Monday 5 November 2018

Alternate Best Actor 1987: Gaspard Manesse in Au Revoir Les Enfants

Gaspard Manesse did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Julien Quentin in Au Revoir Les Enfants.

Au Revoir Les Enfants is an effective film following a schoolboy in Nazi occupied France during World War II.

 In 1987 there were three films that featured the child's perspective during World War II, obviously I just reviewed Christian Bale as the British boy in Japanese occupied China in Empire of the Sun, then there was a British boy in the blitz in John Boorman's Hope and Glory, and then finally we have Louis Malle's semi-autobiographical here. Although all three feature that perspective the latter two have a more distant approach in terms of how the central performance is utilized. Of course this does not speak to the quality of the films, I believe the latter two films to be superior than Spielberg's film. The two though are not strictly of innocence breaking rather the idea of innocence is reflected in the boy's interactions with their situation. This is what we have here in Gaspard Manesse as the schoolboy simply attending a catholic boarding school. There is a bit of fear but even this is portrayed in a pretty low key way by Manesse as Julien says goodbye to his mother. Not in an underwhelming way mind you, Manesse delivers it as the slight hesitations of a well adjusted boy, and it isn't anything that one would need to dwell upon.

The film then is mostly of Julien attending his school. Now far more is going on around it with the Nazi soldiers prowling around, an anti-Jewish sentiment being pervasive in some, the priest principal at the head of the school seeming as though the weight of the world on his shoulders and one fellow school boy who just doesn't seem to quite fit in. In the middle of this is Julien who isn't blissfully ignorant, but rather Manesse's portrays the ignorance of a boy not really at an age where that would press unto his mind. Manesse's performance rather realizes the state of Julien as simply a boy who wants to do well in school and perhaps make a few friends. This eventually is the boy who doesn't quite fit in named Jean. Manesse's portrayal of interactions with the boy though is that of boy's being boys. That being a bit of jealousy at first, at his mutual academic performance, that slowly transforms into camaraderie and friendship. None of this is particularly intense in nature, nor should it be, rather both young actors just realize the friendship of two boys as though they were of any time. There are hints of the boy's situation of course, and this is perhaps where Manesse's greatest challenge in terms of his performance is realized.

This being in Julien's slow realization that the boy Jean is in fact Jewish and is being hidden to escape persecution by the Nazis. Manesse manages to handle this largely in reactionary moments throughout the film. This being in granting a particular focus to certain moments where Jean's background is questioned. Again though Manesse's handling of these moments is still just a boy who is quietly discovering something, not of some investigator of any sort. Julien is not in some quest of any kind he's just a friend to the boy, and exists in a world of just trying to live his life. Eventually the Nazis do come for the Jews being hidden in the school, and Julien accidentally telegraphs Jean's location. This is a good moment as played by Manesse as just a most genuine fear of a boy for his friend. He handles the whole "purging" sequence well by conveying the growing anxiety in the boy with this certain sense of disbelief as though his whole world is crashing down. This too is reserved, though effectively so, as Julien is not the one being arrested, and he really can't do much about it. Manesse's depiction is that of a nearly being petrified which is an honest portrayal given that Julien is not any more than just a boy who hasn't experienced much hardship in his life. Manesse's performance is still rather moving in its final moments of portraying the overwhelming sadness in the boy as he watches those being taken away. Manesse's whole performance is one that works well for the film however it is limited. It is distant, though detached, as this straight forward representation of a young student simply living a young's student life, until suddenly the horrible outside world tears that simplicity from him.

76 comments:

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

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

Also, could I have your It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia cast ranking?

Luke Higham said...

Louis: In your opinion, would you call it the best of fhe three and your more detailed thoughts on the film.

Bryan L. said...

Louis: Your 2010s choices for these Gene Hackman roles?

Popeye Doyle
Max Millan
Harry Caul
Rupert Anderson
Royal Tenenbaum

Bryan L. said...

