Tuesday 12 December 2017

Alternate Best Actor 1965: Zbigniew Cybulski in The Saragossa Manuscript

Zbigniew Cybulski did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Alfonso van Worden in The Saragossa Manuscript.

The Saragossa Manuscript is not a film that one can easily describe what it is about, it's no surprise to learn that David Lynch holds the film in high esteem, other than there are many stories, stories within stories, and the reality of each isn't always exactly the most understandable. I would say the film is fascinating, the first part of I suppose I could more easily say is quite great, I would probably recommend taking a break though before heading on to the second half which can become quite dizzying.

Well about seven years after his breakout role in Ashes and Diamonds, we find Zbigniew Cybulski once again. In that earlier film Zbigniew Cybulski's performance was fashioned over James Dean, which sadly came to be came prophetic with Cybulski's early death. Cybulski though didn't die as young as James Dean so he continued as an actor, and here we see him a very different role, as a closer to middle aged man. Cybulski in no way plays into that Dean idea here, which would likely be ill-fitting to a man living during the Spanish Inquisition. Cybulski, while not playing the role as James Dean, is actually a very modern presence given the time period still. This is not at all ill-fitting towards the film. In fact Cybulski's approach is very welcome towards the film and in a way help to ease some of the film's mind bending through his approach. Cybulski quite honestly gives a comedic performance here, even though his character goes through torture at the hands of the inquisition, seemingly demonic forces, and all sorts of far more serious subjects to be sure. There's quite a lot going on around the poor Captain of the guards Alfonso, and Cybulski's performance actually acts as a bit of balancing factor to keep it all from it all becoming perhaps too much.

Cybulski's performance, which is often to play Alfonso as the audience at any given point, has what one could call sort of a precursor to a Lynchian style of humor. In that Cybulski's performance often is within some horrifying scenes however these scenes will often become suddenly hilarious without distracting from the scene. This is from Cybulski's work which is notable in that he basically plays the part as a normal guy in this situation with no great ambitions other than for nothing bad to happen to him, and perhaps indulging with some "fair" maidens who claim he's the first man they've ever seen. Cybulski for example, in the scene of meeting these two strange princesses who live in a cavern, and want him to drink out of a skull, portrays a blend of curiosity with bit of a bashfulness of a man who believes he's hit an unexpected jackpot. The potential horror elements naturally being assuaged due to the most intriguing prospect at the center of it all. Cybulski brings the right lack of shame in this indulgence and he is rather amusing just to watch deal with this entanglement of sorts. Of course this entanglement never seems to end well when he always wakes up at the end of it among corpses.

Now one major similarity between his work here and the last time I reviewed him in Ashes and Diamonds, is the fact that despite being lead in both films, he's just barely lead in each. This film once again does devote the most time to his story however this is not saying a great deal in the scheme of the film which gets lost in its stories among stories among stories. Once it really gets going in the stories we are only granted a brief moment with him where he is just as confused as ever that is before the film's finale which seems answer a few of the questions though only with a few more questions. Cybulski's performance offers a bit stability in two ways. One being that he doesn't change within the story always portraying his role as a man just trying to figure what is going on the same way the audience really is, the other being by offer a bit respite in the humor that comes from such worldly approach within the surreal environment. This is a good performance by Zbigniew Cybulski however I must say once again that it is a limited one and the unquestionable takeaway from this film is of the vision from director Wojciech Jerzy Has. Cybulski's work though is still an important part of that vision though it is unquestionably overshadowed by it.

133 comments:

Luke Higham said...

4. Heston
5. Cybulski

Thoughts on the rest of the cast.

Luke Higham said...

And thoughts on those 2 Frozen songs.

Louis Morgan said...

Luke if you're making a new prediction, please re-post the whole thing. Makes it easier for me when searching for the correct predictions.

Luke Higham said...

1. Welles
2. Kroner
3. Castel
4. Heston
5. Cybulski

Robert MacFarlane said...

1. Welles
2. Kroner
3. Castel
4. Heston
5. Cybulski

RatedRStar said...

Interesting that if you had shown me a picture of him in this and in Ashes and Diamonds, I would have said they looked completely different and were not the same person lol.

Ohh I am excited about the SAGS tomorrow =D like a little kid at christmas, the day of the Oscar nominations is my christmas day =D.

Giuseppe Fadda said...

1. Welles
2. Kroner
3. Castel
4. Heston
5. Cybulski

Though I really have to say I was tempted to give Kroner the top spot. I think he might pull off an upset.

RatedRStar said...

Has anyone here seen Kroner?

Anonymous said...

1. Welles
2. Kroner
3. Castel
4. Heston
5. Cybulski

Charles H said...

Haven't seen Kroner yet.

1. Welles
2. Kroner
3. Castel
4. Heston
5. Cybulski

Anonymous said...

Louis: Your thoughts on the cinematography of The Good Earth and Wuthering Heights.

RatedRStar said...

Louis: Time for my winning request =D

After the disappointment of my last winning request that was reviewed, it was time to rebound, it was time to pull my get out of jail free card, an actor that would not be getting a 2 star rating, an actor to finally appear....

It is time =D

Bryan L. said...

Seth Rogen will play Walter Cronkite in a biopic about CBS' coverage of JFKs' assassination. So...yeah

Luke Higham said...

