Thursday 9 April 2020

Alternate Best Actor 1978: Richard Pryor in Blue Collar

Richard Pryor did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Zeke Brown in Blue Collar.

Blue Collar is a terrific film following three fed-up auto workers who discover corruption in their union.

Richard Pryor was and is known as a legendary figure in the world of stand up comedy. Sadly his cinematic career pales in comparison to this, as he seemed largely misused by Hollywood for much of his career. Notable examples of this being Superman III, or in the same year as this film in The Wiz. This where executives seemed to say "you're funny be funny", in poorly thought out scenarios that expected Pryor to make something out of nothing, honestly frequently less than nothing. Sadly any chance for Pryor to really find a better path for himself was cut short by his drug addition and failing health. Now there were examples of films that found some decent material for Pryor to work with, although even these were typically pretty limited roles, Blue Collar however stands in a completely different league here, as a film that seemed to understand an even greater potential in Pryor than one might've expected. Now interesting enough, from the outset of the film, it kind of pulls you into thinking this might be more an expected, if a bit grittier, comedy of some working class guys. This with perhaps Harvey Keitel, filling in the Gene Wilder role, though with an actor like Keitel in that role, that perhaps tells you a little bit that might not be the case after all. Early on though we do get a bit more of Pryor's expected comedic presence as they complain about their conditions and the Union that seems to only serve themselves. These early moments though being in more jesting frustrations, with some nice chemistry in creating a general camaraderie between Pryor's Zeke, Keitel's Jerry and Yaphet Kotto's Smokey as work buddies. Pryor nicely bring a comic charm to these early moments with the guys just hanging early on, and we are granted a sense of friendship in mutual misery, which is realized in joking at their mutually difficult plight.

We are granted though that this will be a bit more in an early scene, where we see Zeke with his wife and family at home, when an IRS agent comes back for a bit of additional auditing. Now initially we do get a bit of comedy as Zeke claims a bit of additional children and Pryor is hilarious as he names off some additional well known names as some extra kids, while his wife grabs a few extra kids from the neighborhood to "fill in". It's a good comic setup and works in that sense. Although as the IRS man presses Pryor naturally and quite powerfully segues to something far more serious as Zeke speaks his difficult plight of having so little money to begin with and just scraping by. Pryor is quite simply incredible in the moment as the years of frustration are brimming in his eyes and his voice being so moving as there is such a sense of defeat even in the anger of his delivery. Honestly watching this scene ought to shatter anyone's image that all Pryor could be is funny, as there is such a real raw power to the scene that is remarkable. This is as Pryor not only brings such an intensity to the moment, but we are granted a real sense of the man's history of just getting beaten down by one thing after another in the nature of that intensity found in his performance. This made all the more potent as Pryor rips the rug out from under us, because in the scene we begin laughing but are shocked into seeing the real tragedy of Zeke's life. This is but a preview in a way to his performance however, as we see this early instance of the real anger that goes beyond just complaints shared between friends.

There is then the progress of Pryor's work which shows this growing sense of aggravation in the man. Early on we still have moments of a more expected presence of Pryor with that comedic edge, that is well realized by him here. That is he offers a light comic edge, he doesn't overplay the moments, making Zeke just a naturally kind of funny guy, rather than giving an overtly comic performance. It's used so well though because in turn we see the anger as all the more dynamic in his performance. This in that as the story goes on, and the three men find evidence of the union corruption, and the situation only becomes more sever. Pryor is outstanding in the moments of realizing such searing hatred towards the foreman and his union rep, showing a man who has just had it with his experience. It is raw, but also we see the tiring quality within Pryor's work. There is a remarkable degradation in the man as no matter what they try nothing seems to change. There's a great moment where Zeke is brought in to deal with an issue between him and the foreman. Pryor is outstanding in creating this scene as one of endless frustration and hate of the man just festering as his demands are forgotten, while everyone else's seem easily satisfied. Every word Pryor brings an ache of the lies and waste of time. His reactions filled with just defeat towards the union rep, of a man who knows he will get no help from any side, and can only resort to outrage.  The union no way intimidated or changed by their evidence instead seek ways in which to deal with the men in some ways, violennt if necessary.

