It has to be said that Edward G. Robinson is one of the most consistent of actors of the period as he just has a certain grace that was so rare from the period and seemed to so easily avoid that stiffness that some of even the better actors of the period would fall into. Kid Galahad is yet another example of Robinson just, well, owning a part with such from the first scene we see him in. Robinson just has his grasp on the material from his first scene as we see Nick trying to direct his boxer alongside his girlfriend "Fluff" Phillips (Bette Davis). Robinson brings that energy that does just jump of the screen which is a perfect fit also for such a character. He finds the sort of spark needed essentially to represent the fight of the fight granting the right passion as he attempts to control his fighter and win the match.
That fighter proves to be a bad investment and Nick begins to attempt to find anyone in order to beat his mob connected rival Turkey Morgan (Humphrey Bogart, by the way it seems one should never make any deal with Bogart in a pre-Maltese Falcon film). Robinson is quite good at being just kind of the man near the top but not quite. Robinson infuses the right personal style that is just big enough to be befitting of a guy who knows exactly what he wants even if it seems just a bit out of reach. Again Robinson is someone who usually is just fun to watch, and that is the case here. He enlivens even the weaker a scenes a bit by just his mere presence as he makes Nick a surprisingly endearing figure despite the fact that he doesn't exactly hide the fact that he is kind of a jerk. The Robinson though plays into this though grants again this certain elegance to Nick that somehow makes him for whatever reason the better jerk against Bogart, who is in full heel mode here.
The major flaw perhaps of the film is there is not quite enough Nick to go around, he's almost supporting though I will say that Robinson still is lead. The film though often drifts its focus towards hayseed boxer Ward "Kid Galahad" Guisenberry who just is an all around swell guy, and is purposefully as straight forward as it gets. All the drama really comes from Nick, and Robinson's performance. Again Robinson doesn't avoid the nastier side to the character as when Ward gets interested in Nick's kid sister, which Nick doesn't approve of. Although Robinson brings the needed intensity to Nick's anger he does still bother to attach it to this certain emotional devotion to her that conveys effectively the motivation. Robinson does not simplify the motivation at any point. Robinson delivers the right sort of disdain as he purposefully sets up the "Kid" to take a hard fall in a fight, though of course his friends prod him to reconsider. Nick has the last minute change of heart, which although I wish more time had been spent on it, Robinson absolutely delivers. He somehow even makes it work conveying his crisis of conscience though partially because of the motivation he had granted to earlier outrage. He not only makes it work though but he actually manages to make it quite moving by showing Nick's breakdown in such a restrain yet honest fashion. This might not be Robinson's best work, but it is an another example of the man's considerable talent.
113 comments:
Louis: Who would you've cast instead of Clooney and Woodley in The Descendants.
Has anyone seen The White Ribbon, if so, were there any performances that stood out to you.
Luke:
Thomas Haden Church and Woodley's more talented counterpart(particularly back then) Jennifer Lawrence.
Oh also on an unrelated note I have to make a correction on my most emotional TV moments list, because somehow I forgot to include, what would actually be my number one, The Ending to 11.22.63
Louis: Any possibility for an upgrade to Cazale or Savage in The Deer Hunter.
@Luke: I have seen it and it's a brilliant movie but from what I remember that aren't performances that would be worthy of more than a 4.
Luke: To answer your question, no. I haven't.
And why i asked that question about upgrading The Deer Hunter supporting cast, is because i rewatched the film today, and i think Savage and Cazale are also very haunting.
Yeah Louis that ending to 11.22.63 broke me (along with many other moments in the series). I feel like it must've broken you too but I won't interrogate.
Charles: I think Savage is completely deserving of a 5. Cazale doesn't get as much to do but I do think he's pretty great too.
To anyone who's a fan of Dragon Ball Z, I implore you all to watch Team Four Star's Abridged series of it. It's one of the funniest things I've ever seen, and due to the lack of filler content (they get done with the Frieza saga by their 30th episode, with each episode being 10-14 mins long), it's a blast to watch. They somehow manage to not make me mind their comedic parodying of characters I know and love, and I can't think of any better praise to give it.