Louis: Oh and what 2010s roles do you think he would've been great in back in his prime?

Anonymous said...

Louis: According to a Spanish book, Raoul Walsh planned to team up with Robert Mitchum again for an adventure film set in Japan. This was probably planned in the 50's.

Also, before making Paths of Glory, Stanley Kubrick collaborated with Calder Willingham to write a screenplay based on a Stefan Zwlig novel called The Burning Secret where a baron seduces a Jewish woman by befriending her son. Kubrick apparently also had planned to adapt another Willingham novel called Natural Child.

Your thoughts on these missed opportunities and David Lynch's Fantomas (another project that was never made).

Calvin said...

Saw Widows. I probably need a bit of time to gauge my overall feelings, which are largely very positive with some reservations with the editing and third act. Terrific ensemble though. I’ll lay off thoughts for some of the cast for now though.

Davis - 4.5
Debicki - 5 (my supporting actress win for now)
Rodriguez- 3.5
Erivo - 3.5
Farrell - 4
Henry - 4
Kaluuya - 5
Duvall - 3.5
Weaver - 2
Coon - 2.5
Neeson - 2.5

Michael McCarthy said...

I got to see Can You Ever Forgive Me? today and I quite liked it. Melissa McCarthy is definitely one of my top candidates for best actress and Grant is deserving of his likely nomination as well. Also Grant is indeed supporting, which I wasn't sure of based on the trailer.

Calvin Law said...

Also, with regards to this review, while I love the film and would go slightly higher, I do somewhat agree with Louis.

Louis Morgan said...

Tahmeed:

Fejto - 3.5(He also gives a nice natural performance though he is effective in just conveying really through his physical manner the weight of his situation in his interactions. He's especially good in portraying sort of the pent of fear when directly interacting with his potential persecutors.)

Racette - 3(She's perfectly fine, but her work doesn't stand out too much. It is a nice natural turn though.)

Malberg - 3(Makes his impact later on and effectively so in showing a bit more a n active observer though rather briefly.)

Morier-Genoud - 3.5(Good also in revealing sort of the weight of the world in his performance without ever speaking this. He creates the right internalized intensity of someone though who is doing something important, but also hiding this best he can.)

Negret - 3(Quite effective in his one major scene in portraying this particularly disgusting, though all too believable, self-righteousness in his horrible description of his behavior.)

Main:

1. Glenn Howerton
2. Kaitlin Olsen
3. Rob McElhenney
4. Charlie Day
5. Danny DeVito

Recurring:

1. Jimmie Simpson
2. Andrew Friedman
3. Sandy Martin
4. Gregory Scott Cummins
5. Brian Unger
6. Michael Naughton
7. Lynne Marie Stewart
8. David Hornsby
9. Lance Barber
10. Catherine Reitman
11. Shelly Desai
12. Nate Mooney
13. Mary Elizabeth Ellis
14. Artemis Pebdani
15. Travis Schuldt
16. Mary Lynn Rajskub
17. Brittany Daniel
18. Stephen Collins

One-offs (or near one-offs):

1. Scott Bakula (and yes I do just enjoy his performance of "Ziggy" that much)
2. Mae Laborde
3. Roddy Piper
4. Jack McGee
5. Anne Archer
6. Dave Foley
7. David Huddleston
8. Sean William Scott
9. Judy Greer
10. Guillermo Del Toro
11. Rene Auberjonois
12. Kyle Davis
13. T.J. Hoban
14. Nick Wechsler
15. Jason Sudeikis

Louis Morgan said...

Luke:

Yes I would, with Hope and Glory following then Empire of the Sun, despite Empire having the best leading performance. This film is most assured though in its vision which I thought was quite effectively realized. I love the way Malle, more so than Spielberg or Boorman, sticks to the idea of the child's eye. Through that he allows us to real become comforted by the atmosphere of the school, even seem okay even as we see the indicators of the problems of the outside world on the fringe. This makes the final sequence hit so powerfully, and makes it such a haunting moment as we are forced to see the true horrors of the war, even if in a technically low key fashion.

