Thursday 14 September 2017

Alternate Best Actor 1949: Anton Walbrook in The Queen of Spades

Anton Walbrook did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Captain Herman Suvorin in The Queen of Spades.

The Queen of Spades has decent atmosphere and some great moments, though it perhaps has too much time between each of them, following the story of a Russian soldier going about a most unusual plan to win at cards.

The Austrian actor Anton Walbrook who perhaps made his international name through the films of Powell and Pressburger, here stars in perhaps less complex role as a Gothic villain. I must say the plan of Captain Herman Suvorin in this film is not exactly the most sensible even for a greedy louse. He goes about by first slowly seducing a Countess's ward in order to just get access to the Countess to demand to know basically how to supernaturally cheat at cards, because he read that she should know in a book, then use that knowledge against the rich officers he refuses to usually play cards with. Captain Suvorin has a serious not being able to see the forest for the trees problem, but I digress. As little as Suvorin's plan makes a whole lot of sense we get Walbrook here acting in as a highly unsympathetic rouge, there is more than a little entertainment to be found from this. In the first half of the film Walbrook is rather successful at being a slimy creep in his method of seduction, that involves very little passion just some random threats. Walbrook to his credit somehow makes it sort of work in his own style to this as he has this persuasive quality within his essentially pretty pathetic words. Walbrook never hides that the Captain is this terrible man yet he still fashions a convincing Lothario through his unique presence as actor. 

After making his way into the ward's mind though he gets to come in and threaten the Countess in order to learn her secrets. It is in this scene where we see Walbrook working up towards something in creating the vicious greed of Suvorin. This is but a warmup though when Suvorin using what he gained from the confrontation finally plays cards. Now this scene is where really is all that matters in regards to Walbrook's performance. Now to be sure Walbrook is pretty over the top here in his darting eyes, and the sheer almost drooling joy in his delivery every time he says "My win" or bets again. He's goes pretty hammy here to be sure, but I would be lying if I did not say I did not find him to be wildly entertaining in his portrayal of the mad greed of the Captain. Walbrook is a hoot throughout the scene in just going all in both literally and metaphorically as they play with Captain seemingly having supernatural help. Eventually though, given that this is a Gothic morality tale, the helps runs out leading to Suvorin losing everything. This thankfully gives us all some more of that very rare rather glorious, delicious, ham from Walbrook in his realization of the Captin's insane ramblings as he loses his mind after he loses the game. Anton Walbrook's performance is not this realization of this complex character it is rather creating essentially a straw man to be burned by the moral of the story basically. In this perhaps somewhat simplistic way Walbrook's work here is a success, it is not a great performance by any margin, however it is rather fun to watch.

141 comments:

Luke Higham said...

Saw a couple of images of David Harbour as Hellboy and there couldn't be a more perfect casting besides Perlman.

Anonymous said...

Louis: Your thoughts on Ron Perlman as an actor.

Justin said...

Louis: Have you seen the trailer for All The Money in the World and if so what are your thoughts?

Robert MacFarlane said...

I saw mother!

Holy fucking shit fuck.

Deiner said...

Louis: thoughts and ratings on the rest of the cast.

Also, the ratings of these performances:
- Abbey Lincoln in "For Love of Ivy"
- Barbara Hancock in "Finian's Rainbow"
- Beverly Garland in "Pretty Poison"
- Delphine Seyrig in "Stolen Kisses"
- Eileen Heckart in "No Way to Treat a Lady"
- Estelle Winwood in "The Producers"
- Jane Merrow in "The Lion in Winter"
- Janice Rule in "The Swimmer"
- Judi Dench in "Iris"
- Paul Bettany in "A Beautiful Mind"
- Peter Boyle in "Monster's Ball"
- The cast of Zoolander

Deiner said...

I envy you Robert. I'm dying to watch that film!

Luke Higham said...

Robert: Could you give a one word opinion on the performances to prevent spoilers.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: If you're watching Mother! before posting the next review, could I have your thoughts on the film and cast.

Robert MacFarlane said...

Luke:

Lawrence - Great
Bardem - good
Pfeiffer - fun
Harris - okay
Everyone else - There


The movie - WHAT THE FUUUUUUUUUUUU

Calvin Law said...

Hm. Doesn't seem like the exceptional film some reviews I've read have implied, but I'll check it out for Walbrook.

Really hope he gets upgraded for Colonel Blimp.

Calvin Law said...

Justin: Louis posted his thoughts on the previous review.

Robert MacFarlane said...

Okay, now that the shock has worn off a bit, I... think I loved it? i mean, I'm usually not one for Aronofsky, but this clicked more with me than his others (sans maybe The Wrestler, which accurately depicted New Jersey as a grey-skied hellhole).

Calvin Law said...

I thought Twin Peaks Season 2 was going down the drain, ut wow that episode 6 really saved it. Gordon Cole is such a delight, I hope Lynch's given himself a substantial role in upcoming episodes. I'd say the only part of the plot I'm finding a bit stagnant is all the Benjamin Horne business stuff, hopefully it'll pick up, and I'm finding Joan Chen a bit lacklustre.

Calvin Law said...

Although she had one very good scene in this episode.

