd love to see get an Oscar nomination since it would raise his profile in the right way. Schreiber though offers consistently compelling work even when the film is far far from it. I always want him to have the material but that so rarely happens.)

Gleeson - (Like father like son I suppose. Gleeson the younger seems to have inherited his father's talent for having such a grasp for character while doing so in such a decidedly non-fussy way. I'd love to see him get a really meaty part as he's done so well with what we've seen, he even made an impact in True Grit and Dredd despite the brevity and simplicity of those roles. I'm glad he's seem to have caught the casting directors's eyes since I think we could see something very special from him soon.)

Downey - (Again I'm so glad he was so great in Civil War, since he got to show that he's still got it. He's more than just quick talking snark even if that seems like all most want to have him do these days. He's good at it, but the man is capable of much much more. He has an incredible range actually I wish he show it off more often.)

Anonymous said...

Louis: What are your thoughts on Stephen Boyd, Malcolm McDowell, Sean Connery and Clancy Brown as actors?

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: I'm quite sure that he's done McDowell.

Louis Morgan said...

Anonymous:

I've only seen two performances from Boyd I think.

Connery - (An immensely charismatic actor as shown by his earliest work but actually an immensely talented one as well. It is true later on he would potentially indulge in just a standard Connery swagger, which could be entertaining. His best work though, The Hill, The Last Crusade, The Offence, In the Name of the Rose, show a far greater ability from the man whenever he was pushed to show it.)

Brown - (A pretty consistently entertaining character actor. He's great at being a real masochistic jerk, brings quite the style to it. When he's pushed when way or another, as in given the chance to show a different side of his ability, he usually does.)

Anonymous said...

Louis what would be your top fives in TV for 2016.

You know just Best Series, Best Actor etc.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: And Supporting Actor.

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

Anyone have any tips for how to write about film editing? Covering the Oscar nominees now and I realize it's the category most easy to be a bit vague about when describing it.

Anonymous and Luke: Having not seen The Crown, Atlanta, Game of Thrones, and many other series, I'd say for me:

Best Series
1. Westworld
2. 11.22.63
3. Stranger Things
4. The Night Manager
5. The Night Of

Best Actor
1. James Franco, 11.22.63
2. Riz Ahmed, The Night Of
3. John Turturro, The Night Of
4. Tom Hiddleston, The Night Manager
5. David Harbour, Stranger Things

Best Actress
1. Millie Bobby Brown, Stranger Things
2. Thandie Newton, Westworld
3. Evan Rachel Wood, Westworld
4. Winona Ryder, Stranger Things
5. Sarah Paulson, The People v.s. O.J. Simpson

Best Supporting Actor
1. Jeffrey Wright, Westworld
2. Anthony Hopkins, Westworld
3. Ed Harris, Westworld
4. Jimmi Simpson, Westworld
5. Hugh Laurie, The Night Manager
HM: Louis Herthum, Westworld

Best Supporting Actress
1. Sarah Gadon, 11.22.63
2. Sidse Babett Knudsen, Westworld
3. Olivia Colman, The Night Manager
4. Elizabeth Debicki, The Night Manager
5. Natalia Dyer, Stranger Things

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: If you do see The Crown, I guarantee Jared Harris would be your #1 in the guest actor category.

Louis Morgan said...

Anonymous:

Series:

1. 11.22.63
2. Westworld
3. The Night Of
4. Game of Thrones
5. Stranger Things

Actor:

1. John Turturro - The Night Of
2. Riz Ahmed - The Night of
3. James Franco - 11.22.63
4. Courtney B. Vance - American Crime Story
5. Wagner Moura - Narcos

Actress:

1. Evan Rachel Wood - Westworld
2. Thandie Newton - Westworld
3. Sarah Gadon - 11.22.63
4. Rhea Seehorn - Better Call Saul
5. Sarah Paulson - American Crime Story

Supporting Actor:

1. Jeffrey Wright - Westworld
2. Anthony Hopkins - Westworld
3. Bill Camp - The Night Of
4. David Harbour - Stranger Things
5. Jon Bernthal - Daredevil

Supporting Actress:

1. Millie Bobbie Brown - Stranger Things
2. Sophie Turner - Game of Thrones
3. Sidse Babett Knudsen - Westworld
4. Carice van Houten - Game of Thrones
5. Jeannie Berlin - The Night Of

Anonymous said...