It's up on Youtube, and the link to a playlist to all the episodes is down below-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nYozPLpJRE&list=PL6EC7B047181AD013
@Tahmeed: I'm a huge fan of DBZ Abridged myself. I also loved their Final Fantasy VII Abridged.
I'm seeing Logan tonight.
Luke: Thoughts on Logan, and ratings and thoughts on the cast upon seeing it.
Robert: I'm really glad to hear that :) I'm yet to check out their FFA series, but I've heard great things about it. What would you say is your favorite personality change on DBZA from the original?
Mine is Mr Popo by a landslide xD
Tahmeed: I'll be giving thoughts on the film, but only give ratings for the cast, as I'd rather try not to spoil anything and I'm not particularly great at translating my thoughts in writing on the first viewing.
@Tahmeed: Hard choice. Leaning towards Vegeta.
Luke: Oh, i hope you like it. I'll be seeing it early next week.
Charles:
Savage yes. Cazale feels right.
Luke:
I'm seeing it tonight as well.
Robert and any other anime fans: Your top 10 anime characters. Mine-
1. L, Death Note
2. Vegeta, Dragon Ball Z
3. Piccolo, Dragon Ball Z
4. Korosensei, Assassination Classroom
5. Levi, Attack on Titan
6. Light Yagami, Death Note
7. Goku, Dragon Ball Z (the greatest anime traditional hero ever, although I have to admit that the English dub doesn't quite get his flaws from the manga right).
8. Future Trunks, Dragon Ball Z
9. Saitama, One Punch Man
10.Ryoma Echizen, The Prince ofTennis
Louis: Your thoughts on Logan and ratings/thoughts on the cast later tonight.
@Tahmeed:
1. L from Death Note
2. Edward Elric from Fullmetal Alchemist (2003)
3. Beelzemon from Digimon Tamers
4. Light Yagami from Death Note
5. Roy Mustang from Fullmetal Alchemist (either series)
6. Mako from Kill La Kill
7. Shikamaru from Naruto
8. Matt/Yamato from Digimon Adventure
9. Ussop from One Piece
10. Scar from Fullmetal Alchemist (2003 series)
Tahmeed: I have seen very little of TFS. I should check out more of their DBZ stuff.
Anyway, here's my top 10 anime characters.
1. Spike Spiegel from Cowboy Bebop
2. L from Death Note
3. Goku from Dragon Ball
4. Alucard from Hellsing
5. Light Yagami from Death Note
6. Edward Elric from Fullmetal Alchemist
7. Roy Mustang from Fullmetal Alchemist
8. Revy from Black Lagoon
9. Inuyasha from Inuyasha
10. Yusuke Urameshi from Yu Yu Hakusho
Robert: One Piece. That one anime that doesn't know when it wants to end.
Louis: Rating and thoughts on Bogart and Davis.
Tahmeed: Oh there are so many anime characters I love, my favorites tend to be endearing characters.
1. Teddie - Persona 4
2. L - Death Note
3. Yuri Katsuki - Yuri On Ice
4. Yumoto - Cute High Earth Defense Club
5. Yoshikage - Jojos Bizarre Adventure
6. Nagisa Hazuki - Free!
7. Yosuke - Persona 4
8. Spike - Cowboy Bebop
9. Rem - RE:Zero
10 Vegeta - Dragon Ball Z
Louis: Rating/Thoughts on Madonna in Evita.
Speaking of Japan, more specificly X Japan, the documentary We Are X is pretty sad to watch.
Anonymous:
Bogart - 4(Rather strong example of Bogart being just the smuggest most despicable sort possible. Bogart revels in it here, in the right way just being so unlikable while not being one note either. He has enough fun with the role while still establishing a definite menace)
Davis - 4(She's rather good here not exactly playing a moll here but does well as the more worldly sort. She's effective in her scenes in striking up enough of a chemistry with both of the leads though in different ways. Conveying enough attraction with enough of a selfless support towards the boxer, than brings the attempt at a greater connection in her scenes with Robinson. It's good performance and manages to make her character have purpose despite not being completely required for the plot to work.)