Calvin Law said...

Also Louis, I'm trying not to look up stuff for fear of spoilers, but do you know if Al Strobel does both the voices for Mike and Gerard? He's one of my favourite bit players on the show.

Giuseppe Fadda said...

I completely agree that Lynch is really wonderful as Gordon Cole. He's hilarious. I have to say that while I can understand perfectly any complaint against Joan Chen's performance, but I thought it worked very well. It's definitely a rather weird performance in terms of some of her choices in delivery and body language but I think they end up being quite fitting to the role and the tone of her storyline. Not to mention that I find Josie one of the most interesting characters of the series.

Regarding Al Strobel, I think he does both voices (I looked it up and I haven't found any source that says he was dubbed) and I'd agree he's one of the strongest supporting players.

Louis Morgan said...

Saw Mother!, put me in the hate column.

Anonymous:

Ron Perlman is an interesting case in that I'd say he was possibly meant to be a leading man with his fantastic voice, and charisma yet due to his let's say less than traditional physical appearance we only ever got that in Hellboy. Perlman I'd say is guaranteed at least to offer something unique to a role, I wouldn't say that is always an amazing thing, but it is only something he can bring. I wouldn't say there is this list of great performances by Perlman, still I always enjoy seeing him to at least some extent, I certainly always enjoy hearing him, yet outside of Hellboy he's always stayed as that certain character brought in to do his thing, yet unfortunately rarely beyond that.

Deiner:

Evans - 3.5(She tends to bring something no matter how limited her part may be. She is of course does well as sort of the haughty countess who likes to be left to her own devices. She's quite good though in playing up the right mystery without seeming too ambiguous in her reactions to her scene with Walbrook. She does well in suggesting just perhaps an overt fear of the man, but also maybe that she knows just a bit more than she's letting on.)

Mitchell - 3(Her role is limited yet she's appropriately sweet and moving in portraying her devotion to Walbrook's Captain in order to make him properly reprehensible. She doesn't get to do too much yet she brings needed humanity to one of his victims.)

The rest of the performances all serve their purpose but are pretty limited.

4
2.5
3.5
4
3
3.5
3
3
3
3.5
3.5

Stiller - 3.5
Taylor - 3
Duchovny - 3.5
Ferrell - 3
Jovovich - 3
Wilson - 3
Voight - 3
Stiller Sr. - 3

Calvin:

He does both voices, and it's funny that he's another accidental amazing actor in the show.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Thoughts on Mother! and the cast. Well, I didn't expect you to love it after being indifferent to Black Swan and I'm not surprised you hated it more.

Charles H said...

I got a feeling Louis didn't love Bardem or the cast too much.

Louis Morgan said...

Luke:

Well I'm not going to get into much to give everyone else the chance to see whether they love it or hate it, though I did accurately predict what was going on from the first shot. All I will say is I was actually with it for the first half where it is a more earthly allegory, but when it turned to the second half and the biblical allegory that is when I just got tired of it very quickly.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Would you be able to give ratings though.

And Ratings/Thoughts on the cast of Enemy At The Gates and Tom Cruise in Vanilla Sky.

Louis Morgan said...

Luke:

Right now I'll just say the performances weren't the problem for me.

I'd need to really re-watch those films to give proper thoughts on them, though I recall liking the performances in both.

Deiner said...

Louis: This is off topic, and I don't really know if you've been asked this before but, what are your thoughts on Mika Levi's score for "Jackie"?

Luke Higham said...

Claire Foy's playing Lisbeth Salander. As much as I love Foy, it's Mara or Nobody for me.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: What do you think of the images released of David Harbour as the new Hellboy.

Robert MacFarlane said...

I think mother! will be one of those films that I really like but can't really defend.

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Louis: For Film Thoughts-
Twin Peaks Seasons 1-3
Silicon Valley Seasons 1-4

Omar Franini said...

Robert and Louis: How did the audience reacted in your theatres to mother! ? Did someone walk out during the last part of the movie? When i was in Venice i think at least 20/30 people walked out of the theatre because of one scene, i hope you did understand which scene i'm talking about.

Luke Higham said...

Tahmeed: He's listed them down, but there's about 50 films/TV Seasons to write beforehand.

Louis Morgan said...

Deiner:

You can find my thoughts on it in my review of Michael Shannon in Nocturnal Animals.

Luke:

I will say it is at least somewhat intriguing just in that it would be a major departure for Foy.

Well I'll say the look of the character is definitely on point.

Omar:

There were several walkouts with some audible "this movie is awful" type sentiments while leaving.

Bryan L. said...

Speaking of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (in the last post anyway), Jim Carrey is set to star in a comedy series for Showtime.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Your thoughts on the Smaug/Bard scene from The Battle Of The Five Armies.

Matt Mustin said...

R.I.P Harry Dean Stanton. One of the great character actors. Incomparable.

Luke Higham said...

RIP Harry Dean Stanton, One of the greatest of all-time. :(

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Oh my god, RIP Harry Dean Stanton :'(

Luke Higham said...

I guess Lucky is a definite review now.

Omar Franini said...

RIP Harry Dean Stanton.

Louis Morgan said...