Bryan:

Popeye Doyle - David Harbour

Max Millan - Liev Schreiber

Harry Caul - Robert Downey Jr. (Remember he has a lot of range, he happens to be only playing one character currently.)

Rupert Anderson - Woody Harrelson

Royal Tenenbaum - Bill Murray (alt. Michael Keaton)

Prime Hackman:

Chief Willoughby
Cory Lambert
Chuck Wepner
Sal Nealon
Khrushchev
J. Paul Getty
Richard Loving
Jackson Healy

I can go on, there's a reason he's the greatest American Actor.

Oh but And since the man's prime was 70's- early 00's:

Marcus Hamilton
Woody Grant
And as always there is a perfect alternate reality where he came out of retirement to play, uncredited, Wilford in Snowpiercer (again imagine that reveal).

Anonymous:

Sounds like Yakuza honestly, which would've fit Walsh honestly.

Sounds like pre-Barry Lyndon, Barry Lyndon in a way, which for me probably would have been a better fit for early, more emotional, Kubrick.

Any David Lynch project I'd be in for that included even though they are unknowable to a certain extent, by the way he's apparently trying to raise funds to make film based on Robert Johnson currently, and I must say let this please become a reality.

Razor said...

Louis: Is USS Callister the only Black Mirror episode you've watched?

Anonymous said...

Louis what would be your cast and director for 1980's Fantastic Beasts?

Bryan L. said...

Louis: I was actually thinking of Schreiber or PSH for Caul, but RDJ as him would be something notable from him, especially now. Oh and that reveal might've gotten Snowpiercer A MUCH higher profile.

Lastly, do you think he also would've worked as...*drumroll*...Thanos? (Seriously though, but he was clearly great at being menacing, had the calm intensity, and the actual comic book supervillain he did play went great)

Louis Morgan said...

Razor:

Yes.

Anonymous:

Fantastic Beasts 1980's directed by Jim Henson:

Newt Scamander: Jonathan Pryce
Tina Goldstein: Margot Kidder
Jacob Kowalski: John Candy
Queenie Goldstein: Lesley Ann Warren
Percival Graves: Sam Neill
Credence: Crispin Glover
Mary Lou Barebone: Geraldine Chaplin
Gnarlack: Franz Oz
Grindelwald: David Bowie

Louis Morgan said...

Bryan:

Yes. And I'll always admit I, very sadly, forget to include PSH in these sort of questions.

Anonymous said...

Louis: So, do you think Lynch should have cast Bancroft in Ladd's role in Wild at Heart or do you think Ladd could have given a better performance than we got?

Oh, and who would you cast as Robert Johnson in Lynch's film (hope he does it)?

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

I really hope Elwes (my request) is the next review from his lineup

Louis Morgan said...

Anonymous:

Perhaps to both, though a lot love her in that anyways, and that is actually a rare outlier for me where a heightened Lynch performance didn't really work for me.

Keith Stanfield

Anonymous said...

Louis: Your cast and director for a 60's Bad Times at El Royale and a 90's The Old Man and The Gun.

Bryan L. said...

Anonymous: I'm thinking Paul Newman as Forrest Tucker for the 90s.

Anonymous said...

Louis: Your predictions for the nominations in the technical categories?

Bryan L: Great minds think alike.

Louis Morgan said...

