Sunday 21 July 2019

Alternate Best Actor 1963: Robert Shaw & Donald Pleasence in The Caretaker

Robert Shaw did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Aston nor did Donald Pleasence for portraying Mac Davies in The Caretaker.

The Caretaker is the most effective cinematic adaptation of the three Harold Pinter play's I've seen. This still, as with the other films, being largely a direct translation, though here with some careful cinematic additions within the film, most noticeably the film's eerie sound design.

Obviously, performances are essential with any play adaptation, however they seem to take on an even greater purpose within the ambiguous writing of Harold Pinter. His writing rarely spells things out, more of granting subtle shades of ideas, and alluding to things while rarely ever flatly telling you the direct truth of a matter. In this in mind we are introduced to two men walking down the streets as this film opens, observed by a third man. The first man appears to be a basic hobo played by Donald Pleasence. An actor who is best known today for his genre turns as Dr. Loomis in Halloween or perhaps as one take on James Bond's arch nemesis Blofeld. Although even as those turns show the evidence of the man's talent, they barely even skim the surface of his great ability as a performer. If one were to witness his turn here, one will immediately see all the greater dynamic of a performer, who already seemed rather remarkable. Pleasence is a far cry from the troubled yet clearly affluent Doctor Loomis, this as a lower class man, that Pleasence immediately embodies in a wholly transformative turn. Pleasence's whole physical manner is of this retiring behavior, a manner clearly defined by a hardship of some sort, a messy existence of a man living in the cracks of society. There's a particularly brilliant way with one hand Pleasence keeps warm essentially, as the other, reaching for expressions, keeping the man protecting himself, while seeming to attempting a conversation of some kind with the other man.

The other man is Aston, played of course by Robert Shaw, an actor who thankfully is best known for his greatest performance, however the greatness of his ability is perhaps still under looked. Shaw here though seems perhaps this is within a certain element of his wheelhouse. This being the cold man. This as there is such a stark contrast between Pleasence and Shaw, as Shaw walks barely with a glance to Pleasence, with a careful step, every movement along their pathway. The idea of interaction even seems almost alien, as Shaw makes Aston appear ever so distance. This curious state continues as Aston shows the elder man into an apartment, which he claims is a place he'll be able to stay for at least the night. Shaw's performance in this film actually is one of the result, and a most fascinating one. Because again, this appears as Shaw is working within the idea of the refined English gentleman, who is so austere in his manner, that there appears a contradiction as Aston makes this invitation to Pleasence's Davies. Shaw seems most peculiar, almost as though he is perhaps a calm collected murderer, as he just quietly delivers each line, while keeping this rather consistent eye contact with him. This as Aston remains always so observant yet so detached within Shaw's portrayal, that seems contradictory, at first.

Speaking of contradictions, of the more obvious sort, is the man that is Davies, who gives the name of Bernard Jenkins, along with a variety of different claims, depending on the slightest hint of an idea from Aston. Pleasence is downright amazing in realizing the rather tricky dialogue, of sorts, at hand in Davies who when in conversation imparts a constant stream of various thoughts, typically half-thought. Pleasence thrives with this, with an entirely different accent from his typically posher sort, that is not only crasser but also a natural lisp fitting to a man whose teeth are familiar with the street than a dentist's chair. Pleasence's accent, along with aforementioned physicality is not only so naturally realized, but immediately grants you a sense of this man as any presumed notions of a Pleasence performance are wiped away. Pleasence's ability with that the tricky dialogue is part of this, as he manages to make it sing, in the properly disjointed way it should be. He grants this perfect rambling tempo, when no one gets in the way of Davies's speech, that evokes so effectively a man who has basically made a good portion of his life just blathering to whoever is in ear shot. A man you may believe seems is eager for conversation, establishing why it is perhaps that Aston is walking with him as the film opens.