Your rating for Orson Welles in Moby Dick.

RatedRStar said...

1. Welles
2. Kroner
3. Castel
4. Heston
5. Cybulski

JackiBoyz said...

1. Kroner
2. Welles
3. Castel
4. Heston
5. Cybulski

Michael McCarthy said...

Bryan: With David Gordon Green directing? I can imagine that being good actually. Looks a whole hell of a lot better than Adam McKay's Cheney biopic anyway.

Luke Higham said...

Del Toro's planning to remake Nightmare Alley.

Louis Morgan said...

Luke:

Cembrznska & Jedryka - 3(Both are about as alluring as possible though they effectively do this in a way that is unnerving at the same time.)

Opalinski - 3.5(He's quite effective in both of his performances initially seeming to be this warm, yet incisive yet modest depiction of a wise monk, then though he is wholly a different sort in his other appearance effectively seeming a wholly different in his larger than life portrayal of a far less quiet sort.)

Linder - 3(Strangely intriguing portrayal of almost a goofy version of an Errol Flynn type though with a different madness that he effectively brings to life with his rather strange work.)

I'd really need to re-watch the film to get a better read on the performances mostly featured in part 2.

Do you Want to build a snowman - (A most cheerful and enjoyable song to handle the pretty horrible deaths of both parents. It is a wonderfully realized song. The lyrics are well and good, but what is especially great is the music that features such a dramatic and dynamic vibrancy given the name of the song. It lends as much a playfulness a certain grandeur towards the toll of time, that slowly makes the song itself going from comical to dramatic in quite the effective fashion.)

For the First Time in Forever - (The superior of the two "more" songs for the protagonists in this film, despite being the far less popular of the two, and we even technically get a bit of that song for a brief somber respite, with just a bit of interlacing even. The majority of the song though is classical disney with its proper joyous melody, and vocals. All amplified by its particularly sweeping score, following that typical structure and style and doing it so well.)

Anonymous:

The Good Earth - (There are some notable dynamic shots in there however those are not the norm. Most of the time it is a better than average, far better for the time really, shot film. I don't think it grasps wholly the potential of a depiction of a possible scale to the film, however it does work within its certain limits quite effectively. Even in its less interesting shot choices, the lighting and composition is always rather strong capturing a certain atmosphere through it.)

Wuthering Heights - (Much of the work is good pristine work, natural movements, if not overly dynamic most of the time. It's strongest scenes in this regard are the prologue and epilogue where it does create a far strongest contrast in the lighting and composition of shots that effectively evokes a certain haunting quality to every frame. Other than those scenes there are few other moments, like the mountainside romantic moment between the star crossed lover, where there is a bit more risk in the lighting, and it pays off nicely.)

Wuthering Heights

Luke:

3

Great choice of a film to remake, though he wouldn't be my choice to remake it, can't help but feel he'll add some unneeded supernatural element.

Bryan L. said...

Michael: I feel the opposite way as you, as I'm actually looking forward to the Cheney biopic haha. Here's to hoping both projects turn out well.

Everyone: Here's a fun one: who do you think would be a great choice to play Riggan Thomson in a future version of Birdman in 2024? I'm guessing it'd be someone who was a star in the 2000s but has kept a lower profile in the 2010s. I'm thinking Viggo Mortensen or maybe Russell Crowe.

Louis Morgan said...

Bryan:

Well technically it should be Tobey Maguire.

Calvin Law said...

Tobey Maguire, speaking of which DiCaprio should play in Norton's role.

Molly's Game was another Sorkin script that is equal parts exhilarating and unwieldy. The scenes where it explores the seedy underworld of the poker games are terrific, but the attempts at tying Molly Bloom's personal life into her 'addiction' are largely ineffectual, while the Sorkin moralizing is a mixed bag veering to the positive due mainly to one performance. As a director he proves to be okay, though I'd love to see what someone else could bring to the table. It's a good film, with some great moments, but it has some serious issues too.

Chastain - need to give some thought but hovering around a 4, could go higher or lower
Elba - 4/4.5
Costner - 2
James - 3/3.5
O'Dowd - 2.5
Camp - 3
Greene - 2.5
Cera - 3
Strong - 1.5
Keery - 3

Anonymous said...

Louis what would you say are the ten worst Golden Globe nominations that were not Oscar nominated? And the top ten worst Golden Globe wins that were not Oscar nominated?

Mitchell Murray said...

Performance wise Simon Helberg is at least a definite for that list

Louis Morgan said...

Anonymous:

1. Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad - Best Cinematography(there is no such thing, unless they were just that wowed by the bookshelf scenes)
2. "If I would ever leave you" - Best Original Song - Camelot (it's obviously not original)
3. Johnny Depp - Alice in Wonderland
4. Simon Helberg - Florence Foster Jenkins
5. Nocturnal Animals - Best Screenplay
6. Alice in Wonderland
7. Tom Ford - Nocturnal Animals - Best Director
8. The Towering Inferno - Best Screenplay
9. Johnny Depp - Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
10. Louis Jordan - Gigi

Mitchell Murray said...

I finally got to see Thor Ragnarok tonight, and I have to admit its the most fun I've had with Marvel in quite a bit.

Bryan L. said...

Ah I had a feeling Nocturnal Animals would show up on that list.