Luke:
Madonna - 2.5(She delivers the songs well enough, and it is all singing. The problem is she doesn't quite act them enough. She just kind of gives the general emphasis of importance in her performance. In that she just kind of exudes a vague drama that attempts to suggests something just she never really defines it. There's no real transition from almost a street walker to a world leader. She feels a constant throughout and there is never the edge needed to suggest the real charisma or manipulation possible with the character.)
Louis: How would you rank the performances in Back to The Future (1985)
Louis: Your thoughts on Josh Brolin in True Grit(2010)
Saw Logan. LOVEDDDDDDDDDDDD ITTTTTTTTTT. :)
It's in the top 2/3 Comic-Book films of all-time for me and Jackman, Stewart and Keen were fantastic.
Jackman - 5
Stewart - 5
Keen - 5
Merchant - 3.5/4
Holbrook - 3.5
Grant - 2.5
And it will remain in my top-ten by the end of the year.
Luke: You just made me more excited to see Logan.
Anonymous: I know you were somewhat pessimistic with this film, but it certainly lived up to the hype.
I think Jackman's a definite 5.
Louis: Who would you have chosen for Emma Frost instead of January Jones? I think Theron would have been great.
Luke: Glad to hear that. My enthusiasm has gone up some more for Logan.
I can't believe I'm this late to a discussion of DragonballZ.
Tahmeed: That's a hard question, since aside from Mr. Popo DBZA doesn't usually change the essence of the characters' personalities. I do really like how trolly they're making Cell though
Top 10 anime characters (I haven't seen that many but I have enough for a list)
1. Goku-DBZ
2. Vegeta-DBZ
3. Lelouch-Code Geass
4. Hououin Kyouma-Steins;gate
5. Suzaku-Code Geass
6. Mayuri-Steins;gate
7. Mr. Satan-DBZ
8. C.C.-Code Geass
9. Death the Kid-Soul Eater
10. Excalibur-Soul Eater
Everyone here on this blog who's an anime fan, your top ten favorite voice actors and actresses in dubbing.
Anonymous: I like Anime to an extent, but in most cases, I can't stand English dubbing.
Louis: Your top ten scores by James Horner.
Luke: Never thought you liked anime.
Anonymous: It's not something I personally care to talk about here but I like Digimon, The Last Airbender and Yu-Gi-Oh! (Original). I tried to watch Dragon Ball Z many years back but couldn't get into it and completely despise Pokemon.
Luke: The Last Airbender isn't anime. It's just an American cartoon inspired by anime.
Anonymous: It has a somewhat similar style and couldn't give a shit, that it wasn't made in Japan.
Luke: Pokemon is sadly one of those animes that will never end. :(
It's ridiculously repetitive and hope Ash Ketchum dies in the worst way imaginable.
I saw Logan, and, um, holy shit that was violent. I'm not actually sure how I feel about the film itself, but I thought the three principles were all amazing.
Robert: I'm glad we agree on Hugh, Patrick and Dafne. :)
Don't have the time at the moment to go into further detail but I really liked Logan though I think its rather "The Cowboys" style ending will probably prove divisive.
Saving Jackman and Stewart.
Keen - 4.5
Merchant - 4
Holbrook - 3.5
Grant - 3
Louis: I know this is early, but could Keen go up on a Re-Watch.
Keen impressed me the most of the cast, and it probably my favorite child performance of the 2010's.
Louis: Is Logan your favourite X-Men/Wolverine film and what are your top ten Comic-Book films.
Okay, in terms of my thoughts on the film: I don't think I ever felt totally in sync with the film's handling of violence or tone, yet somehow I still sort of loved it. I'm having a hard time articulating this contradiction.
Luke:
Still don't have the time to go into further detail yet, but I don't need a re-watch, given a little more time to think about the film, I'd upgrade her to a five right now.
It is great to see Stephen Merchant come so far, he was amazing during his days with Ricky Gervais and Karl Pilkington.
Louis: Thank You, I absolutely loved Keen in this film.
Louis: Is Keen Supporting or bordering on Lead.