RIP the greatest character actor who ever lived.

Luke:

It always was.

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Now I really hope the Academy gives him that Oscar nomination. If he miraculously gets in, I'll root for him no matter what.

Charles H said...

R.I.P Harry Dean Stanton. Quite shocked by this. Legendary actor.

Anonymous said...

R.I.P. Harry Dean Stanton. One of the greatest character actors of all time.

Calvin Law said...

Watching future Twin Peaks episodes, and Lucky is gonna be a lot tougher now.

Álex Marqués said...

This is awful... RIP Harry Dean Stanton.

Bryan L. said...

RIP Harry Dean Stanton.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Out of the major Oscar categories, do you think Lead Actress is the hardest to predict this year.

Calvin Law said...

Louis: I don't think I've ever asked for your thoughts on Stanton in The Green Mile, what do you make of him there? He's a riot.

Matt Mustin said...

Louis: What are your top 20 Harry Dean Stanton acting moments (you can probably write a whole blog about his great acting moments)

Anonymous said...

Louis: your top 10 robert forster acting moments

Robert MacFarlane said...

Louis: I know you hated it, but what do you think of my theory that mother! is partially Aronofsky admitting he royally fucked up his marriage to Rachel Weisz?

Louis Morgan said...

Matt:

1. Travis tells his Story - Paris, Texas
2. His Scene - The Straight Story
3. "You Calling me an asshole" - Repo Men
4. Watching the soul ascend - Twin Peaks
5. Explaining where he's been - Paris, Texas
6. Strange Murder - Wild At Heart
7. Becoming a Father - Paris, Texas
8. Holding up the Bank - Straight Time
9. Helping Shelly - Twin Peaks
10. Crazy Caller - Wild At Heart
11. Rules of the Repo Man - Repo Men
12. Ride into town - Twin Peaks
13. Brett Finds the Cat - Alien
14. Car chase - Paris, Texas
15. Hitting the Card Game - Straight Time
16. The truth is revealed - Wise Blood
17. Get the car outta this bad neighborhood - Repo Men
18. Fake Execution - The Green Mile
19. Complaining about pay - Alien
20. AVENGE ME - Red Dawn

And yes you could. Honorable mentions to "are you alien", Chewing out The Rose, meeting the Brain, The Quaker, "been places", you know every scene he ever had to be honest.

Calvin:

He's hilarious in every moment he's onscreen in his perfect realization of the particularly crude, yet immensely likable trustee inmate. Stanton as always just made the character his own even though the part has what like a minute of screen time, yet he actually steals them particularly during the practice scene.

Anonymous:

Forster:

1. Saying goodbye to Jackie - Jackie Brown
2. Calling Harry - Twin Peaks
3. "Would you believe me?" - Breaking Bad
4. Ordell threatens Cherry - Jackie Brown
5. A visit from a Cooper - Twin Peaks
6. Reflecting on his life - Jackie Brown
7. "It could work" - Jackie Brown
8. Wife rant - Twin Peaks
9. Meeting the man - Breaking Bad
10. The Map - Twin Peaks

Robert:

I'd say it's quite valid, though maybe he also made it as a warning to Jennifer Lawrence at the same time. Honestly I might do a list off of allusions once everyone else sees it.

Anonymous said...

Louis: Your thoughts on the Laketown attack and Bard killing Smaug scenes.

Charles H said...

Louis: Could Forster go up for Jackie Brown.

Robert MacFarlane said...

Louis: I'd sum it up as "The Yellow Wallpaper meets the Old Testament, Except I Also Really Treated My Ex Poorly. The Aristocrats"

Anonymous said...

Louis: Your thoughts on Hartman's introduction scene in Full Metal Jacket.

Calvin Law said...

Louis: your thoughts on the Twin Peaks episode 'Lonely Souls'? I thought the ending was spectacular, and one of Lynch's finest moments, period.

Calvin Law said...

On second thought, maybe don't because it's such a spoiler-y episode. But I think we can agree that pretty much everyone's acting, especially MacLachlan, Zabriskie, Beymer, Wise, and Coulson, were so on point in this one.

Anonymous said...

Louis: your top 10 William H. Macy and Paul Bettany acting moments

RatedRStar said...

R.I.P Harry Dean Stanton

He has been wonderful for so so long, and he got to go out with Twin Peaks, that is something to be proud of, thank you so much for everything Harry.

Giuseppe Fadda said...

Sheryl Lee was also fantastic.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Your rating for Mel Gibson in Lethal Weapon 4.

Luke Higham said...

And Gibson in Maverick.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: What did you think of the Blade Runner 2049 short with Dave Bautista.

Bryan L. said...

I also saw mother! The first movie I've ever seen that made me think "F%@k this movie!" and "This is incredible!" at the same time.

Lawrence: 4.5 (I feel like I saw a new side of her when it came to her quieter moments, though her louder moments are same old Lawrence. She's very good imo.

Bardem- 4 (He's good but I don't know how to describe why.)

Harris- 3.5 (I thought he actually brought some warmth to this whole, uh, experience.)