This begins first with negotiation for Zeke however, who they offer a position to be the new Union rep. Although we do have a fantastic moment in the heartbreak Pryor delivers as he learns of corruption's violence, this as his eyes fill with disbelief at the action, and a sense of defeat though within his whole existence, Zeke ends up taking the position. This is much to Jerry's dismay who question Zeke's choice, in a downright amazing scene for Pryor. Pryor is brilliant in this scene as he brings such a vivid sense of the broken fight as speaks of his choice. Pryor so humanizes this decision though that you wholly understand Zeke in the moment even as he basically joins in the corruption. There is such devastation in his eyes, and honesty in his voice though as Pryor speaks to his family's struggle because of his race, and it is with such genuine sense of a life of frustrations that we see this decision. Pryor is downright heartbreaking in the scene as in the moment he fully realizes a man who has been struggling for an inch, and as he explains what he is willing to compromise for that inch, it is difficult to quickly damn him as Pryor makes it so real in the all to human explanation. He is devastating to watch to watch in the scene, as the whole life of desperation is wound within his expression as Zeke makes his decision. This leaving Jerry in a precarious situation, who refuses to compromise leaving him no choice but to go to the FBI lest be murdered by the corrupt Union. This leaving a moment of confrontation of Zeke and Jerry in factory. This scene is incredible as Pryor and Keitel, are again so exceptional in the scene by making it so honest. We see a fight in this scene that could only exist between former friends, as the venom in each other and the sense of betrayal each exude seems to go their very core. Their intensity is messy in creating such a sense of each man taking all of everything that happened on each other in the moment, in what is also a heartbreaking scene, as we see all that old camaraderie gone, purged from them due to the corrupt system, but making the fight all the more abrasive and personal. This as both seem to not only be lashing out at each other but within it every thing they've gone through in life. This is a great performance by Richard Pryor. This as he peels away his expected presence, to give such a convincing and shattering depiction of a man being swallowed by the system. It's a shame his career didn't allow for more chances like this, as this shows he was far more capable than just being a funny man.

93 comments:

Luke Higham said...

Pleased we got two fives from this lineup.

Louis: Ratings and thoughts on the cast.

So glad you loved Autumn Sonata and the performances.

Any chance you could review Ian McDiarmid in Return Of The Jedi. I might request him next if you are indeed doing 83 after this.

Calvin Law said...

Finally a Paul Schrader film you loved!

Also I agree with you on directors seeming to think that all Pryor was good for was a few laughs. Even in his comic works you could see how much presence he had as an actor.

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: Is Alan Bates Lead or Supporting in The Return Of The Soldier.

Calvin Law said...

Luke: haven’t seen it yet sorry.

Calvin Law said...

Also glad you loved Autumn Sonata. I rewatched it a few weeks ago and it’s lost none of its power.

Bryan L. said...

Ahh...Hidden Gem City. Love the ending shot too.

Louis: Your thoughts on the car paint scene with Yaphet Kotto? Not going to lie, I found it kind of terrifying.

Also, thoughts on Paul Schrader as a filmmaker?

Omar Franini said...

Louis: is Page leading or supporting for Interiors? I consider the movie more as an ensemble piece and she would be my winner in supporting.

BRAZINTERMA said...

Hey guys (except Louis)! Tell me your Top 10 best supporting actress and lead actress from 1978 ...

SUPPORTING ACTRESS:
1º Geraldine Page - Interiors
2º Maureen Stapleton - Interiors
3º Meryl Streep - The Deer Hunter
4º Maggie Smith - California Suite
5º Linda Manz - Days of Heaven
6º Theresa Russell - Straight Time
7º Angela Lansbury - Death On The Nile
8º Veronica Cartwright - Invasion of the Body Snatchers
9º Bibi Andersson - An Enemy of the People
10º Stockard Channing - Grease

LEAD ACTRESS:
1º Ingrid Bergman - Autumn Sonata
2º Jill Clayburgh - An Unmarried Woman
3º Liv Ullmann - Autumn Sonata
4º Geraldine Chaplin - Remember My Nam
5º Isabelle Huppert - Violette
6º Glenda Jackson - Stevie
7º Faye Dunaway - Eyes of Laura Mars
8º Jane Fonda - Coming Home
9º Jamie Lee Curtis - Halloween
10º Marthe Keller - Fedora

Louis Morgan said...