Thoughts on this cast for a 2018 Tropic Thunder?

Tugg Speedman- Dwayne Johnson
Jeff Portnoy- Jonah Hill
Kirk Lazarus- Chris Pine
Damien Cockburn- Russell Brand
Alpa Chino- Jason Mitchell
Cody- TJ Miller
Kevin- Will Poulter (Think We're The Millers)
Four Leaf- Kurt Russell
Rick Peck- Ryan Reynolds
Grossman- Matt Damon

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

1. Welles
2. Kroner
3. Castel
4. Heston
5. Cybulski

moviefilm said...

1) Kroner (I have to go with him, as he is fantastic, he is a Slovak actor and he was my winning request)
2) Welles
3) Castel
4) Heston
5) Cybulski

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Louis: Your cast and director for Hollywood remakes of I Saw the Devil and A Bittersweet Life for both the 2000s and 2010s.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Your thoughts on the songs from Team America: World Police.

Louis Morgan said...

Tahmeed:

A Bittersweet Life 2000's directed by Joe Carnahan:

Kim: Benicio Del Toro
Mr. Kang: David Morse
Hee-soo: Jena Malone
Baek: Barry Pepper
Mun Suk: Jeremy Piven

A Bittersweet Life 2010's directed by Nicolas Winding Refn:

Kim: Ben Foster
Mr. Kang: Mark Strong
Hee-soo: Elle Fanning
Baek: Sam Riley
Mun Suk: Giovanni Ribisi

I Saw The Devil 2000's Directed David Cronenberg:

Soo-hyun: Viggo Mortensen
Kyung-chul: Mickey Rourke
Gook-hwan: Chris Cooper
Cheif Oh: Ed Harris
Tae-joo: Michael Wincott

I Saw The Devil 2000's Directed Cary Fukunaga:

Soo-hyun: Tom Hardy
Kyung-chul: Woody Harrelson
Gook-hwan: Elias Koteas
Cheif Oh: John C. McGinley
Tae-joo: Liev Schreiber

Luke:

"America, F*** Yeah" - (I mean the name pretty much sums it up doesn't it. A song that sort of effectively musically represents the Jerry Bruckheimer way)

"Derka Derk" - (This is just the Cantina theme.)

"Everyone Has Aids" - (In terms of the general execution of the song itself is pretty great in its obvious RENT over the top show tune style, which becomes hilarious through its even less subtle approach to the subject matter. I have particular affection during the monologue bit with the stray "He died from AIDS" in the background.)

Louis Morgan said...

Freedom isn't Free - (A proper companion piece to "200 Years" from Nashville in capturing a rather overcooked ballad style. This one going quite effectively to basically throw in every element possible of a country song with the instrumentation which is just about everything you'd associate with country music, topped off by Trey Parker's proper realization of the country ballad voice.)

"I'm So Ronery" - (Mostly a variation on Bobby Vinton's "I'm Mr. Lonely" though revised a touch with a bit of almost "Moonriver" induced style into the proceedings. Its result is a pretty funny song though that also does work as a nice ballad of pseudo-self loathing.)

"Only a Woman" - (Pure unfiltered 80's ballad with Parker's even more ridiculous voice and lyrics it all takes it to all the greater hilarity, while still being a properly overcooked 80's ballad in every way.)

"North Korean Melody" - (One where they perhaps take the parody too far to make a excessively over the top K-pop song, making it perhaps a little too ear grating even though its basically its intent.)

"Montage" - (To any long term South park fan this seemed a little lazy on Parker and Stone's part considering it is a complete unchanged version of the Aspin episode.)

"The End of An Act" - (Now here is THE song from the film. It's actually pretty wonderful ballad on its own with its simple melody on the piano, slowly built up by the growing instrumentation that keeps going to creating a truly epic feel for the song. This is all of course actually topped by the hilarious lyrics that are simply a very specific not so favorably review of Michael Bay's Pearl Harbor.)

Anonymous said...

Louis: Your cast and director for a 2010s From Here to Eternity.

Also, updated Actor Oscar nomination predictions?

Louis Morgan said...

Lets wait a few minutes on that one.

Louis Morgan said...

Anonymous:

From Here to Eternity 2010's directed by David Michod:

Sergeant Warden: Joel Edgerton
Private Prewitt: Jake Gyllenhaal
Karen Holmes: Jessica Chastain
Alma Burke: Lizzy Caplan
Maggio: Giovanni Ribisi
Captain Holmes: John Slattery
Fatso: Rory McCann

Robert MacFarlane said...

Hot damn, Daniel Kaluuya!

Anonymous said...

Thoughts on SAG awards? everyone

Louis Morgan said...

On the Sag Noms:

Ensemble:

Major miss for The Florida Project, Dunkirk, The Post, The Shape of Water and Call Me By Your Name. Major gains for Lady Bird, and Three Billboards when it comes to winning Best Picture. Major gains for Mudbound, Get Out, and The Big Sick for nomination potential. SAG can skew slightly more populous though so the latter two might not do as well with Academy, I can see Mudbound missing out a la Beasts of No Nation.

Lead Actor:

Oldman is right where he needs to be. Major boost for Franco, Chalamet, and Kaluuya. I'll have to assume Washington will stop here, since he won't get in at BAFTA. Day-Lewis I think will get his support at BAFTA, Hanks needs to get there as well since Kaluuya probably will be. I wonder if enough voters saw Phantom Thread and The Post however. Gyllenhaal is not getting nominated though.