As great as the transformation already is by Pleasence, it theoretically could be easy enough to stop it there and leave him just this flat kook of a strange sort. Pleasence though takes this performance far beyond that, and in many ways, makes the film through how dynamic his portrayal is in terms of creating the nature of Davies. This is especially within portraying the shades of the man depending on his audience and depending on his circumstance. In that opening Pleasence has a false affability, in that it is very much egotistical in the grand standing way he speaks every word as this accomplishment, however brought to life in this outgoing fashion that one might believe is friendly, if one is poorly experienced in such things. This changes rather subtly in Pleasence's work as Aston offers Davies a place to stay. Pleasence so cleverly begins to subvert the initial impression a bit as he starts to eye the place with both a curiosity and suspicion. This as he conveys so effectively that Davies isn't quite sure what to make of Aston's offer, yet given his current circumstances is more than willing to utilize it. As he continues with this process Davies quiets just a bit, only a bit, and Pleasence is fantastic in a moment of scoffing at the lack of a usable gas stove. This with a directness, that Pleasence emphasizes within his delivery, that establishes sort of the essential "secret" of his character.

There is more to Davies as he comes into interactions with our third character, the observing man from the opening, Mick (Alan Bates) who is Aston's brother. He initially comes in though hectoring Davies by trying to scare him. Pleasence capturing an initial vicious reaction to attempt to push off any real threat, fitting to a man of the street as though he would be attempting to scare off any mob of men harassing him. When Mick reveals himself, and plays verbal games as well, Pleasence is great in portraying Davies finding his gear of dealing with this brother as well. This initial with these more hostile ramblings, when it appears Mick himself might be hostile, ramblings that build himself up. Pleasence is excellent in each bit of banter as though it is this exact, slightly mad, yet still skilled attack to attempt to settle his place. This almost drowning out any attacks on him through the sheer amount of lies he can espouse in single conversation. Pleasence realizes this beautiful mess in his work, as he manages to create the right degree of mania, with also a certain astuteness. Pleasence doesn't exactly portray this as wholly a lie in the man, but rather the man's method of defense, and as we will also see, attack.

Meanwhile we have Shaw's Aston who continues to seemingly be rather friendly in terms of his offerings to Davies. This is as he gives the man a place to stay and recommends that he have a job as well as the caretaker. This while also consistently mentioning his need to build a shed, a exceptionally performed and especially important line for him. This as he delivers it with this certain fixation on the idea, which matches this fixation we see in his eyes upon Davies. This as Shaw speaks as though he constantly looking for something from the man, something that Shaw doesn't portray as intense outwardly, but rather this internalized intensity towards an interest. This is the key to Shaw's performance though as we find in Shaw's major moment within the film, and the most concrete bit of information within the story. Once again proving the master of the monologue, Shaw's delivery of Aston's story is spellbinding. This is as he finally really speaks and Shaw pulls you into every word. This being another harrowing story of the past, but with a different tilt to the one he would become legendary for. This is as Shaw reveals a man essentially broken mentally, relating the story of the electroshock given to him. Shaw is haunting in every word by finding this most unique emotionalism, within just his eyes, and even the sharp distance of his story. This as he fashions this searing pain of the past within his words, that ends up being reflected into the present. This as he grants sense to the entirety of his performance, as explaining a man who has been stunted and detached emotionally. Shaw realizes this as man though, with still emotion, that still exists within him, but hidden within his hide damaged by perhaps illness, perhaps this trauma. Shaw's quiet intention to harm the man who had done this act to, he brings as this moment of remarkable clarity, as he conveys it as a bit of something Aston can hold onto in his difficult state. This is especially well realized as Shaw then segues back to Aston's statement of shed building, again as fixation he also uses as his base attempt at communication.