Luke:

Keitel - 4(Although for much of the film he actually is a touch overshadowed by Kotto and Pryor, though I would say largely as his part is more reactionary initially, though he is definitely good. This in particularly fitting within the group so well and also being so effective in creating that sort of workingman's anger. He's great though in the last act of the film in portraying such a real fear and anxiety within his performance. This in delivering a real element of a thriller essentially albeit briefly. He's, as referred to in the review, also fantastic in his final scene with Pryor.)

I mean I could I suppose.

Calvin:

Ironically Schrader apparently dislikes the film, though often filmmakers are the worst critics of their own films.

Bryan:

A terrifying horror scene essentially, and one great credit I have to give to Schrader, is that he naturally segues through so many different types of scenes throughout the film. This in particular creating such a sudden onset sense of claustrophobia.

I mean my thoughts on Schrader as a filmmaker is a whole different story, with so many parts. The filmmaker almost always working on the men on the edge, of one kind or another, I have to say this one was a particularly creative choice in that regard. His whole career has been a variation on that theme, from his work as a screenwriter to his work as a writer/director. I will say given that focus, he managed quite the career out of himself, in that despite all being often about the same thing, they don't feel like copies of one another. I'd say in general I prefer his work when there is a second voice, however even his pure Schrader work is hardly not without merit. This in so many different attempts, as the same man made Blue Collar that made Mishima, that made First Reformed is notable. He's not someone who is always successful to me, but he's definitely a voice worth listening to.

Omar:

If I had to name a lead it would be Keaton and Hurt, but I really do feel it is an ensemble as well.

Calvin Law said...

Mine are:

Best Actress:
1. Ingrid Bergman, Autumn Sonata
2. Liv Ullmann, Autumn Sonata
3. Geraldine Page, Interiors
4. Jamie Lee Curtis, Halloween
5. Julie Christie, Heaven Can Wait
6. Margot Kidder, Superman
7. Jane Fonda, Coming Home
8. Jane Fonda, Comes a Horseman
9. Olivia Newton-John, Grease
10. Ellen Burstyn, Some Time, Next Year

Best Supporting Actress:
1. Maggie Smith, California Suite
2. Angela Lansbury, Death on the Nile
3. Lena Nyman, Autumn Sonata
4. Veronica Cartwright, Invasion of the Body Snatchers
5. Valerie Perrine, Superman
6. Maureen Stapleton, Interiors
7. Meryl Streep, The Deer Hunter
8. Celine Gomez, The Silent Partner
9. Theresa Russell, Straight Time
10. Stockard Channing, Grease

Bryan L. said...

Louis: Also, thoughts on his upcoming crime drama, The Card Counter? That cast is very intriguing by itself, although pure Schrader is more of a gamble, I'll admit.

Calvin Law said...

And granted I haven’t seen it in ages, but I considered Page as lead though I will probably need a rewatch in which case she would definitely be my win.

Michael McCarthy said...

Glad you liked this film as much as I did Louis. What did you think of Keitel’s performance in the scene where Jerry finds out his daughter needs braces? I agree that his performance is the “least” of the main three, but I think he does some outstanding silent acting in that scene.

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Louis: Have you ever, at any point in time, considered a tie for 2008 Lead between Gleeson and Farrell? On every rewatch I've had of In Bruges, it gets harder and harder to separate the two.

Calvin Law said...

Michael: that’s a great scene and I love those kind of scenes in the film too. It’s actually quite a timely film still.

Calvin Law said...

Tahmeed: I have a tough time deciding which of those two is my win on any given day.

Mitchell Murray said...

Yet another film/performance to add to the watch list.

Just out of curiosity, whats everyone's top 5 William Hurt performances? Mine would be as followed (Having not seen "Kiss of a Spider Woman"):

1) Children of a Lesser God
2) A History of Violence
3) Broadcast News
4) Body Heat
5) The Village

Louis Morgan said...