Calvin: I think Louis has given his thoughts on film editing in his review of DDL's performance in My Beautiful Laundrette. You could take his thoughts as tips for your article about film editing.

Calvin Law said...

Anonymous: Will do! Thanks

Louis: Wow! Was not expecting you to love The Night Of that much. Could I have your thoughts on the series overall, and Ahmed, Turturro and Camp?

Calvin Law said...

And Berlin.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Is it possible for Jeremy Irons to go up to a 5 for The Mission.

Robert MacFarlane said...

Surprised you didn't squeeze Michael McKean in for Supporting Actor.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Though you don't give ratings to TV Performances as of yet, I'd like to ask you which performances from Game Of Thrones would definitely be around the 4.5-5 rating for you by the show's end.

Louis Morgan said...

Calvin:

I have to say I am interested in the British original, Ben Whishaw in Ahmed's role sounds very interesting but I digress.

The series I found an immensely compelling. It's not flawless by any means, Amara Karan's whole character is a weak point, I also wish we had gotten a bit more of Peyman Moaadi, but how gripping it was overall more than made up for it. I have to say in its realization of the New York City I loved the certain authenticity in captured in terms of creating the setting, honestly certain casting, like Jeannie Berlin, contributed greatly to that.

This is one I almost did not need the main mystery to work for me to have liked it, as I just loved so much in terms of the smaller moments. I found it balanced humor with some very emotional material quite well. I did find the mystery worked though, but what I found most engaging was more of the processes it portrayed the process of the crime itself, the criminal prosecution process or the process of surviving in prison.

Ahmed - (A very interesting enigmatic performance. In the first episode he is pretty much outstanding in so effectively making just this likable young guy, then taking him through the emotional ringer. He makes you feel every moment of that episode. I will say I did feel that was the highlight of his performance. Nevertheless he does a great job though in portraying the difficult nature of him as he only lets you in so far later, and allows essentially a reasonable doubt that he might be guilty. He is great though with the rest of the time in internalizing the process of being in the prison. In first echoing the very real fear in being put in such a place then slowly transitioning it to this confidence that ends up actually being rather disturbing as we see the earnest young guy twisted by the end, in what feels like a natural gradual process.)

Louis Morgan said...

Turturro - (His best performance since Barton Fink. Turturro just is on top of it all here as he really takes a bit of an atypical approach to the down on his luck lawyer. In that he's actually pretty up beat at first showing the guy as basically a go-getter in terms of finding the bad cases. He's quite entertaining in portraying this sort of mentality as well as enjoyably realizing the character's constant trouble living in his own skin. Turturro though doesn't beat this guy down. He feels very fresh in that he shows us a guy whose technically comfortable in his cynical job since he knows he's sending guilty people to prison just for less time. Turturro is outstanding though as he transitions to having a real connection to the case. His final appeal scene is downright amazing in that he makes it convincing that what happens would happen, but also is just downright heartbreaking as he reveals just how passionate the man has become to see some sort of justice done.)

Camp - (Loved his performance, as I thought he managed to give a brand new take on such a well worn character. The detective on his last case has been done before, but I don't think it has ever been done quite like the way Camp pulls it off. He's somehow so incisive in such different way yet you feel the way he controls a situation nonetheless. He's brilliant in the opening investigation scene as he's just smooth in the way he realizes the method to create the guilt so to speak. He continues to be great throughout though in showing his change of mind in also such a different way. He's colder than you might expect about it yet he in no way loses the emotional impact of it. It only feels right to the character we met in his first scene.)