Anonymous:

The Old Man and the Gun 1990's Directed by Billy Bob Thornton:

Forrest Tucker: Robert Mitchum (Newman for 00's version)
Detective Hunt: Billy Bob Thornton
Jewel: Carroll Baker
Teddy Green: Sidney Poitier
Waller: Harry Dean Stanton

Bad Times At the El Royale 1960's Directed by Billy Wilder:

Father Flynn: James Cagney
Darlene Sweet: Diahann Carroll
Emily Summerspring: Natalie Wood
Rose Summerspring: Lana Wood
Laramie Sullivan: Walter Matthau
Miles Miller: Sal Mineo
Billy Lee: Burt Reynolds

Anonymous:

Cinematography:

Roma (Winner)
First Man
If Beale Street Could Talk
A Star is Born
Ballad of Buster Scruggs

Costume Design:

The Favourite (Winner)
Black Panther
Mary Queen of Scots
Mary Poppins Returns
Fantastic Beasts 2

Editing:

First Man (Winner)
Roma
A Star is Born
Vice
Green Book

Production Design:

The Favourite (Winner)
First Man
Mary Queen of Scots
Mary Poppins Returns
Ballad of Buster Scruggs

Sound Editing:

First Man (Winner)
A Quiet Place
Mission Impossible: Fallout
Solo: A Star Wars Story
Incredibles 2

Sound Mixing:

First Man (Winner)
A Star is Born
A Quiet Place
Bohemian Rhapsody
Mary Poppins Returns

Makeup and Hairstyling:

Stan and Ollie (Winner)
Vice
Black Panther

Visual Effects:

First Man (Winner)
Avengers: Infinity War
Ready Player One
Solo: A Star Wars Story
Mary Poppins Returns

Score:

First Man (Winner)
If Beale Street Could Talk
Mary Poppins Returns
Green Book
Incredibles 2

Bryan L. said...

Louis: Speaking of Burt Reynolds, can I have your thoughts on him as an actor?

Calvin Law said...

So that It's Always Sunny Finale...I did like it. Interesting to see Mac and Frank pair up, to pretty good effect, and that ending was very affecting. Probably the best 'experimental' episode this season (which has been a mixed bag on the whole), certainly a step up from the last three episodes which I thought were three of the weakest overall.

My cast ranking for the season:

1. Glenn Howerton
2. Rob McElhenney
3. Kaitlin Olson
4. Danny Devito
5. Charlie Day

Louis Morgan said...

Bryan:

A personification of the word swagger, and all that comes with it. In that the man had bounds of charisma, which was brimming through his onscreen confidence, when he was in peak form. Supplementing that he was a bit of a covertly talented actor as shown in his work in Deliverance, The Longest Yard, and Boogie Nights. He had the ability to real bring a vulnerability to his roles, especially in Deliverance, that made him more than just a sly smile and stylish mustache. With that was actually notable range between his dramatic and comedic turns, both he could excel with. Sadly with all that confidence did come arrogance, not unlike I'd say kind of one of his pseudo successors in Bruce Willis, where he didn't lose his talent, however it became a little too tied with how much he seemed to value his roles which seemed to become very little along the way. Now I'll admit, from what I've seen, Reynolds nadir was never close to what Willis is doing currently, but it is a similar trajectory of an actor whose in inability to temper his ego became his downfall as a performer.

Calvin:

I have to say the Super Bowl episodes in particular only further reminded me why Dennis simply is an ingredient the show can't do without.

Matt Mustin said...

Louis: Very subjective question, but what are some of the movie scenes that consistently make you laugh the most?

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Louis: This might be a bit of a convoluted question, but what are some film performances that you consider brilliant, but would be considered terrible if said film had a different tone.

Bryan L. said...

Tahmeed: Christian Bale in American Psycho is the first one that comes to mind.

RatedRStar said...

Tahmeed: Albert Finney in Under the Volcano, imagine if that film had a comedic tone lol

RatedRStar said...

In fact, add Albert Finney in Shoot the Moon to that list, imagine if that film was dead serious lol.

John Smith said...

Louis and everyone on else. Do you have any favorite critics who do reviews/analysis in video formats?

My favorites would be Ralphthemoviemaker, Cinema Tyler, Chris Stuckmann, YMS, Lindsay Ellis Dan Harmon, Lesson From the screenplays, Jack's movie reviews, Nerdwriter, Red Letter Media

Luke Higham said...