I liked Logan a lot, not as much as you guys perhaps but I thought it brought so much unexpected to the table. I'd pick Keen out as MVP for now.
Louis, your Top 10 Steve Carrel and Mark Ruffalo acting moments.
I'd say Keen is co-lead. The crux of the movie is her relationship to Logan.
Louis, your top 10 documentaries
I will still be brief on Logan given everyone should get a chance to see it first. Logan though is a very effective neo-western more than anything, though I felt its touches of continuity from the main series only amplified the film rather than detracted from it. It stayed with the character and within the relationships I found it incredibly poignant. I will say though the action is well done, I think this a better written film than a directed one, though not poorly directed. There are just a few moments where the tone wavers a bit too much. The action for example while thrilling, I think could have been toned down just a bit and it would have only benefited the film. There are a few lows but the heights are so high I have no hesitation in calling it one of the ten best comic book movies ever made.
Keen - (Definitely lead by the way. I'll stay brief here, ask for more later, again due to spoilers, but the more I think about her performance the more impressive it becomes. Being essentially a badass little girl in itself is an achievement in itself, but it's so much more. What Keen does in establishing the charged emotional state of the character and showing the history of her through that is astonishing. She's not a constant though and where she goes with her performance builds to something rather remarkable.)
Holbrook - (He was a very good very classic sort of bad guy. He brought just the right sort of smug confidence that made him so enjoyably despicable.)
Merchant - (Though we get some of the humor you'd expect from him I was surprised by what he did with the role. When it comes to light the truth of his character Merchant's work only coincides with it as there is this palatable sense of shame within even his quiet jokes. Then there is his final scene which quite something.)
Grant - (Somewhat limited but he was good in just kind of setting up is impassioned yet amoral scientist in but a few scenes.)
Charles:
Lloyd
Fox
Glover
Wilson
Thompson
All good, top two all time great.
Anonymous:
Brolin - 2(One of his very few missteps as an actor. Brolin usually doesn't mess up, but he just gets off on the wrong path here. Pepper eats him alive in their scene together. The idea of the character is either that he's just a violent idiot, or a somewhat cunning man hiding beneath the violent idiot. Well Brolin just goes for the violent idiot and just REALLY overplays the mannerisms to the point that's he just a little too goofy to even be all that hate able. As with most the cast, baring a few exceptions, Brolin also struggles with the dialect.)
Anonymous:
Theron would have been much better, but it was really a thin a part to begin with. Jones just happened not to able to even deliver her few lines in a convincing way.
Luke:
1. Braveheart
2. Aliens
3. The Land Before Time
4. Glory
5. Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan
6. A Beautiful Mind
7. Apollo 13
8. Field of Dreams
9. The Mask of Zorro
10. Star Trek III: The Search for Spock
Logan would certainly be the best Wolverine movie (not much of challenge), but I think I'd probably also say that it might be the best James Mangold movie and X-Men film as well. It certainly had the most in terms of emotional impact.
I'd go for:
Jackman: 4.5 (verging on a 5)
Keen: 5
Stewart: 5
Holbrook: 4
Grant: 3
Merchant: 4
I thought all the smaller players were very good too.
Also Holbrook would've been a much better choice than Sarsgaard as the Magnificent Seven villain.
Calvin:
Agreed in regards to Holbrook, I'd actually move him up to 4 for Logan as well.
John Smith:
Top five feels more fitting:
Carell:
1. Take the suffering - Little Miss Sunshine
2. Mother comes to see - Foxcatcher
3. Gas Station - Little Miss Sunshine
4. Trident - Anchorman
5. Diner - Little Miss Sunshine
Ruffalo:
1. Arthur Leigh Allen interview -Zodiac
2. Dave helps Mark - Foxcatcher
3. Last meeting with Graysmith - Zodiac
4. Negotiations - Foxcatcher
5. Final scene - Shutter Island
Documentaries.
Prefer character studies myself, though I really have many lauded ones I still need to see.