Berlin - (Not who'd you'd usually expect in the role of the dynamite prosecutor. She even plays into this so well in her early scenes as she's rather endearing in just being so pleasant as she handles well the pleasantries early on the case. When she becomes the direct prosecutor Berlin doesn't change her style up all that much, just this slight adjustment that suddenly makes her a more than worthy "opponent". In that Berlin plays it almost like a teacher as though she's just showing whoever the witness is how they are wrong, or explaining to the culprit how he is in fact guilty.)

Luke:

I'd say it is possible.

Sorry Luke, I won't do it.

Robert:

He'd be my #6.

Louis Morgan said...

Calvin:

By the way Calvin, looking at our lineups, I suppose it shows that making movie category placements is relatively easy in comparison.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Is TV the plan after the bonus rounds.

Louis Morgan said...

Luke:

I think I'll play it by ear.

Bryan L. said...

From Ralph Fiennes review in Coriolanus:

"Malcolm McDowell - (Malcolm McDowell is an actor who now seems to be frequently cast as a "British person" literally in the case of a South Park episode. Judging by his excellent performance in A Clockwork Orange and Ganger No. 1, if the material is present McDowell more than delivers with his aggressive performance style. When he's playing just the British guy role, perhaps turned down by Terence Stamp, he's usually still good if a bit standard. I wish he'd get a juicy role again one of these days since I know he can be better than standard."

Luke Higham said...

Louis: I really hope we'll get Rylance's review sometime this year.

Bryan L. said...

Louis: Thoughts on Adam Driver now that you've seen him in this and in Silence? Or do you still want to see more of him?

Louis Morgan said...

94dk1:

I would say I still need to see more of him. I have to say though he's someone I'll be very interested to see more of now that his profile is growing.

Anonymous said...

Louis: How would you rank all five Spider-Man live action films?

Brennan said...

Definitely your best review! I started reading it in Driver's voice, too.

As with you, I couldn't exactly pin down why I liked the film and performance so much but he is just so compelling in the role for whatever reason. Maybe it is because he's just Adam Driver.

Good job!

Louis Morgan said...

Anonymous:

1. Spider-man 2

2. Spider-man



3. The Amazing Spider-man









4. Spider-man 3
















5. The Amazing Spider-man 2

Brennan:

Thanks.

Michael Patison said...

1. Andrew Garfield
2. Michael Keaton
3. Joel Edgerton
4. Chris Pine
5. Adam Driver

Michael Patison said...

Luke: I completely agree about The Crown. Magnificent series and Harris is absolutely heartbreaking. If he isn't nominated for an Emmy it will be an absolute travesty.

Calvin Law said...

Louis: Yeah, like I have no idea where to place most of my choices. Like Bacon, Newton, Brown...and you could even argue that Hopkins is a lead. I'd say the only easy choices were obvious leads like Franco, or obvious supporting roles like Knudsen.

Anonymous said...

This is your best review Louis, would you consider it one of your new favorites?

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Louis: Is it possible for Driver's score to go up for Silence on a rewatch? Cause in a rewatch, his work had even more of an impact for me.

Calvin Law said...

So I re-watched Loving, and I actually think Edgerton could sneak into the edges of Louis' top 5 if his reapprisal of the film turns for the better. That's what it did for me, I kind of love the film now (no pun intended), and Edgerton is just on the cusp of my top 5 (he's fighting out for that spot with Radcliffe and Mortensen).

Michael McCarthy said...

Edgerton's a very solid 4.5 for me, which is actually pretty great considering how little I was expecting to like him or the film.

Charles H said...

Edgerton's a 5 for me. Very solid, and great chemistry with Negga.

Luke Higham said...

Is it just me or are we gonna have another Trintignant/Courtenay situation with Edgerton, yet won't be as egregious, due to the academy getting it right this year.

Robert MacFarlane said...