Lead Actress:

No Stone but Carell is pretty interesting. No Streep, although that does further support my guess that they just didn't see the Post in time. Ronan, McDormand, Robbie and especially Hawkins have gotten the boost they needed to move closer to being locks, however I'm not sure there are any in this race. I'm looking forward to see who wins this one, since I have no idea.

At least I can say I called Dench.

Supporting Actor:

I knew I should have stuck by Carell. That was a major get for him. Dafoe and Rockwell continue to get where they need to be. Jenkins is nearing a lock now. Harrelson's nomination is most intriguing, could the no double supporting actor noms finally get broken? The possibility is finally there. Major miss for Armie Hammer, especially since they nominated him for J. Edgar.

Supporting Actress:

Bounce back for Hunter. Metcalf and Janney I'd say are locks. Blige also seems to be for whatever reason, although netflix bias could still sink here potentially. Chau has the nominations, however I ponder if the lack of support for her film will make her lose out to say a Lesley Manville in the end.

Louis Morgan said...

Also I'd say Melissa Leo's chances have washed up, indeed she is Redgrave in Coriolanus, however I'd say Mark Rylance still has a chance if he shows up at BAFTA which seems likely that he will.

Louis Morgan said...

Oh and on the TV Side, MacLachlan skunked again.

Anonymous said...

Louis: Your cast and director for a 2010's Beau Geste.

Anonymous said...

Louis, what are updated predictions in the other acting categories?

Calvin Law said...

Hell yeah Daniel! And I'm glad it's Jenkins getting love over Shannon. Poor Jake, though.

Calvin Law said...

Louis: I doubt both Harrelson and Rockwell will get in, but I'm glad the farmer's getting the acclaim he deserves, his performance is really being underrated.

Luke Higham said...

FFS, They nominated Dinklage again. :(

Mitchell Murray said...

Just thought I'd give my two cents on the Sag:

For best actress I'm pumped for every nominee say for Dench. That's in no way a bad choice but I expect Streep or Stone to replace her.

For best actor Washington's a spotty choice but good on Kaluuya. No complaints on the other three.

For supporting actor I love seeing Harrelson being acknowledged along with Rockwell, Jenkins is always welcome and Carrell is at the very least intriguing.

For supporting actress this would seem to solidify Janney and Metcalf, but its also nice to see Hunter. This is another nod for Chau which must mean she has support even with Downsizing's lukewarm reception currently.

Álex Marqués said...

Kaluuya seems to be this year's Viggo, I hope he can get in.

Louis Morgan said...

Anonymous:

Beau Geste 2010's directed by Peter Jackson:

"Beau" Geste: Matthias Schoenaerts
John Geste: Jamie Bell
Digby Geste: Domhnall Gleeson
Sergeant Markoff: Richard Armitage
Rasinoff: Cillian Murphy

Anonymous:

Lead Actor:

Oldman
Day-Lewis
Chalamet
Franco
Hanks

Kaluuya right on the outside, only for the moment. I'd actually say Oldman is the only lock oddly enough. As I could see a surprise miss on nominations day with Kaluuya and Hanks getting in, and maybe Franco and Chalamet missing out.

Actress:

Streep
McDormand
Hawkins
Robbie
Ronan

I wouldn't count out Dench, she got in for Mrs. Henderson Presents after all. Stone seems like she won't get in, however I still say there's an outside chance like when Jennifer Lawrence got in for Joy at the last minute.

Supporting Actor:

Dafoe
Rockwell
Jenkins
Hammer
Rylance

The bottom two need BAFTA badly, but I could see them getting it. Carell's film is fading, but he might be able to go the distance, and Harrelson needs to overcome that one major hurdle. Also don't count out Michael Shannon given what he did last year.

Supporting Actress:

Metcalf
Janney
Blige
Spencer
Manville

Manville also needs to show up at BAFTA. Metcalf and Janney are the only ones who seem absolutely safe. Again Netflix has yet to register out of documentaries so I could see Blige miss out. Big Sick needs to keep its momentum for Hunter to stay in. I'm banking on Shape of Water doing well with BAFTA then the academy to carry Spencer to her nomination.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Any recent viewings.

RatedRStar said...

I like this year Oscars for something different than last years, last years was predictable which was a good thing, this seems completely unpredictable which is a good thing also =D, love it when there isn't a clear lineup or set of locks.

RatedRStar said...

Even supporting actress looks unpredictable now and that is usually the boring category where it is the same people again and again.

Luke Higham said...

If Stanton doesn't get in, then please let it be Kaluuya. We had it great last year and I hope Hanks doesn't spoil it though I hate saying it since he's been ignored for a long time and should've been nominated in 2014, 16 and wouldn't mind him being nominated for Sully. These unfavourable comparisons to Robards who was in a supporting role doesn't bode well.

RatedRStar said...

Bafta could be key rather than meaningless like in most years since they could go very unpredictable.

Mitchell Murray said...

(Luke) Hanks would be an underwhelming choice but I'd be more disappointed if Washington made the cut, which is doubtful but still on the table. I say that because of Denzel reaching a career apex in Fences and getting mixed reviews for Roman J Israel, so it would be downgrade any way you look at it. Hanks at least has been steady and I would understand his nomination more given the snub factor for Captain Phillips.