Pfeiffer- 3

Domnhall- 3.5

Brian- 3

Wiig- Haha



Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Louis: Could I have your updated thoughts on the following Game of Thrones performances, given that you've given a brief description a few years ago.

Maisie Williams
Lena Headey
Liam Cunningham

Luke Higham said...

Louis: And Coster-Waldau, Clarke & McCann.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: And could I have a list of films that you'll be watching through the remainder of September, as well as October.

Omar Franini said...

Louis: What are your ratings and thoughts on Drew Barrymore and Julia Roberts in Confessions of a Dangerous Mind and Eleonora Brown and Jean-Paul Belmondo in La Ciociara?

Bryan L. said...

Everyone: Predictions for who Louis will save if he sees Blade Runner: 2049 and the ratings for the cast? Ford seems like a safe bet but I am curious if Gosling and Bautista will get their own reviews.

Gosling- 4.5
Ford-4.5 (though a 5 may not be out of the question)
Leto- ?
Armas- 3 but maybe a 3.5
Wright- 4
Abdi- 3
Bautista- 4.5


Luke Higham said...

94dfk1: I've a really good feeling about Bautista. I very much like the character he appears to be playing after watching the short film. so I'm gonna predict a 4.5 for Dave and 4.5/5s for Gosling & Ford and a 4 for Leto, though it'll go either way.

Luke Higham said...

94dfk1: At this point in time with only 7 Lead performances saved so far, I'm pretty sure Gosling and Ford will be in the running. I think Bautista will be saved (The long running time certainly helps) and Leto for the time being if it does turn out to be a rather great turn from him.

Anonymous said...

Louis: What are your top 20 underrated actors?

Bryan L. said...

Luke: Bautista seems like he'll really shine in this role, which appears to be reminiscent, yet still distinct (if that makes sense) to Hauers in the original. Maybe even Armas could be good since she appears to be a counterpoint of sorts to Goslings character; here's hoping she develops a rapport with him.

Luke Higham said...

94dfk1: Thinking about it more, A five wouldn't be out of the question either for Bautista. As long as he gets enough screen time that is.

Anonymous said...

Louis: Your thoughts on Ben McKenzie as Batman and Bryan Cranston as Gordon in the Year One animated adaptation.

Calvin Law said...

Bautista looks great from that short film, but I doubt he'll have all that much screentime.

Louis Morgan said...

Anonymous:

The lake town Bard sequence is half something rather great that being Luke Evans's performance which I did find managed to make the moment resonate with the story of the father doing whatever it took to save his family. The moment of killing Smaug itself I find one of the best directed moments by Jackson in that trilogy as it has the right focus with performances, with just that poignant bit of music, along with the "look at me" and the execution of Smaug is very well done. Having said that it should have been the end of a move rather the beginning, and past that the destruction of the town isn't all that well done. It also is not helped by the bad hi-jinks of Stephen Fry and Alfrid. To further this though the death of Smaug is a natural climax and again I'll really reiterate the whole last portion of the book needed to heavily re-written to make it truly cinematic. Bard actually was heavily re-written as a character, and in turn it's one of the best aspects of that problematic trilogy.

Anonymous:

If Lou Gossett's first scene in An Officer and a Gentleman is a slap in the face, this one is a kick in another more painful place, and I mean that in a very good way. Kubrick and especially R. Lee Ermey make it an absolutely brutal breakdown of everything, creating such menace in the moment yet not without a certain dark streak of humor found in every beat of the Sergeant's unrelenting viciousness. Ermey's performance doesn't let up, and Kubrick amplifies it through his choices that seems to place confined within every moment.

Anonymous:

Macy:

1. "I answered your question" - Fargo
2. Finder's fee - Fargo
3. Happy new year - Boogie Nights
4. Discount on Undercoating - Fargo
5. A plan that doesn't make sense - Fargo
6. I'll fax you those numbers - Fargo
7. Practicing - Fargo
8. Late to the massacre - Fargo
9. First visit from Marge - Fargo
10. A Lot of love to give - Magnolia

Bettany:

1. Confronting Aubrey - Master and Commander
2. Final commendation - Dogville
3. Self Surgery - Master and Commander
4. Seeing the ship - Master and Commander
5. Town meeting - Dogville
6. Killing Lennie Taylor - Gangster Number One.
7. Finding her - Dogville
8. Ending - Master and Commander
9. Charles randomly appears - A Beautiful Mind
10. Interrogating Eddie - Gangster Number One.

Louis Morgan said...

Luke:

Since I forgot to mention it earlier, I'd say nominations wise Supporting Actress is hardest to predict at the moment, as it often is, however actress right now is pretty difficult given the amount of previous winners among the contenders.

3.5,4

The Blade Runner short as directed certainly was far more impressive than what Luke Scott did with Alien Covenant. It isn't anything extraordinary in that sense, but it's solid job. What stands out in it though is Dave Bautista who seems to be proving that his performance as Drax was no fluke. Bautista seems like he could offer something rather special in the final film, as this was pretty remarkable work from him from just a couple minutes of screentime.

Maybe KingsMen if it's well reviewed.
American Made
Blade Runner
The Snowman
Suburbicon

And the following depending on how wide they get:

Battle of the Sex
Stronger
Lucky

Tahmeed:

I was thinking about doing the cast ranking, that had been discussed at an earlier time, although I'm not sure I'll have the time, so probably get you the thoughts just give me a little time.