Bryan:

I mean as much as I praised him here, you still never know with Schrader could be another Adam Resurrected. Tye Sheridan is also progressively losing his child actor goodwill in becoming a rather bland adult performer.

Michael:

Beautifully rendered by Keitel, as I love the time given to Keitel in portraying really the heartbreak of the realization then coming to do whatever it takes to help her daughter. You get everything he's going through right just in his silence.

Tahmeed:

I mean the only performance I love more than Colin Farrell in In Bruges is Gleeson in In Bruges. My adoration of Gleeson has always made it so I didn't have conflict in giving Gleeson the win, however Farrell's probably one of my favorite performances I don't give a win to (him and Fiennes actually). And I'll mean my love of Farrell work has only grown, so I don't I can safely say he'll never take the win from Gleeson, but I do love his work, so I don't know.

Mitchell:

1. Kiss of A Spider Woman (Get on that post haste!)
2. A History of Violence
3. Broadcast News
4. The Accidental Tourist
5. Children of a Lesser God

Jack Narrator said...

Brazinterma

Best Actress:
1. Jill Clayburgh - An Unmarried Woman
2. Ingrid Bergman - Autumn Sonata
3. Liv Ullmann - Autumn Sonata
4. Geraldine Page - Interiors
5. Jamie Lee Curtis - Halloween
6. Geraldine Chaplin - Remember My Nam
7. Brooke Shields‎ - Pretty Baby
8. ‎Brooke Adams - Days of Heaven
9. Ellen Burstyn - Same Time, Next Year
10. Jane Fonda - Coming Home

Best Supporting Actress:
1. Veronica Cartwright - Invasion of the Body Snatchers
2. Maggie Smith - California Suite
3. Maureen Stapleton - Interiors
4. Angela Lansbury - Death on the Nile
5. Lena Nyman - Autumn Sonata
6. Meryl Streep - The Deer Hunter
7. Susan Sarandon‎ - Pretty Baby
8. Theresa Russell - Straight Time
9. Linda Manz - Days of Heaven
10. Stockard Channing - Grease

Bryan L. said...

Mitchell: Need to see more from him but...

1. Kiss of the Spider Woman (Yeah, you got to get in on this one)
2. Broadcast News
3. A History of Violence
4. His collective MCU work (Told you)

Anonymous said...

Louis: Your 2000s cast for Game of Thrones

GM said...

Bujold is great in Coma, people.

Calvin Law said...

Louis: your thoughts on Michael Nyman's score for The Piano? And this retro cast for the 2020s:

Directed by Jennifer Kent
Ada McGrath: Aisling Franciosi
George Baines: Sam Rockwell
Alisdair Stewart: Jermaine Clement

Calvin Law said...

And this 2020s Robert Eggers surreal take on 'Hearts of Darkness: A FIlmmaker's Apocalypse'

Frances Ford Coppola: Oscar Isaac/Jonah Hill
Eleanor Coppola: Carrie Coon
Robert Duvall: Ben Foster
Dennis Hopper: Jimmi Simpson
George Lucas: Ben Whishaw
John Milius: Paul Walter Hauser
Martin Sheen: Shia LaBeouf
Marlon Brando: Russell Crowe
Frederic Forrest: Peter Sarsgaard
Albert Hall: Yahya Abdul-Mateen II
Sam Bottoms: Thomas Mann
Laurence Fishburne: an unknown
Vittorio Storaro: Marcello Fonte
Dean Tavoularis: Noah Taylor

Álex Marqués said...

Fuck yes, Pryor is so great in this. One of the most underrated films of the 70s, deserves as much praise as Scorsese's and Coppola's great films from that period.

Luke Higham said...

My 1983 Lead lineup.

David Bowie - Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence
Tom Conti - Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence (I separated them because I assume they're the best of the three duos)
Om Puri - Ardh Satya
Keith Gordon - Christine
Gérard Depardieu/Wojciech Pszoniak - Danton (Pszoniak for prediction)
Jason Robards/Jonathan Pryce - Something Wicked This Way Comes (Pryce for prediction)
Jeroen Krabbé - The Fourth Man
Gene Hackman - Eureka
Alan Bates - The Return Of The Soldier
Steve Martin - The Man With Two Brains

Mitchell Murray said...