Luke Higham said...

I'm not worried about Washington.

RatedRStar said...

Louis: Oh and here is my winning request

Has it really taken 6 years to request this man???

Claude Rains - White Banners

Luke Higham said...

And Bridge Of Spies.

Anonymous said...

Louis who do think will win SAG, and why?

Anonymous said...

Luke: I must say, if Washington is nominated I would like to see a picture of your expression lol, it is Denzel Washington remember, Male Streep we could call him in terms of stature and popularity.

RatedRStar said...

Louis: The last couple of years you have predicted the SAG lineup for the final Best Actor lineup, I dont think that will be happening this time lol it might be akin to Best Supporting Actor where you may have to go from a gut instinct in the end.

Calvin Law said...

I'm hoping Hanks is great regardless if he's nominated or not.

RatedRStar said...

I am seeing Star Wars this friday, I might watch Roman J. Israel just before that since I am more worried about Washington giving a poor performance than Hanks.

Louis Morgan said...

Luke:

Good Time
Shot Caller

Anonymous:

Ensemble: Ladybird. The only thing against it is the "importance" factor, and I should note I personally find that a ridiculous factor. I will say Ladybird might be helped slightly by the fact that it kind of takes on that notion in the film itself. Of course given Hidden Figures's random win last year I think anything other than the Big Sick could upset.

Actor: Oldman. Call Me By Your Name under performing outside of Chalamet only helps Oldman all the more. Franco, Kaluuya and Washington I would say are in the happy to be nominated category.

Also can we all take a step a back for a moment and appreciate that the always underrated and underappreciated Gary Oldman, who only just received his second SAG nomination ever and hist first Golden Globe nomination ever, is in all likelihood going to win an Oscar.

Actress: Ronan, but I could see anyone other than Dench taking this.

Supporting Actor: Rockwell. Trying to call an upset though this is based on the logic in the rest of my predictions where Three Billboards comes up empty handed. This would be the place to reward it though this is complicated by Harrelson, however that was not a problem for Melissa Leo in the Fighter or Octavia Spencer in The Help. Dafoe could easily just get checked off given his critical sweep, however it would not be the first time where such a sweep was halted by SAG.

Supporting Actress: Metcalf's sweep should continue, which I'm happy I can wholeheartedly support, especially given that her perceived main competition in Janney does not have an ensemble nomination.

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: If he delivers, I'll happily take it back, but I'm still gonna have my concerns for now.

Daniel: I'm seeing Star Wars tomorrow at 7 haha. :)

Luke Higham said...

Thoughts on the films and the casts.

RatedRStar said...

Louis: Yes it is weird we arent talking that much about Oldman winning an Oscar, maybe cause, I dont know it almost seems like it was always going to happen at some point like fate =D.

I imagine you back in 80s must have been looking forward to Oldman getting nominated at some stage than consistently getting snubbed until 2011 lol =D.

RatedRStar said...

Luke: DAMN YOU =)

Luke Higham said...

I'm intrigued on what you thought of Coster-Waldau.

Calvin Law said...

Hopefully you're saving Pattison. He was really good, and I do think that it'd be a potentially very interesting review.

Calvin Law said...

I can't wait to hear Oldman's Oscar speech. Or actually, his Globes speech if he wins it.

RatedRStar said...

I dont want him to make a Golden Globes speech I just him to get shitfaced and start mocking the Globes for snubbing him constantly lol.

Calvin Law said...

Luke: I'm also seeing it at 7 in the morning lol

Luke Higham said...

I hope he wins the Globe. If he does turn up, it would be interesting to see whether he'll simply snub the HFPA in his speech or rip them to shreds.

Anonymous said...

Louis: How would you rank all of these pairings?
Bogart/Bacall
Powell/Loy
Tracy/Hepburn
Ladd/Lake
Astaire/Rogers

Mitchell Murray said...

Just to recap so far, Louis, how many 5's have you given to the potential best actress nominees so far this year?

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: Shit, I'm going in the evening. :)


Mitchell: 5 so far.
McDormand
Stone
Hawkins (Maudie)
Ronan
Keen

Luke Higham said...

Sorry, 3. McDormand, Stone and Ronan.

Mitchell Murray said...

so in general I would think best actress looks about on par with last year. I don't think Louis has shown as much enthusiasm for a recent performance as he did for Stone in "La La Land", but its still nice that the race looks solid at the moment.

Louis Morgan said...

Luke:

Good Time I just about loved, I only wish its ending had been a bit more memorable, technically speaking that ending could have happened at any point in the story. That is partially because of how much I enjoyed the buildup to that point. It reminded of After Hours in a very good way in terms of the kinetic energy to the story, and sort of the strange world of the night in the city. It's a whole lot more fun quite honestly then I expected in putting you in Pattinson's character position of sort doing some sort of Jazz in his attempt to solve all his problems.

Safdie - 4(Felt he managed to balance a tricky role pretty effectively in that he avoids being cutesy or cloying while managing to create a sense of the naivety of the character caused by his mental condition. Safdie's work carries the right sort of state of confusion that results in some moments of sharp emotions that felt very natural to the person who should be nowhere near Pattinson's Connie's life.)