Omar:

Barrymore - 3(She's brings a bit of a matching energy to Rockwell that's somewhat endearing though I didn't find she left too much of an impression overall.)

Roberts - 2.5(Didn't hate her here by any measure however I don't think she successfully went against type. Although she wasn't wholly unbelievable as a femme fatale she wasn't exactly a great femme fatale either.)

Brown - 3.5(She's pretty charming in the early scenes in portraying just effectively a certain optimism which contrasts well against the later portion of her performance. I will say though this is a touch of a mixed bag for me. There's times where she's truly haunting in portraying the catatonic state of the character, however she is quite consistent with it, and I will say in this regard she ends up leaving Loren to keep that haunting quality more consistent that she does herself.)

Belmondo - 3.5(Found him to be far more charming here than I did in his leading turn from that year, though maybe that's because I did not have to actually hear him. Belmondo though physically embodies the role well offering a definite charm in the way he exudes a certain discontent within the character yet does so with the right measure of optimism within it as well.)

Anonymous:

Harry Dean Stanton
Richard Attenborough
Tom Courtenay
Guy Pearce
Robert Ryan
Ben Foster
Laird Cregar
John Cazale
Richard Jordan
Eli Wallach
Philip Baker Hall
Edward Arnold
Robert Donat
Roger Livesey
Christopher Lloyd
Alastair Sim
David Warner
Ernest Borgnine
Burl Ives
Ray Milland

Calvin Law said...

I've just gotten up to S02E09 of Twin Peaks. I found it absolutely incredible, and I have to say I'm kind of wary of following up from it, and may follow Louis' advice on skipping to the final episode + watching Fire Walk With Me. It was an exceptional episode though, and I must say it reached the most emotional heights of Lynch outside of maybe The Elephant Man, for me.

My cast rankings for the main/secondary cast at this point in the series:

1. Ray Wise
2. Kyle MacLachlan
3. Sherilyn Fenn
4. Russ Tamblyn
5. Dana Ashbrook
6. Everett McGill
7. Richard Beymer (though I hear he gets worse)
8. Sheryl Lee
9. Harry Goaz
10. Kimmy Robertson
11. Jack Nance
12. Piper Laurie
13. Michael Horse
14. James Marshall
15. Peggy Lipton
16. Mädchen Amick
17. Michael Ontkean
18. Warren Frost
19. Joan Chen
20. Eric Da Re
21. Lara Flynn Boyle

Top 2 all-time great amazing, 3 to 18 range from great to very good, and even the bottom three are decent on the whole and have very good moments.

And for the recurring cast,

1. Miguel Ferrer
2. Don Davis/Al Strobel/Catherine E. Coulson
5. Grace Zabriskie
6. Carel Struycken
7. Lenny Von Dohlen
8. David Patrick Kelly
9. Frank Silva
10. David Lynch
11. Hank Worden
12. Wendy Robie
13. Chris Mulkey
14. Victoria Catlin
15. Ian Buchanan
16. Walter Olkewicz
17. Michael J. Anderson
18. Mary Jo Deschanel
19. Michael Parks
20. Gary Hershberger
21. James Booth

1 - 4 amazing, 3 - 11 all pretty great, 12 - 17 are good with I'd imagine more in store, and 18 - 21 I should probably check the rest of the second season out, as well as for the other cast memebers I haven't come up to yet, to see.

Giuseppe Fadda said...

@Calvin: Beymer's storyline in the second half of the second season is kind of ridiculous, but I'd say he is still quite good in spite of the material.

Henry W said...

This is an interesting blog. I am new here so I look forward to reading what you have here.

Calvin Law said...

Giuseppe: I've decided I'll give the second half of season 2 a go, just for the performances.

What's everyone's hopes for the Emmys tonight? I haven't seen everything of course, but for me:

1. Jeffrey Wright for Best Supporting Actor (unlikely)
2. Westworld or Better Call Saul for Best Drama (unlikely)
3. Claire Foy for Best Actress (likely)
4. Thandie Newton or Millie Bobby Brown for Best Supporting Actress (unlikely)
5. Bob Odenkirk for Best Actor (could be more likely than I'd imagine)
6. Riz Ahmed, John Turturro, or Bill Camp winning something (somewhat likely)

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: Wright, Foy and Newton/Brown yet as I said before, The Emmys don't matter all that much to me. I actually prefer the Globes and SAG over it, since they don't go with the Episode submission rules.

I will admit I have no problems when it comes to the Directing categories, but it's so frustrating when it comes to the acting.

Calvin Law said...

Luke: agreed, it somewhat makes sense for the directing categories but makes something like Wright's performance have absolutely no chance to win. Though honestly they should just have given it to McKean if they're going to do that since Chicanery in itself is a great performance.

Giuseppe Fadda said...