Luke: Now, I watched "Christine" a little while back, and Gordon was...weird, in his performance. He never really worked for me in the film; it's hardly the worst turn in a Stephen King adapation, but I don't think its anything worth a review either.

Heck...I'll say the movie's two part cameo from Harry Dean Stanton single handedly steals the show from the leads.

Anonymous said...

Luke, Your 83 Supporting lineup.

Luke Higham said...

Mitchell: You do know that Robert requested Gordon.

Anonymous: 1983 Supporting

David Bowie - The Hunger (He might be a co-lead)
Erland Josephson - Nostalghia
Michael Palin/John Cleese/Eric Idle - Monty Python’s The Meaning Of Life
Ryuichi Sakamoto/Takeshi Kitano - Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence
Max Von Sydow - Strange Brew
Bonus: Ian McDiarmid - Return Of The Jedi

Alt. Rutger Hauer - Eureka
Christopher Lee - The Return Of Captain Invincible

Mitchell Murray said...

Luke: Well...I guess we'll have to agree to disagree about that one.

Calvin Law said...

I’d consider Bowie to be fairly straightforwardly supporting in The Hunger. It always felt like to me that the film was squarely on Deneuve.

Calvin Law said...

I’ll also be giving Mr Lawrence a rewatch soon enough so I can let you know then about where the lead/supporting lines divide.

Robert MacFarlane said...

Pryce and Robards are Supporting in Something Wicked This Way Comes.

Luke Higham said...

Robert: Thanks.

Luke Higham said...

I would like to have up to 7 reviews for 83 Supporting, pending whether Louis really likes the 5 I initially went with as well as McDiarmid.

Luke Higham said...

Robert: If you're still doing ratings, what would you give Robards and Pryce.

Gus B. said...

Louis: could you give your ratings and thoughts on Ingrid Bergman and Liv Ullman in Autumn Sonata?

Luke Higham said...

Gus: He's saving them for the results but they're definitely 5s (Bergman's 3rd and Ullmann's 7th)

Luke Higham said...

Referring to the amount of fives they now have.

Mitchell Murray said...

Louis: I'm sure you haven't seen the movie in ages, but what would be your thoughts on the "A Reason to live" scene from "A Better Life"? Personally, I think its the strongest part of the film, and that's purely because its a showcase for Demian Bichir's performance.

Bryan L. said...

Everyone: Now that the 2010s are in the books, what are some of the most popular films from the decade that you haven’t gotten around to seeing (for whatever reason)? For me...

Tangled
Brave
Wreck-it-Ralph
The Hobbit trilogy (Although I can’t say I’m in a rush to do so)
Frozen
Big Hero 6
Finding Dory
Moana (Guess I have a blind spot)
Eighth Grade
Portrait of a Lady on Fire

Michael Patison said...

Here's the link to the fully updated Google Doc with all tops 10s: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1sM-Tz4PDsvXVR1SQtG2xCpaktNL8CJA4Z_dtP0_zrTo/edit?usp=sharing

I included all 4.5s and above, even when there's more than 10, just so that they're there in case Louis changes his order around later.

Luke Higham said...

Michael: Muni's a 4.5

Michael Patison said...

Indeed he is. I saw that the other day but updated it on my personal spreadsheet but not this one. I'll fix it. That link should let you edit, so if you see any errors, go ahead and fix them if you so desire.

Anonymous said...

Bryan: Several of those for me as well. Also, Son of Saul and A Fantastic Woman.

Anonymous said...

Luke, are there any potential upgrades to fives from previous years.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: From a 4.5 to 5, Robert De Niro in Mean Streets and Damian Lewis in Keane are the only ones that I could think of.

Hopkins is in need of a re-evaluation for The Remains Of The Day but I assume he'll go up to a 4.5.

Anonymous said...