Abdi - 3(He's good in just a pretty simple role. He delivers just as first as basically than possible, then delivers his drug induced rants effectively.)

Duress - 3.5(He's quite good at being just a wholly intolerable man in his depiction of someone in the same life as Pattinson, but with just a few less wits about him. He handles the moronic manner of the character pretty well though bringing the right broey wannabe thug attitude fitting to what is just a complete mess of a man.)

Leigh - 3.5(She doesn't have much screentime however I still found her quite good in still wholly establishing her own character in such limited time. In that she makes sense of her relationship with Connie in portraying that petulance as a rather mentally underdeveloped woman herself, along with a palatable desperation in her neediness as she looks constantly for some affection from him.)

Shot Caller quite annoyed me outside of its lead performance. It's jumbled storytelling just seemed wholly unneeded and frankly hindered the potency of the story. It takes you directly out of the man's perspective, and instead makes it far more distance by seeing what he will become before we even see what he was before. I think that with a different edit even the film could be much stronger than it is in its current form.

Louis Morgan said...

Donovan - 2(Ahhhh after high points of Fargo, and Sicario back to the oddly overacting actor I was use to. He has not real presence here and is severely underwhelming in what should have been a part with some impact.)

Bernthal - 3(He's more than decent in quite honestly doing the typical cinematic Bernthal thing which is a tough guy who becomes pathetic underneath. This is a good example of that.)

Hardwick - 2.5(He's more than fine but it seemed like he was missing some scenes of his performance as there was an implied important that we never see. This is not due to Hardwick's performance just the structure of the film.)

Cohen - 2.5(Again another where the film's editing actually seems to handicap him a bit. He's fine in his scene yet his work is quickly forgotten any scene he is off screen.)

Bell - 2.5(She's fine in a very simple victim wife type of role. She at least delivers a natural performance but she is given too little of focus to really make a real impact.)

Well due to saving Pattinson and Coster-Waldau here are a few departed saves.

Serkis(War for the Planet of the Apes) - 4.5(Sorry Michael. Anyway Serkis once again is by the far the best part of these apes film along with the effects that help to realize his performance onscreen. War is one of a few films this year that has only degraded the more I think about it with its ridiculous choice to go so biblical at the halfway point. Anyways though Serkis is captivating still in the role in creating such a strong sense of the character's determination and passion within his eyes. This is further amplified here by the revenge subplot and Serkis effectively loses sort of the sage like warmth early on. The scenes of revenge are particularly striking because of this and I wish the film had stuck to this theme a little closer. As the rest is a bit predicable yet well done by Serkis still in portraying Caesar regaining that warmth of personality to be the great leader once again.)

Schreiber(Chuck) - 4.5(Well as the man who would not be Rocky, though kind of would be Schreiber's a whole lot fun. He delivers in bringing this very particular sort of charm. He's not the broad moving star charm but rather actually brings sort of that Rocky style charm in there is something so endearing about his brazen acceptance of his rather considerable faults. Schreiber carries the film I'd say beyond its fairly simple take on Wepner overall by doing so well to inhabit the man with all his problems. I actually like how Schreiber always kind of stays on a certain level never falling into melodrama. Even in his lowest point Schreiber keeps this certain affability that just seems so fitting to a good who is so willing to take another punch to the face. Although the film is about a guy failing more often than succeeding, Schreiber's approach keeps it becoming too dour by portraying so convincingly this guy who is ready for whatever lot is coming his way.)

Anonymous:

Powell/Loy
Astaire/Rogers (dancing)
Bogart/Bacall
Tracy/Hepburn
Astaire/Rogers (acting)
Ladd/Lake

Luke Higham said...

Louis: What about Dustin Hoffman in The Meyerowitz Stories.

And I don't think we ever got your thoughts on Dafne Keen in Logan.

Giuseppe Fadda said...

Rating and thoughts on Taliah Webster in Good Time?

Calvin Law said...

Louis: you still saving Dano for Okja? (hopeful)

Bryan L. said...

I like Gary Oldman as much as anyone but oddly enough, I'm not looking forward to his review as much as I am with the others (Rockwell, Franco, Dafoe, Hammer, Chalamet, Day-Lewis of course) if you consider the fact that he'll win.

Luke Higham said...

I'm excited for any Oldman review, even more so that he plays quite possibly the most iconic British figure of the 20th Century.

Luke Higham said...

And If Oldman and Day-Lewis do get 5s, they'll be level with James Mason on 8.

Louis Morgan said...

Giuseppe:

Webster - 3.5(Her largely reactionary performance actually does add quite a bit to her scenes by portraying almost kind of a straight man to the other two criminal lunatics around this, though naturally through the lens of both a overly mature yet still naive teenager. Her pretty direct reactions are quite good particularly in contrast to Pattinson and Duress's performances.)

Luke:

Might as well save Keen's thoughts to the inevitable reviews in alternate supporting/lead.