Regarding the Emmys I'm mostly hoping for a Nicole Kidman win. I also loved Susan Sarandon, Carrie Coon and especially Jessica Lange, but Kidman was phenomenal in Big Little Lies. I'm also hoping for a Jackie Hoffman's surprise win in the supporting category, though I highly doubt it will happen and the other nominees are worthy anyway. I have to say I'm kind of torn on most of the other categories though. I loved Molina, Skarsgard and Thewlis in the Supporting Actor in a Tv Movie/Miniseries category and I don't have a strong preference among the three. Same goes for the Supporting Actress in a Drama Series category: I guess I'm rooting for Brown, but I also loved Ann Dowd, Uzo Aduba and particularly Samira Wiley (I've yet to see Westworld or This is Us).

On a side note, I actually think Foy won't win tonight. I'm predicting Elizabeth Moss for the Handmaid's Tale and she would be very deserving.

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: And David Thewlis in Fargo.

Henry W said...

Foy is amazing, but I'd be fine with a Moss win, although she wasn't as excellent in realizing her character as Foy. Either way, both would be deserving winners, with Foy being the more savvy choice if it went to her.

Omar Franini said...

Everyone: How would you rank the Limited series categories?

Mine would be:

Limited Series, very difficult to rank since i really liked every miniseries; 1) Fargo 2) The Night of 3) Feud 4) Big Little Lies

Actor; 1) Ahmed 2) Turturro 3) McGregor 4) Cumberbatch 5) De Niro

Actress; 1) Kidman 2) Sarandon 3) Coon 4) Lange 5) Huffman 6) Whiterspoon

Sup. Actor; 1) Thewlis 2) Williams 3) Molina 4) Skarsgard 5) Camp 5) Tucci

Sup. Actress; 1) Davis 2) King 3) Woodley 4) Pfeiffer 5) Dern 6) Hoffman

Robert MacFarlane said...

My only hope is that Stranger Things doesn't get Best Drama. The more I think about it, the less I like it.

Álex Marqués said...

I really liked BLL, but didn't care too much about TNO (even though I really likes the first couple of episodes, and I hope Ahmed wins).
Fargo was fine, but not on the same level as the previous season IMO. That being said, MEW was excellent and I hate the fact she didn't get a nom. Haven't seen the rest.




Henry W said...

Here's a bit of a left of field question, but if the actresses in the Best Drama Actress category had their roles swapped for another role nominated in the category, which one would they suit the most?

Giuseppe Fadda said...

@Omar:

1. Feud
2. Fargo
3. Big Little Lies

Really liked all of them.

1. McGregor (the only one I've seen)

1. Kidman
2. Lange
3. Coon
4. Sarandon
5. Witherspoon

1. Skarsgard
2. Thewlis
3. Molina
4. Tucci

1. Hoffman
2. Dern
3. Davis
4. Woodley

Winstead should have been nominated, and she would have been my 1.

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

I hope Millie Bobby Brown makes Emmy history like she should by winning for Stranger Things.

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Louis: The top 5 fictional educational institutions you would want to go to.
Mine would be-

1. Hogwarts- Harry Potter (The Dumbledore years before the Wizarding Wars)
2. Kunugigaoka Junior High- Assassination Classroom
3. Springfield Elementary-The Simpsons
4. South Park Elementary- South Park
5. UA High School- My Hero Academia

Luke Higham said...

Tahmeed: Hogwarts, no contest. :)

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Luke: Yeah, there's no doubt about it being the one place I've always wanted to go to. :)

Louis: While TV and books are very different, how would you compare each season of Game of Thrones (up till 5, obviously) with its source novel, based on how compelling they were?

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Your ratings for Jeff Daniels in Dumb And Dumber & Pearce and Weaving in The Adventures Of Priscilla, Queen Of The Desert

Luke Higham said...

And Weaving in Fellowship Of The Ring.

Anonymous said...

Louis: What are your top 10 (or 20) underrated actress?

Anonymous said...

Louis: Your thoughts on the Straight Time scene where Max and Jerry hold up a bank.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Your rating for Christopher Lloyd in The Onion Field.

Luke Higham said...

And in Eight Men Out.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: I've been looking at the 1993 overalls again and Addams Family Values is missing.

Louis Morgan said...

Henry W:

Welcome.

Tahmeed:

Hogwarts!, even before the wizarding war there's a bit too high chance of murder by horcrux for my liking. Really The Magic School box school is the only safe one in my mind, or at least the benefits can outweigh the risks.

Game of Thrones/Season 1 I'd say are about equally compelling. Although we are granted more detail, I wouldn't say it is all truly necessary, I really don't care what Tyrion had for breakfast, and perhaps it makes Jon's parentage a little too obvious from the get go. In fact overall I think I'd lean towards Season 1 for several reasons due to Joffrey having a greater impact, Robert being one of the best characters on the show whereas he's frankly a cartoon in the book, Catelyn feeling far less petulant, the ages making more sense and just other boons to the minor roles like Bronn and Maester Luwin being so much more compelling in the show. Of course with the book we are granted Tyrion's battle, but I wouldn't say we lost too much.