John: Mark Kermode

RatedRStar said...

John: Mark Kermode, Siskel & Ebert, Red Letter Media, Chris Stuckmann and Jeremy Jahns would be mine, although the first 3 are the ones who I madly respect and admire whereas I am more of a casual watcher to Stuckmann and Jahns.

Anonymous said...

Louis: Your top 20 best shot films of the 50's and 80's.

Emi Grant said...

John: Love Stuckmann

Emi Grant said...

John: and LFTS and CineFix

Matt Mustin said...

Saw The Old Man & the Gun. Absolutely delightful. I don't know if this really is Redford's final film, but if it is, it's a beautiful sendoff for a cinematic legend. LOVED the jazz score.

Redford-5
Affleck-4.5
Spacek-4
Waits-4
Glover-3
Sumpter-2.5
Moss-3

Mitchell Murray said...

To those people here who've been following my blog, sorry I've been absent for the past week and a half. Lets just say I ran into "technical difficulties" and leave it at that.

My review of Naomi Watts for "21 Grams" is up and I'll try to return to my initial frequency.

On a different note, actually, I did watch "The Hate U Give" recently which I liked quite a bit. Saving Stenberg for the mean time, but I will say Hornsby warrants every ounce of praise coming his way. He grants such a presence to his role and makes a big impact with what little screen time he has.

Michael McCarthy said...

I saw Suspiria today...



It was very.

Matt Mustin said...

What are everyone's personal choices for Original and Adapted screenplay so far? Mine:

Original: Sorry to Bother You
Adapted: The Old Man & the Gun

Robert MacFarlane said...

Original: Sorry to Bother You, but Thoroughbreds is close

Adapted: You Were Never Really Here

Emi Grant said...

Original: Eighth Grade (Sorry to Bother You is my runner-up)

Adapted: BlacKkKlansman

Bryan L. said...

Original: Sorry to Bother You

Adapted: Hhmmm...I thought Infinity War was well-written for what it's worth, but otherwise I'm not sure yet

Anonymous said...

Louis: your top 20 cate blanchett acting moments

Calvin Law said...

Original: Sorry to Bother You

Adapted: Leave No Trace

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: Do you have any blog posts lined up or are you busy at the moment. If not, could I come up with some ideas.

Omar Franini said...

Original: The Favourite or Roma

Adapted: Burning

Calvin Law said...

Like: Busy but please come up with ideas! I do want to get back into writing.

Omar: Burning would be my win but I have just the minorest of issues.

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: A review of Mark Rylance in Wolf Hall (This is one you did intend on doing at some point but haven't been able to get around to).

A Continuation of the top tracks by great film composers (You did Zimmer last year)

Could perhaps do a top 5/10 works by cinematographers like Deakins, Lubezki, Elswit, Cardiff etc.

In terms of Actors and Actresses, you should probably do an update for some of the top 5s that you've done and could you do some for Robert Shaw, Mads Mikkelsen, Gene Hackman, Max Von Sydow, Liv Ullmann, Al Pacino, Tom Courtenay, Robert De Niro, Robert Duvall and The Hellraisers (Burton, O'Toole, Harris and Reed). I'll come up with others when you've completed them.

Lastly, a return of the Head to Heads (Henry VIII, Elizabeth I, Doc Holliday, Hamlet etc.).

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: And John Hurt.

Bryan L. said...

Calvin: I'd like to chime in and suggest a similar article to the one you wrote last year regarding how the Oscar-nominated directors from that year would've done in directing the other Best Picture nominees. (How Nolan would've directed Get Out, Del Toro with The Post, Gerwig with Dunkirk, etc.)

Bryan L. said...

Calvin: All in good fun of course :D

Bryan L. said...

Louis: Your thoughts on "Sea Wall" from the Blade Runner: 2049 soundtrack?