Hoffman - 2.5(Where Stiller and Sandler both make people at out of characters with a lot idiosyncrasies, Hoffman is more or less defined by them. He's not as bad as the usually always good Emma Thompson in that regard, but he's not much better. He refines his performance around the character's mannerisms of basically talking to himself even when talking to other people. It's almost one note in the way he does this. This is unfortunate as the ideas of the character's finicky way of giving affection, yet neediness did allow for a more complex character. I'd go lower if it were not for his last scene with Sandler where Hoffman goes a little deeper with this by conveying a bit more with these mannerisms than just having them be mannerisms. Most of the time though he remains closer to a caricature than a person which is a shame as I do think there was potential within the role for a more substantial performance from Hoffman as evidenced by that one scene.)

Calvin:

Yes

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Please do Alternate Supporting first this year. I personally would prefer to have Stewart's review before Jackman's.

Bryan L. said...

Luke: Oh I'm still looking forward to Oldman's review haha I'm just been more hyped up for Three Billboards and The Disaster Artist

Luke Higham said...

Bryan L: I'm really looking forward to all of the 2017 reviews. It's Christmas for us Cinephiles. :)

Omar Franini said...

Luke: I'm really interest in Oldman review, because i think he was terrific in the role but i hated the movie.

Last week i saw You Were Never Really Here, and i was really really disappointed, there's barely a plot and Phoenix's character is underdeveloped, he's good but he can't save this horrible and pretentious movie. And i should notice that i somehow liked We Need to Talk about Kevin.

Calvin Law said...

Omar: That's unfortunate to hear. I was hoping it'd be more than just a showcase for Phoenix.

Luke: I think the lineups, if they go up to 10 each, will be

Lead (assuming that Franco, Chalamet, DDL, Hanks and Oldman are the nominees, though hopefully Kaluuya or Stanton Mortensen their way in)

Stanton
Renner
Jackman (Logan)
Pattinson
Gosling
Kaluuya
Bale (Hostiles)
Cruise
Coster-Waldau
Hawke/McAvoy

Harrelson
Poulter
Stewart
Stuhlbarg (if they choose Hammer over him)
Dano
Mitchell
Rylance
Ford
Letts
Keaton/Reilly/Boyega

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: Probably gonna have to put Hamill in there. And I'm not too sure Stuhlbarg. If he doesn't make the cut, then Boyega and Keaton.

Luke Higham said...

*About Stuhlbarg

And I'm doubtful about Cruise as well.

Calvin Law said...

Harrelson
Poulter
Stewart
Dano
Mitchell
Ford
Letts
Grazer
Hamill
Lynch

Alts: Keaton, Boyega (really hope he gets a review though), Reilly, Stuhlbarg

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: There's a good possibility he might review Boyega and Poulter together.

Luke Higham said...

And once again, I hope Rylance gets nominated for Dunkirk. I'd like a review from my favourite film of the year.

Calvin Law said...

Luke: I could definitely support that. And yeah, I feel like Rylance will be nommed.

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: Cruise is definitely not getting in. We forgot about Thomas Jane in 1922. I wouldn't rule out Driver or Greenwood either.

Anonymous said...

Louis: Your thoughts on Wellman's direction and the cinematography in Beau Geste.

Calvin Law said...

Louis: your thoughts on the score of Good Time.

Bryan L. said...

I'm actually hoping for a combo Boyega/Poulter review; similar to Louis' review of Damon and Leo in The Departed.

Calvin Law said...

Luke: almost forgot, Hamm and Foxx as well.

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: It's gonna be a tough job for Louis to choose his 10 for both lineups.

Also for Lead, Vince Vaughn in Brawl in Cell Block 99.

Michael McCarthy said...

Louis: I actually don't mind that you're not saving Serkis. WOTPOTA definitely hasn't stayed with me as well as Dawn did, and I actually still think Dawn was where Serkis gave his best work.

Michael McCarthy said...

Also, has everyone given up on Daniel Craig as a potential review?

Luke Higham said...

Yes.

Calvin Law said...

I think Craig could still make it in, just completely forgot.

Robert MacFarlane said...

I hope Craig gets saved.

Luke Higham said...

Michael: Your ratings for this lineup apart from Cybulski.

Louis Morgan said...

Anonymous:

Direction - (For the time Beau Geste I think is very notable for being an early example of the proper adventure film tone, which became more prominent as the decades of film went on. This is a great early example of it as Wellman's work as much as he does create a real dramatic tension in the film, particularly in the assault scene, there is also a very real sense of fun. Wellman's work carefully avoids the stuffiness of the adventure films, while also not becoming tonally broken as the similair Gunga Din and Lives of Bengal Lancers become at time. Wellman finds the right lightness but doesn't over do it. He allows comic moments yet invests them in character and within the story rather than making moments that just seem to be there to be funny. Throughout the film though there are just great individual moments by Wellman, I especially love how mysterious and foreboding he makes the opening scene, and how intense he makes the final confrontation between both the raiders and Markoff.)

Cinematography - (Very striking cinematography for the time, especially when compared to comparative films from the time. Now most directly it is strong pristine work from the time. It doesn't play around too much with the contrasts rather just creating the right sort of gray palette that's right for the story. To both Wellman's and the two cinematographers credit it bothers to attempt a larger scale matching the nature of the story, and the atmosphere of the desert. The cinematography matches that ambition particularly in the battle scenes which grant a proper clarity and scope to the epic confrontation.)

Calvin:

Well in regards to Good Time's score might as well continue with the After Hours comparison which I would have to imagine was an influence on the score as well which also goes for the same type of uptempo techno beat. As with that score it also contributes to the energetic pace of the film, and feels almost a character in itself in the best of ways.