Clash of Kings/Season 2, again I think I'm going to side with show. Arya/Tywin is far more interesting than the brief Arya/Roose, not to mention just some extra bits that adds so much like Yoren's story for example. Daenerys's story somehow has less urgency than the show's version which also pretty weak. Other elements such as the condensation of Davos's sons into a son, I think make what happens there have more of an impact actually later on. Again Joffrey carries much more of an impact, as do other minor characters like Bronn and especially Luwin making Theon's story resonate far more. Other elements are sort of tit for tat, and the additional information though offered is certainly nice enough, except Tyrion's breakfasts, I still don't care. I'd probably still side towards the show honestly.

Season 3/A Storm of Swords, obviously here is where things stop lining up really given some stories get far further here than they are in the show. Both are quite compelling though to be sure here offering a bit more into Robb's war, however the Red Wedding itself I find has less of an impact, even though more named characters are killed, since Robb is kept more at a distance, and in the end Catelyn's death isn't permanent. What works works in both, and I'd say the Fist of the First Men is probably perhaps the most important missing battle since reveals the real extent of the destruction of the night's watch while granting a real taste of the White Walkers/Others, but we would later receive this with Hardhome in the show. The major show addition is Theon's torture, which really was required since revealing who Reek is in the books can be a powerful thing, but obviously you can't do that on a show.

Louis Morgan said...

Season 4 again has bits of other books, yet I'd still say in most cases the changes, except one very notable mistake, are for the better particularly Oberyn Martell, also we don't need to deal with what Tyrion vomits after the fight. Again Tyrion's diet always very important.

Now after that point obviously the overlaps change and there are things the book definitely do better like Euron as a character, and not demonizing Stannis for no reason, in particular. The problems though are abundant as well. Where the show got sloppy and a bit too hasty, the books lost all sense of forward momentum with the overarching plot with far too many new characters given as much importance as those one would assume were our central characters originally. Although I do think there could have been a proper middle ground found by the show, if the books were finished, though they ay never be because Martin might have written himself into a corner with his over expansion. So many problems with the show though would not have been resolved just by following the books. Such what happened with Sansa at Winterfell's alternative is actually an even more graphic and disturbing story for a different character, while Sansa is stuck doing almost nothing at all. The show has lost its way to a degree, but so did the books.

Luke:

All 4's for the 94's, and 3.5.

Anonymous:

Joan Fontaine
Shelley Winters
Teresa Wright
Kathleen Byron
Miranda Richardson
Wendy Hiller
Jena Malone
Mia Kirshner
Naomi Watts
Genevieve Bujold
Emily Watson
Claire Trevor
Geraldine Chaplin
Julianne Nicholson
Joanne Woodward
Madeleine Stowe
Illeana Douglas
Jean Simmons
Jennifer Jason Leigh
Mary Elizabeth Winstead

Louis Morgan said...

Anonymous:

An effective scene as it done entirely without glamor typical to really a heist film instead showing these guys almost doing a job literally, though of course as rough robbers they need to project in order to do it. Though again I'd say Hoffman is overshadowed by Stanton in his own movie, together they realize every moment from the tension of the robbery itself, the fear internalized with them while projecting a certain brutality in maintaining a hold over the bank, to the jubilation after the deed is done.

Luke:

3.5's.

Must have forgotten to list them.

Deiner said...

Louis: your ratings and thoughts on Donald Sutherland and Kate Nelligan in Eye of the Needle.

Luke Higham said...

Deiner: Sutherland's a 4.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Aside from Ricci, your ratings on the cast of Addams Family Values.

Anonymous said...

Louis what do you reckon to Dan Stevens as an actor?

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: I feel as if Dan Stevens could be the next Ralph Fiennes. Hell, he's playing Charles Dickens, which Ralph played in The Invisible Woman.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: Having said that, I like Stevens very much. I quit Downton Abbey not long after his departure, as it just wasn't the same without him.

He's quiet terrific in The Guest. Fantastic in Legion and I think his performance in Beauty And The Beast would've been stronger than it was if his Beast was less of a CGI creation.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Your rating for Emayatzy Corinealdi in Middle Of Nowhere.

Deiner said...

Louis: Forgot to ask, your ratings and thoughts on Joanna Cassidy in Under Fire and Mariel Hemingway in Star 80.

Calvin Law said...

Really need to check out Big Little Lies now. I'm hoping Skarsgard is great since he won over Box and Williams.

Calvin Law said...

Also good on Lithgow, even though I was really hoping for good ol' Wright.

Matt Mustin said...

So on the Emmys. I though Colbert was a pretty good host. Not great, but pretty good. I didn't watch any of the shows that were nominated (or, if I did, I'm a few seasons behind) but I'll confess to the fact that I find constant political acceptance speeches self-indulgent and kind of exhausting.

Matt Mustin said...

But I will say that I loved seeing a great Canadian author like Margaret Atwood on the Emmy stage.

Calvin Law said...

The only two winners I saw were Ahmed and Lithgow, both very deserving.

Charles H said...

I despised the political speeches. I don't need it shoved in my face everywhere i go. But nonetheless there were some very deserving wins.

Robert MacFarlane said...

In Trump era, political speeches are a necessary evi in my book. Every bit of resistance is required, even if it is self-serving.

Giuseppe Fadda said...

I'm thrilled for the Kidman, Skarsgard and Moss wins. Ann Dowd was also a rather welcome surprise.