Anonymous said...

Louis: When planning to direct The Paradine Case, Hitchcock wanted Greta Garbo to play Mrs. Paradine. Interestingly enough, she was the inspiration for the character. Ingrid Bergman and Hedy Lamarr were also considered.

James Mason and Joseph Cotten were considered for Peck's role aside from Olivier and Colman while Claude Rains was considered for Laughton's part.

Thoughts on the choices

Calvin Law said...

Luke: I could do Rylance but that'll take awhile, plus I really need a re-watch.

Film composers is good shout, might do that for Morricone to begin with.

Cinematographers is a great idea!

Those are great ideas for actors especially it'll be quick and easy. I'll note all of those down.

Henry VIII and Elizabeth I think I still have quite a few to see. Hamlet could be managed.


Bryan: that's a good idea. I think for that I'd go for -

Paul Thomas Anderson's Dunkirk

Jordan Peele's The Shape of Water

Guillermo del Toro's Lady Bird

Christopher Nolan's The Post

Greta Gerwig's Get Out

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: Take as long as you need. All I want is something else to read aside from Louis and Mitchell's blogs.

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: I'll come up with other ideas at the beginning of next year.

Álex Marqués said...

Luke: you might find this column interesting to read
https://thedissolve.com/features/performance-review/

Calvin Law said...

Louis: thoughts on this Alway's Sunny scene - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3uDTYdFGhjs I genuinely think this is one of the greatest acted, and also directed, television scenes of all-time.

Louis Morgan said...

Matt:

Well here's a random number of scenes I pretty much always laugh at.

Do you know what this means?:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SR5BfQ4rEqQ

Inanimate Object:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9x-iZGnsLOU

Kkkken is cccoming to kkkkilllme:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YgJvgESR920

March of Welcome:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1czzbk9ITk

Hot Fuzz Point Break (second part, and it's really the whole scene):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IHUsPCkaQqM

Flames on the side of my face:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrqxmQr-uto

The f dash dash dash word:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UwvEBhTYV5c

"fun" with Quaaludes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jP5e2XJsB_4

Coca Cola Company
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DUAK7t3Lf8s

Squad B leader
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZOdn3D4xfs4

Hollywood Shootout
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dl5GUOM62X4

Tahmeed:

Well really that's most performances that aren't in dramas, and even then it can still come into play. Finding the right tone for the material is an essential facet of almost any successful performance in my mind, and having a consistent tone among the performances is the trademark of a skilled director of actors.

Louis Morgan said...

John:

Siskel & Ebert for classic, Mark Kermode currently, for entertainment value of reviews.

Anonymous:

50's:

1. Night of the Hunter
2. The Ballad of Narayama
3. Rashomon
4. Vertigo
5. Ugetsu
6. Seven Samurai
7. The Bridge on the River Kwai
8. The Searchers
9. Strangers on a Train
10. Throne of Blood
11. Touch of Evil
12. Sansho the Baliff
13. The Human Condition I
14. Paths of Glory
15. Ikiru
16. The Seventh Seal
17. Sunset Boulevard
18. The Quiet Man
19. Les Diaboliques
20. Sweet Smell of Success

80's:

1. The Last Emperor
2. Ran
3. Pennies, From Heaven
4. The Elephant Man
5. Blade Runner
6. The Mission
7. Paris, Texas
8. Kagemusha
9. Once Upon a Time in America
10. The Thing
11. Amadeus
12. The Right Stuff
13. Blue Velvet
14. Das Boot
15. Blow Out
16. Gallipoli
17. The Natural
18. Reds
19. The Shining
20. Raging Bull

Calvin Law said...

Also, just had a great idea for a 2000s In the Heat of the Night cast, having just re-watched The Guard; Louis, your choice for a director?