Well let me clean things up a bit more.

Foxx & Hamm(Baby Driver) - 4(Well watching Baby Driver again I have to say that there is a major gap in the film between the writing and Wright's direction. I'd say you could argue this as one of his very best directed films but it easily his worst written film. I actually think he probably should go back to more overt comedy, which still had drama, since that's what he's good at. Anyway this is perhaps the most I've liked Foxx still in that I actually found he managed a bit of menace this time around, though not in a type he hasn't exactly played before. He though manages to find a certain danger in just how overt he in portraying the way the character portrays himself. It's a good performance. Hamm on the other hand is also good in portraying initially a warmth to the role and makes it a natural aspect of the character. He does well to depict his character as more of doing it all for a definite thrill and his joyful attitude in general reflects this well. I know some have a problem with turn he takes, which isn't gradual, but it really shouldn't be. I think Hamm delivers in becoming overtly menacing and effectively conveys his own emotional despair as basically fueling his anger to become the primary villain.)

Luke Higham said...

Had a feeling they wouldn't make it.

Michael McCarthy said...

I'm with Robert, I really want Craig to make it in there, he's actually my #4 for the year still. This is my ideal lineup at the moment:

Boyega, Poulter and Smith
Harrelson
Craig
Stewart
Flynn
Grazer & Skarsgard
Ford
Dano
Mitchell
Rylance

If Harrelson gets nominated, I wouldn't mind throwing Keaton or Reilly in there. Also I haven't seen Lynch or (obviously) Hamill.

Luke: I haven't seen any of this lineup yet.

Robert MacFarlane said...

It's funny, Baby driver fell down in my estimation particularly BECAUSE of Good Time and how drastically they differ in holding their protagonists accountable. Wright asks us "What if our criminal protagonist meant well and had good intentions?" The Sadfie brothers respond with "Yeah, but what if that made him a terrible person?"

Bryan L. said...

I was actually looking forward to Serkis' review since I thought he was the best part of the film haha, but I'm glad with the 4.5.

I'm fine with Foxx and Hamm not getting reviewed though.

Bryan L. said...

The more I think about Logan Lucky, the more it frustrates me, since it feels like a movie that's trying it's hardest to break out from a parachute (the parachute being the editing.)

Robert MacFarlane said...

Okay, I keep hearing everyone on this blog complain about Logan Lucky's editing, and I'm always incredibly confused. How? Why? I thought the editing was some of the best of the year.

Louis Morgan said...

Robert:

Well I can only speak for myself, and I typically dislike Soderberg's mise en scène anyways. His editing here I found he used his style of a somewhat ponderous approach where he allows scenes to purposefully linger beyond their natural end, and with an absolute refusal for more dynamic editing. I personally found this ill-fitting to a comedic heist film. He also indulged in his usual technique of having a character speak over an unrelated scene for no foreseeable reason, but that is a especially personal to me in the way that it rubs me the wrong way. I felt his overall approach took away from really the comedic energy of the proceedings, but that's just me.

Robert MacFarlane said...

I didn't view it as just a full-blown comedy, so the timing never seemed off to me. But I get what you're saying. I have this issue with basically everything Judd Apatow touches. I actually really loved the editing in Lady Bird precisely because it knows when to cut off a joke, so I understand where you're coming from

Louis Morgan said...

Robert:

Fair enough, and I agree about Lady Bird.

Bryan L. said...

Robert: For me, it was pretty much the way he edited the scenes themselves, as he indeed let them drag a second or two too much. It feels like he wanted a lot of the scenes to play out as dramatic, which I understand, but he should've been a bit more selective in doing so. I didn't mind the voiceover however.

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Luke: Argh, I'm going to see Star Wars tomorrow hopefully.

Anonymous said...

Louis: Should DDL be worried that he got snubbed at SAG, or did voters not see Phantom?

Also, most anticipated December releases?

Calvin Law said...

Won't say too much about The Last Jedi except I really dug most of it and it reached really high heights, even though there were a few underwhelming scenes and elements. I'll hold off a few ratings though for varying reasons.

Ridley - 4.5
Isaac - 4
Gleeson - 3
Tran - 3
Dern - 2.5
Del Toro - 2

Louis Morgan said...

Anonymous:

The word is not enough voters saw Phantom Thread, if he misses BAFTA that would be concerning.

Phantom Thread is also my most anticipated December release.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Will you be able to see The Shape Of Water and Call Me By Your Name this month.

Louis Morgan said...

Luke:

It's always a crapshoot on which films come near me so I'll have to just wait and see.

Robert MacFarlane said...

Yeah, same with me. I usually have to drive an hour away to see some of this stuff.

Luke Higham said...

Disney have officially bought Fox. My nightmare's come true. :(

Bryan L. said...

Calvin: I'm glad Isaac gets more to do :D

Calvin Law said...

Bryan: he does but the more he does will prove a bit divisive.

Omar Franini said...

Just saw Wonder Wheel, a rather predictable Allen movie. The only positive thing about this movie is the cinematography, which is terrific. Winslet goes full-Allen and it doesn't work, she has a great monologue at the beginning but that's all.

Winslet: 2/2,5
Belushi: 2,5
Temple: 3
Timberlake: 2