Robert MacFarlane said...

I haven't watch Atlanta or Handmaiden's Tale yet, but I am so happy Donald Glover and Elisabeth Moss are winners now.

Giuseppe Fadda said...

Oh, and I totally agree with Robert about political speeches. They can be indeed quite exhausting or self-indulgent, but righy now they are necessary.

Matt Mustin said...

Robert: It wasn't the Trump stuff that bothered me, it was the self-indulgent "Look how diverse we are" stuff.

Robert MacFarlane said...

Eh, that didn't bother me.

Matt Mustin said...

It only bothered me because everybody based their entire speeches around it.

Calvin Law said...

I haven't seen Atlanta either, or The Handmaid's Tale, but I'm glad to see that eclectic, diverse, and offbeat stuff is being awarded. Plus it's always nice to see Glover upbeat.

Charles H said...

I'm in full agreement with Matt on this one.

Michael McCarthy said...

I predicted most of the acting winners, Ann Dowd was the biggest surprise for me. She was great though, out of all of the nominees her role is probably the most limited but she does a terrific job filling in the cracks of a very odd-putting character.

Giuseppe Fadda said...

I have to admit I thought Samira Wiley was better than Dowd in The Handmaid's Tale, but the latter was still great. She's terrifying in a potentially one-note role.

ruthiehenshallfan99 said...

Meanwhile, Olivia de Havilland is gloating in her Paris home.

Henry W said...

Ok guys I have a question, for the following five 20th Century films, I will name the leading role. Can you list five modern actors for that leading role whom you think would be a good fit for the role?

On the Waterfront (Terry Malloy)

Amadeus (Salieri and Mozart)

My Left Foot (Christy Brown)

Goodfellas (Henry Hill)

One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (Randle McMurphy)

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Really glad that Donald Glover is an Emmy winner now. It is sad that Westworld and Stranger Things both got shut out.

Calvin Law said...

Terry Malloy: Tom Hardy, Matthias Schoenaerts, John Boyega

Salieri/Mozart: Oscar Isaac and Ben Whishaw, Adam Driver and Glenn Howerton

Christy Brown: Cillian Murphy

Henry Hill: Emory Cohen,

Randle McMurphy: Chris Pine

Henry W said...

Calvin:

John Boyega? Really? What about him do you think he could tackle that role well? I agree with the other two suggestions for that role. Do you have any more actors from this time that could do that role justice?

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2REkk9SCRn0

Louis: Could I have your thoughts on the above video? I find it quite beautiful and moving.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Have you seen Robert Duvall as Joseph Stalin.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: And will you get around to watching Fassbender and Gleeson in Trespass Against Us during the alternates.

Anonymous said...

Luke: Looking at IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes, it sounds like Trespass Against Us is not a good movie.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: I know it's middling, but would like to get ratings on them anyway. As a Fassbender fan in particular, I want Louis to watch almost everything he's in with Jonah Hex and Assassin's Creed as exceptions because I do not want his record to be blemished.

Also, Louis hasn't seen Fassbender and Gleeson in the same film together.

Louis Morgan said...

Deiner:

Sutherland & Nelligan - 4(Both are quite effective in their roles and developing that certain type of chemistry needed. I will say though they can't quite make me care about the story of someone committing adultery to go sleep with a vicious Nazi spy, I just wasn't quite sure where the appeal was to be found in a film that sort of wanted to play like romance at times. On that note though Sutherland is very effective in being so cold and bluntly vicious in his performance, while Nelligan is good in at least making sense of her character's actions by conveying the desperation within her character.)

Hemingway - 3.5(She has a certain challenge in her performance, one being Eric Roberts really going for it giving it his all which sort of works some of the time, but not enough of the time, the second being Fosse obviously cared more about Snider more than Stratten. We mostly see Stratten in a fairly limited way which is either as charming and upbeat over her success, or frustrated or scared by her husband. She does both of these things rather well but the film leaves most of the complexity to Roberts.)

Cassidy - 3.5(Her performance is often limited by the role which leaves her often outside of whatever Nolte and Hackman are doing. She's good though in revealing sort of the innate problematic relationship with Hackman, while she's a little less impressive in her scenes with Nolte. Not bad, but they lack sort of the chemistry required for their scenes together. She's quite great though in the ending sequence particularly in granting the blunt visceral reaction to seeing what happens to Hackman's character.)

Anonymous:

I'd need to see more of Stevens, though that Ralph Fiennes's comparison seems fairly apt actually in that he has this certain natural regal quality to him, yet can easily purge that to reveal quite the emotional and character range as an actor. Again I've only seen a few performances from him, two them being in rather small roles, however his work in Legion already suggests he's a considerable talent.

Tahmeed:

Rather beautifully animated, and quite effectively told particularly through the rather clever use of the more standard cartoon trope, of the out of control something other that requires chasing, realizing a rather emotional tale in the end.

Luke:

Julia - 3.5
Huston - 3.5
Lloyd - 3
Cusack - 4
Workman - 2.5
MacNichol - 3

4

Yes I saw Duvall as Stalin. And Yes I can get around to watching Trespass Against Us sometime.