Luke, do you really think De Niro in Mean Streets is “5” good? No offense, but you’ve been going on about that for years.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: Yes and Louis did say he'd likely go up on a re-watch. I'll probably make that my recommendation in January cos even I'm tired of saying it.

Anonymous said...

Luke, fair enough haha. Where would you rank his work there in De Niros’ Top Ten?

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

Anonymous: It would be my #7, ahead of The Godfather Part II and behind The Irishman. And yes, Taxi Driver's in my top 5.

Anonymous said...

Luke, do you think he'll go up for Taxi Driver.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: No chance, He was a 5 on the initial review, he's too far down the 76 Lead ranking and on numerous viewings, it lost some of its effect on him.

Mitchell Murray said...

Bryan: There's definitely a few - "Parasite" , "1917" and "The Lighthouse" being the most recent examples.

The Ballad of Buster Scruggs
Ex Machina
The Guilty
A Monster Calls

Anonymous said...

Louis: Your cast and director for a 50's Clue.

Bryan L. said...

Mitchell: You DEFINITELY gotta catch up on those. In fact, why weren’t you instead of seeing stuff like “Bugsy” and “The Fisher King”? :p

Ex Machina- Very good sci-fi thriller. Vikander is amazing.
A Monster Calls- Good fantasy film that earns its moments. Jones is terrific and strong work vocal work by Neeson.
The Guilty- A great example of what can be done with just one location, but that's all I'll say.

Calvin Law said...

Capernaum, For Sama, and A Long Day’s Journey into Night along with a few other foreign language and animated films are acclaimed ones I need to get to. But I think I’ve seen most of the ‘popular’ ones though bringing up ‘Son of Saul’ reminds me that I need to watch ‘Sunset’.

Calvin Law said...

Oh yeah, and Mid 90’s.

Mitchell Murray said...

Bryan: Honestly, I found both those films on youtube, on nights when I really didn't have anything better to do. Not to mention, my 1991 best actor year was incomplete, and I thought I might as well watch all of the nominees when I could.

And as it turns out, after seeing Beatty, Nolte, de Niro and Williams, my love for Hopkins has only been bolstered. (Though Williams is decent in "The Fisher King").

Bryan L. said...

Calvin: Mid 90s is a solid enough directorial debut from Jonah Hill. Some aspects of the story aren't fully developed, but he does do a good job at capturing the essence of that time and period. Plus, a Reznor/Ross score never hurts.

Matt Mustin said...

Mitchell: Buster Scruggs is on Netflix, you kind of have no excuse there.

Mitchell Murray said...

Matt: Touche...although I must admit, its been a few months since I've even been on Netflix. The last movie I watched on it was..."The Irishman", I believe.

Also...with how so many new releases have been either pushed back or moved to home streaming...well, it kind of got me thinking of all the older films I still haven't seen. Perhaps that's why so many of my recent viewings have been of films from the mid to late 80s, which I starting to admire all the more as a film decade.

Regardless, I have an ever expanding watch list that includes the newer pictures listed above. I'll make sure to visit each of them in due time.

Mitchell Murray said...

Actually, I just remembered netflix was where I watched "Titanic" recently, but that was for a school project believe it or not. I think its more accurate to say I've scarcely been on netflix since the beginning of the year.

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Strangely enough, I haven't watched as many films or TV shows as I thought I would during this time, except rewatches of the Before trilogy, and A Fish Called Wanda. So, I kind of understand what Mitchell's talking about.

Calvin Law said...

So I was just checking to see what James Woods has been up to nowadays and...holy fuck his Twitter feed is a monstrosity. Makes Paul Schrader look relatively tame in comparison.

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Calvin: I checked it out too. Almost makes you glad that he's not that active in film anymore.

Matt Mustin said...

Calvin: He's one guy who there's actually a clear reason why he's not working anymore.

Calvin Law said...

Tahmeed and Matt: He claims to be blacklisted for being a conservative, but I highly doubt that’s the case since there’s plenty of actors with right wing leanings. It really does seem like the main reason no one wants to work with him because he’s an ass.

Anonymous said...

Louis: Would you ever consider making a list of 'essential films' to watch in each genre, a la those lists like 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die?