Virgil Tibbs: Don Cheadle
Gillespie: Brendan Gleeson
Sam: Jeremy Renner
Mrs Colbert: Julianne Moore
Endicott: David Huddleston
Oberst: Jimmi Simpson
Ralph: Jason Butler Harner

John Smith said...

Louis, your thoughts and ratings on Irma.P.Hall in Lady Killers.

Bryan L. said...

John Smith: It appears we'll have to wait for Bonus 2004 for those thoughts, since he hasn't seen it yet.

Anonymous said...

louis: your top 11-20 robert duvall acting moments

Michael McCarthy said...

So I just watched Outlaw King and honestly, I didn’t think it was half bad. Mackenzie’s direction has some excellent flourishes and Pine and Pugh both give strong turns.

Luke Higham said...

Saw Widows last night, though not exactly in the best circumstances, having been hired by KFC this week.

I liked it even with it's somewhat disappointing third act.

Davis - 4.5
Debicki - 4.5/5 (Calvin, I need a re-watch for her, since Kaluuya really had my attention and was quite tired last night)
Rodriguez - 3.5
Erivo - 3.5
Kaluuya - 5
Farrell - 4
Henry - 4
Duvall - 3.5
Neeson - 3
Coon was underused.

Calvin Law said...

Debicki was my MVP, personally, but yeah Coon was really wasted.

Going to watch Mandy tonight, and possibly Wildlife tomorrow.

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: Having said that, I don't think Kaluuya's winning the Supporting overall as he was rather underused in the Third act.

RatedRStar said...

Luke: How do you mean, not in the best circumstances?

RatedRStar said...

Luke: You got a new job?

Luke Higham said...

RatedRStar: Yes. :)

I was pretty tired yesterday, so I couldn't give it my full attention from start to finish.

RatedRStar said...

Luke: Congratulations are your new job =D

Luke Higham said...

RatedRStar: Thank you.

Louis Morgan said...

Anonymous:

Blanchett

1. Press Conference - I'm Not There
2. Son - Blue Jasmine
3. Taking charge - Elizabeth
4. "Promise" to Queen Mary - Elizabeth
5. Party - I'm Not There
6. Violent attack - Veronic Guerin
7. "Becoming" the Virgin Queen - Elizabeth
8. Random ramblings - Blue Jasmine
9. Helping "young" Benjamin - Curious Case
10. Family confrontation - Blue Jasmine
11. Divorce proceedings - Carol
12. Romantic interlude - Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou
13. Meeting the reporter - I'm Not There
14. Romantic song - Bandits
15. Guilty - Blue Jasmine
16. Confronting the French - Elizabeth
17. Car Ride - I'm Not There
18. meeting as adults - Benjamin Button
19. Small Submarine - Life Aquatic With Steve Zissou
20. Believing she's making the story - Veronic Guerin

Bryan:

Aka why it still should have been Oscar nominated despite reusing some of Vangelis's work. In that it evokes Vangelis but also takes it in a new direction. It is notable, and important the mixture, in this grandiose use of the synth to creating such an immersive score. It finds this perfect combination, like the original score, in terms of creating this alienation, and beauty all the same. It also seamlessly interweaves itself with the old music to create a brand new creation.

Anonymous:

Garbo would have been much better, though a bit wasted in that it still was a lame part. Mason and Cotten also would've been better, though the writing was the biggest problem. Rains could've perhaps brought a bit more than Laughton did there, but not much given how superfluous his character's subplot was.

Calvin:

"I bet that's old Wally" indeed. Well I'd agree with that in that in terms of the direction there is a palatable sense of claustrophobia created in every little detail of it all. In addition we get an all timer moment perhaps from Howerton, though McElhenney is also good there, in his realization of Dennis's frustrations that are frightening, hilarious yet potentially even sympathetic in a weird way. It's amazing scene honestly though as in execution it is so intense, yet still so funny all the same anchored by of course the golden god.

Louis Morgan said...

Calvin:

Hmmm, maybe George Clooney.