Grizzly Man
The Jinx
O.J. Made in America
Hearts of Darkness: A Filmmaker's Apocalypse
King of Kong
Crumb
Weiner
F for Fake
Burden of Dreams
Little Dieter Needs to Fly
Louis: Have you seen any of Michael Moore's documentaries.
Louis: Your thoughts on Brion James as Parasite, Lori Petty as Livewire, Rick Bennett as Juggernaut and Colossus and Len Doncheff as Omega Red.
Luke: LOVE Bowling for Columbine.
I saw Logan. Brilliant film, and I won't hesitate in calling it the second-best comic-book movie of all time after The Dark Knight. I'm quite confident that Jackman and Stewart will stay in my Lead and Supporting Actor top 5 the entire year, and I'd be surprised if any lead actress performance tops Keen's.
Ratings-
Jackman-5
Stewart-5
Keen-5
Holbrook-4
Merchant-4
Grant-3.5
I can't really go into detail as to why I like these performances, as a lot of it will give the plot of the film away.
Hate the fact, I'm gonna have to wait 11 months for the Logan reviews.
Hate the fact that there is no justice in the world and that Hugh Jackman, Patrick Stewart and Dafne Keen have zero chances of garnering the Oscar nominations that they deserve.
And I just hope Jackman doesn't diminish in rewatch for Louis like Downey Jr did for Civil War, so that he will be reviewed.
Tahmeed: I think Jackman is locked for a review.
Tahmeed: I wouldn't worry about that. Keen going up instantly, assures me that he won't.
I guess the largest bit of praise I can give the film at the moment, (outside of the performances0 is that the chase scenes can be favorably compared to the ones in Mad Max Fury Road, especially given that in both films, every actor gives it their all and doesn't let the action overwhelm their performances.
I understand why Robert was slightly perturbed by the violence. I myself thought that it made the film all the more harrowing, but that's also one of the reasons I loved it so much. Jackman and Stewart dropping f-bombs every other line may have annoyed my mom a bit, but I personally enjoyed it and found it hilarious most of the time.
Luke:
I have, like I said I prefer character studies.
Louis: Your thoughts on Bowling For Columbine and Fahrenheit 9/11.
Louis: Have you seen Hoop Dreams? If so, I'd love to know your thoughts about it. Both Ebert and Siskel named it their favorite film of the 90s, and you recommending it would pique my interest all the more.
Luke:
See here's the case with why I prefer character study documentaries opposed to documentaries with "a point" no matter what cause, issue whathaveyou it's fighting for. In that most documentaries lie to you at least to some extent, whether that is due to omission or more often clever editing. Despite their nature they often aren't the truth, in that they will work around facts to craft a more compelling narrative. Moore for example is good at crafting such narratives with his films. It is frustrating though to ever find the omissions and the editing though that may ignore things to craft the narrative when it's intentions are technically more. I don't mind that with character studies because the intention is also just to give a compelling narrative which feels more honest with the dishonesty so to speak, for example Billy Mitchell in King of Kong isn't really a super villain.
Tahmeed:
I have not.
Louis: I Wholeheartedly agree with your statement.
Anyway, can I have quick thoughts on your top ten documentaries.
Louis, your top 10 final shots in movies.
Louis: concerning your Robinson review, can you see anyone in Hollywood now who could break out in a Boogie like fashion now?
Luke:
I'll add them to the film thoughts docket.
John Smith:
1. The Searchers
2. The Duellists
3. Seven Samurai
4. Modern Times
5. The Taking of Pelham One, Two Three
6. Notorious
7. Rashomon
8. The Bridge on the River Kwai
9. High and Low
10. Ran (Kurosawa was quite good at that)
Calvin:
No only because while there is typecasting now it was never quite to the extent it was back then.
Louis: Are you gonna see Beauty And The Beast in the theatre, or wait until it's posted online, because the response has been mixed.
*theater
Luke:
I personally am not going to run out to see it but there are other factors that may lead me to see it anyway.
Louis, your top 10 opening shots in movies?
Louis: Your thoughts on the cinematography and art direction of Lawrence of Arabia.
Louis: As it's common knowledge, that Jackman's now finished with Wolverine and X-Men entirely, who would be your choice to take over the role.