Anonymous said...

Louis and Luke, in your opinions, what's the best thing to come out of the bonus rounds.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: Well, a few reasons really. First, underrated performers getting their just due. Second, finding out about underappreciated/underseen (Hidden Gem) films. And third, truly getting to see how well these years really fare when all is said and done.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: I can't recall asking this before but what are your top ten most haunting scenes and music compositions in animated films.

Michael Patison said...

James Woods has been blacklisted both because he's a shit human being who's been bolstered by the surging far-right to be more open about it. Also, there were some allegations of sexual assault and harassment. Amber Tamblyn, for instance, recalls an incident where he was turned on when he learned, while he was attempting to pick her up, that she was just 16.

Louis Morgan said...

Anonymous:

Game of Thrones 2000's:

Robert Baratheon: Ray Winstone
Stannis Baratheon: Ben Cross
Renly Baratheon: Hugh Dancy
Tyrion Lannister: Dinklage still
Cersei Lannister: Joanne Whalley
Jaime Lannister: Linus Roache
Tywin Lannister: Patrick McGoohan

Daenerys Targaryen: Diane Kruger
Jorah Mormont: Simon MacCorkindale
Jeor Mormont: Edward Woodward
Sandor Clegane: Graham McTavish
Little Finger: Robert Carlyle
Varys: David Suchet

Catelyn Stark: Miranda Richardson
Ned Stark: Nigel Terry
Robb Stark: Ben Chaplin
Jon Snow: Richard Armitage
Theon Greyjoy: Dominic Cooper
Balon Greyjoy: Jon Finch
Yara Greyjoy: Billie Whitelaw
Euron Greyjoy: David O'Hara

Davos Seaworth: Pete Postlethewaite
Melisandre: Gillian Anderson
Bronn: Ralph Brown
Grand Maester Pycell: Christopher Lee
Maester Aemon: Frank Finlay
Maester Luwin: Freddie Jones
Barristan Selmy: Edward Fox

Oberyn Martell: Antonio Banderas
3-eyed Raven: Nigel Davenport
Roose Bolton: Paul McGann
Ramsay Bolton: Stephen Graham
Olenna Tyrell: Billie Whitelaw
Margaery Tyrell: Catherine McCormack
High Sparrow: Tom Baker

Calvin:

Nyman's score is downright gorgeous that builds from the idea of the classical pieces featured in the film, to build towards the particularly expressive piano score, amplified within that by supportive instrumentation to create a particularly soulful sound of the film. Particularly effectively used as well in terms of creating really the character's voice through the expression we hear in the piano.

Piano: Yes, yes for Franciosi and Rockwell, not so sure about Clement, as though I've enjoyed him a great deal in most things, there's been a degree of comedy even in his more dramatic work in Legion, perhaps he has it in him, but hard to say.

Brilliant cast and love the idea of the potential surreal take, which makes sense anyways as Coppola basically went into his own journey into madness along with his characters.

Mitchell:

I believe it is his final scene between his son and him, where Bichir is indeed fantastic, and he is the one who makes the film by giving such just such a genuine performance in every second of his screentime .

Anonymous:

Clue 1950's directed by Alexander Mackendrick:

Wadsworth: Alec Guinness
Ms. Scarlet: Ida Lupino
Col. Mustard: Keenan Wynn
Mrs. White: Paulette Goddard
Prof. Plum: Eddie Albert
Mrs. Peacock: Thelma Ritter
Mr. Green: Peter Sellers
Yvette: Mamie van Doren

Anonymous:

Sure, why not.

Anonymous said...

Luke, in your opinion, what is the greatest animated film of all-time?

Anonymous said...

Louis: If Up ended after it's first ten minutes, would you consider it the best short film ever?

Louis Morgan said...

Anonymous:

With a few changes, probably, yeah.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: My personal favourite at this time is probably Watership Down.

Louis Morgan said...