Edgerton is my win. Took me three months to realize it.

Calvin Law said...

I think I actually prefer Edgerton to Courtenay, great as he was (though Courtenay has the least material out of these three) and would put him on par with Trintignant. It's work that really grows on you. I think I'm most in tune with Charles on this since I think his chemistry with Negga is the best part of the performance, and also the re-watch didn't diminish her work at all.

Luke: Essentially, in most other year's I'd call it an egregious snub but since I love all 5 nominees this year, I'll give it a pass.

Anonymous said...

Louis: When you were reviewing alternate lead 1971 in April 2016. Where did you see that version of King Lear with Paul Scofield? I can't find it anywhere.

Álex Marqués said...

Which is Louis' top 5 for last year's Best Supporting Actress?

Luke Higham said...

Alex:
1. Felicity Jones
2. Imogen Poots
3. Jena Malone
4. Abbey Lee
5. Janelle Monae

Anonymous said...

Louis: Your cast for a David Lynch version of Neon Demon.

Louis Morgan said...

Tahmeed:

It's quite possible.

Anonymous:

I believe it was on youtube at the time.

Anonymous:

Jesse: Mia Sara
Dean: Kyle MacLachlan
Robert: Chris Sarandon
Roberta: Francesca Annis
Jack McCarther: Jack Nance
Hank: Dennis Hopper
Gigi: Kim Cattrall
Sarah: Rebecca De Mornay
Ruby: Isabella Rossellini

Anonymous said...

Louis: Your thoughts on Dana Delany as Lois Lane and Malcolm McDowell as Metallo.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: In terms of anticipation, which year from this decade did you look forward to the most. That includes 2017 as well.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Your thoughts on the super bowl trailers.

Louis Morgan said...

Anonymous:

Delany - (She takes the right approach to Lois which is essentially the Rosalind Russell in His Girl Friday approach. In that she brings the right moxy so to speak, and a lot of she does has the right sarcastic edge. Her work though brings more than that though and when things needs to get a bit more emotional she absolutely delivers particularly in the death of Clark Kent.)

McDowell - (He's good in his early appearance in just being a smug villain as you'd expect. Later on though he actually effectively conveys some real anguish in his voice in the actually Metallo episode. Then he also gives a strong alternative take in his Steel man episode in a strange way where he essentially is trying to rediscover his old evil self again.)

Luke:

Couldn't say exactly.

Ghost in the Shell - (I have to say this film looks like it could be some uninspired direction with some inspired production design. In that it looks like it should look cooler but it is presented in such a way that I find it kind of banal looking. I hope its good but this in no way makes me excited to see it.)

Pirates - (Well this was a bit obvious. Johnny Cash song does not make great trailer, they should have noticed that Logan also had some compelling imagery to go along with it. This does not. As someone who isn't even that big a fan of the first Pirates I found this terribly uninteresting.)

Guardians - (They're really playing this one close to the chest, which is fine as they just keep showing more or less the same material but with an extra joke. That's fine as the joke usually is funny.)

Transformers - (Yeah I'm probably never going to see this film, even though it looks like Anthony Hopkins might be trying.)

Fate of the Furious - (Looks really really dumb, which is just fine by me.)

Didn't watch Logan, as I've seen enough.

Anonymous said...

I honestly have no hopes for the Ghost in the Shell movie. Live-action adaptations of anime never work. But I could see Cowboy Bebop and Black Lagoon working well in live-action.

Charles H said...

Louis: Your top 3 Jack Nicholson and Paul Scofield performances.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Your top 5 Paul Giamatti performances.

Louis Morgan said...

Charles:

Nicholson:

1. Cuckoos
2. Five Easy Pieces
3. Chinatown

Scofield:

1. A Man For All Seasons
2. King Lear
3. The Crucible

Louis Morgan said...

Luke:

1. John Adams
2. Sideways
3. American Splendor
4. Win Win
5. 12 Years a Slave