Louis: Is Sarah Miles a 4 or a 4.5 for Ryan's Daughter.
Luke: Jackman thinks Hardy would be a great Wolvie.
Anonymous: He's my choice as well, yet still want Louis' opinion on this. Jackman said in a recent interview that he would also like some Bollywood star to play Wolverine. (Can't say for sure, whether he was sincere or not)
Anonymous: He would make a good one, but i wouldn't want to see a talent like Tom Hardy get into comic book stuff. Sure it worked well for people like Ledger as The Joker. But i prefer what Hardy is doing now.
Charles: Now that I think about it, he already has Mad Max. He's still my personal choice, though I could live with him not being in the role.
Charles: He already has gotten into comic book stuff, The Dark Knight Rises. Didn't like his version of Bane?
Oh, I liked him as Bane, but felt he was undercut by the writing in the last act.
Luke: Actually, I asked that to Charles.
Luke: All right then. Who would you like to see as Hugo Strange, Black Mask and Mr. Freeze in a live-action Batman film?
Anonymous: Nevermind, I see you left a question mark at the end of your comment.
Anonymous:
Hugo Strange - Oscar Isaac/Jared Harris/Ralph Fiennes
Black Mask - Dominic West
Mr. Freeze - Mark Strong
Anonymous: It's not something he should stick too. I prefer roles such as him in Legend, TTSS, Revenant, and Locke. Him in The Dark Knight Rises was no Ledger as The Joker or Morgan as The Comedian.
Has anyone else seen Get Out? Because I like it more and more each passing day.
RobertL You can't praise that film enough. lol. I'll have to watch that.
Robert: No, but I really want to. Heard nothing but good things.
I too, will also watch Logan tonight. Will give thoughts and ratings after.
Doesn't come out round here till mid March but I will catch it alongside The Handmaiden.
John Smith:
Hard list to make actually as films even with an eye catching opening usually build up to it with a few cuts first.
1. Apocalypse Now
2. Touch of Evil
3. Boogie Nights
4. The Searchers
5. Raging Bull
6. The Player
7. True Grit
8. Memento
9. Drive
10. Unforgiven
Anonymous:
The visual design of Lawrence Arabia in terms of both art direction and cinematography is perfection truly. The film makes so many of the other epics of the period seem so false by comparison by the sheer majesty and grandeur of the desert captured so beautifully. When so many are on screen the camera movement grants the scale to the battle sequences with the needed fluidity, but then also offers such vastness when focus on the few of the desert. The art direction merely seems to take you to the time and place. It just feels as though you are there whether it is the grandeur palaces used by the high command, the lowly shack Lawrence stumbles upon, or the grit founded in the areas devastated by the Turks. Masterful in all ways.
Luke:
I personally want Hardy to stay away from franchises, beyond say a good villain role, so not him. I say retire Wolverine for at least ten years unless Jackman wants to come back, since he's still really young enough (he only looks slightly older than Hardy now).
Wolverine is a character too attached to its actor to recast so soon. The character needs to be retired like a sports jersey.
Granted, I feel that way about the Joker due to Heath Ledger's portrayal, and yet they still fucked that up royally.
Robert: I don't see them retiring Wolverine from live-action. He's like the most popular of the X-Men.
Louis: I'm glad we agree on Hardy. No franchises for him.
It's hard not to see any replacement being viewed as a Lazenby given that the only live action Wolverine has been Jackman and he's played him even more times than Connery played Bond. Then again they just recently recast Han Solo who was wholly defined by Harrison Ford.
Louis: Your overall thoughts on Kirsten Dunst as Mary Jane Watson.
As a fan of both the first two Raimi Spider-Mans and Kirsten Dunst: She was not good, but the character was terribly written. I'll never forget showing Spider-Man 2 to my 9-year-old cousin, and him saying in the middle "MJ is kind of a bitch". All I could do was sigh and agree.
Anonymous:
Dunst's rather talented but she can't overcome the role. I don't know why they decided to give Mary Jane so many unlikable attributes but they did (poor J. Jonah's son). I'm not sure any actress could have made the role work.
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