Luke:

Compositions:

1. "House Raising" - The Secret of NIMH
2. "Reprise" - Spirited Away
3. "Transformation" - Beauty and the Beast
4. "Discovery of the Great Valley" - The Land Before Time
5. "Married Life" - UP
6. "Burning Bush" - The Prince of Egypt
7. "Tetsuo" - Akira
8. "Flying Theme" - How To Train Your Dragon
9. "King of Pride Rock" - The Lion King
10. "End Titles" - Grave of the Fireflies

Scenes:

1. Ending - Grave of the Fireflies
2. Ending - The Plague Dogs
3. House Raising - The Secret of NIMH
4. Little Foot's Mom Dies - The Land Before Time (Tops all Disney Parental deaths for me)
5. River Spirit - Spirited Away
6. Married Life - UP
7. What Happened to the other Rabbits - Watership Down
8. "Hellfire" - The Hunchback of Notre Dame
9. Last Plague - The Prince of Egypt
10. The fireflies die - Grave of the Fireflies

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Your top 20 songs from animated films.

Anonymous said...

Luke, what would be your thoughts on Watership Down as a film? And what ratings would you give to the cast?

Anonymous said...

Louis: For the 2020s Piano cast that Calvin suggested, maybe Schoenaerts for Alisdair?

Anonymous said...

Louis what would be your cast for 90's, 00's and 10's Blue Collar?

Louis Morgan said...

Luke:

1. "Flying Dreams" - The Secret of NIMH
2. "Hellfire" - The Hunchback of Notre Dame
3. "The Bells of Notre Dame" - The Hunchback of Notre Dame
4. "Beauty and the Beast" - Beauty and the Beast
5. "Be Prepared" - The Lion King
6. "I'll Make a Man Out of You" - Mulan
7. "Mountain Town" - South Park
8. "Baby Mine" - Dumbo
9. "When You Believe" - The Prince of Egypt
10. "The Headless Horseman" - The Adventures of Ichabod and Mr. Toad
11. "Gaston" - Beauty and the Beast
12. "Poor Jack" - The Nightmare Before Christmas
13. "La Resistance" - South Park
14. "This is Halloween" - The Nightmare Before Christmas
15. "Somewhere Out There" - An American Tail
16. "Out There" - The Hunchback of Notre Dame
17. "Do you Wanna Build a Snowman" - Frozen
18. "When You Wish Upon a Star" - Pinocchio
19. "You're Welcome" - Moana
20. "What's This" - The Nightmare Before Christmas

Anonymous:

90's:

Zeke: Eddie Murphy
Smokey: Laurence Fishburne
Jerry: Denis Leary

00's:

Zeke: Dave Chappelle
Smokey: Michael Kenneth Williams
Jerry: Adam Sandler

10's:

Zeke: Daveed Diggs
Smokey: Brian Tyree Henry
Jerry: Ben Foster

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: As a Brit, I can't help but have it as my #1. It's an amazing adventure film that was willing to take some risks, which you see very little of today. Love Bright Eyes and the cast fulfill their roles really well.

Hurt - 4
Cox - 4.5 (Rewatched it lately for Cox and I have to agree with Louis)
Briers - 3.5
Andrews - 4

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Have you seen Holocaust. If so, your thoughts on it as well as the cast.

Anonymous said...

Louis, would you consider reviewing Jeff Bridges in True Grit again?

Robert MacFarlane said...

Does anyone else think how the risk of casting an actor against type is way less than the reward? Worst case scenario, you get the most fascinating type of bad performance (Luthorberg), best case scenario you allow someone to show an entirely new side to themselves, and possibly open the door to a different career path. Admittedly that path is not always to their benefit (Depp past the first Pirates), but you still get at least something to talk about. Just a random thought.

Louis Morgan said...

Luke:

Most of it, but not all.

Anonymous:

Yes.

Calvin Law said...

Robert: definitely. Against type casting is always at the very least an interesting thing to watch. Unfortunately it also can also result in the biggest critical backlash possible although that depends entirely on the specific actor.

Louis Morgan said...

Robert:

I'd entirely agree, as at worst it is never boring and at best its revelatory.

Bryan L. said...

One example for me is NPH in Gone Girl. The end result didn't pay off, but I suppose I can give the filmmakers credit for thinking outside the box there.