Shaw manages to convey the real purpose of Aston's long stares, and kindly actions as he seeks for human interaction yet struggles to find it. This making Davies seem the ideal candidate from his boisterous words, that again could seem affable enough, particularly for someone as socially stunted as Aston. Pleasence excels as he slowly portrays Davies not so much as changing, but revealing himself. This as he begins to slowly find friendlier terms with Mick, at the same time Aston attempted to reveal more of himself. With the former brother Pleasence fashions this almost good old boy attitude, as he revels in joy with the back and forth with almost this maniacal glee. This turns even more so to this as Pleasence speaks with quiet venom these little words of antagonism towards Aston to Mick, and reveals a subtle manipulation within the man. This is against his scene with Aston, as even when Aston really reveals his deepest vulnerability to him, Pleasence is terrific actually by making Davies's reaction so limited. This as this almost confusion of why the man would share such information, almost a disinterest as Pleasence reveals the secret of Davies, which that he's an entirely self-serving freeloader. I especially love the moment in which Davies's ramblings, which are usually false pleasantries, fake bake stories and general odd ego stroking, fall into threats. Pleasence rambles these off as he would any other, making them particularly cruel as Davies mentions he could have Aston returned to the electroshock, as though it is just a casual idea to him, and revealing just how little Aston's moment of vulnerability meant to him. This however making Davies's game becoming a bit more obvious as the manipulator, as he attempts to pit the brothers against one another for his benefit. There's a particularly simple scene in this regard where in the night Davies makes random noises while Aston is trying to sleep, again to be another manipulation. Pleasence is an amazing weasel as again he brings just such a casual earnestness in the self-serving suggestions, claiming an alternative job offer from Mick, even with the act having this fiendish intelligence revealed within his eyes as he makes his seemingly noises. Shaw is also great in this scene in portraying Aston's distaste finally with Davies's behavior, again through so little, that Shaw excels with in still conveying this disappointment in his eyes, rather than the eyes of interest and a hope for connection that we had seen before.

This eventually leading to the final confrontation of sorts as Davies duplicity perhaps gives a chance for connection for the brothers as Aston decides to evict Davies. Shaw does so much with so little in this scene as we are granted the one major interaction between the brothers, where Shaw finds a real poignancy in just the smallest sense of familiarity and affection he grants in the tiny glance between the brothers. This showing that perhaps Aston finally has found his connection with another person. This against his moment with Pleasence, where Shaw speaks volumes through his retiring manner, that distance himself as much as possible. This without uncaring deliveries, that are so notable, and make actually the sense of his earlier ones all the more. This now showing there's a truly detached Aston, from a sense of uncaring, rather than that early detachment in Aston due to his damaged mind, the two sides that Shaw flawlessly brings to life. Shaw says very little, but shows that Aston has no interest or purpose for Davies who abused his kindness. Pleasence offers one more magnificent scene, which is almost not necessary to say I suppose as Pleasence is outstanding every second he's onscreen here. I love what Pleasence does though as we have him again riffing through different terrible self-serving ideas, that are particularly obvious at this point, towards Aston to allow him to stay. As much as Pleasence does allow one to see just how despicable he is, he manages to find just the modicum of humanity in conveying a very real fear between each suggestion, of man with a very uncertain future. Both actors give downright brilliant performances. This is as each realizes a very tricky character, but grants a real sense to them and power to their existence. Shaw through a rather minimalist yet impactful turn of slowly revealing the truth of a broken, and Pleasence through a grand, yet nuanced and oh so complex portrayal of a broken man of an entirely different sort.

120 comments:

Anonymous said...

Sounds like an interesting film.

Louis: Your thoughts on the cinematography of Picnic at Hanging Rock and Gallipoli. Also, for that 90's Velvet Buzzsaw with Altman as director, how about Zsigmond as cinematographer?

Luke Higham said...

Yes, Happy for Pleasence to get five #2 and Shaw's now equal with Mason and Day-Lewis.

Louis: Rating and Thoughts on Alan Bates.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Your cast for a 2010s version.

Calvin Law said...

Praise the lords! They’re both amazing.

Like: I saw Timothy Spall and George MacKay as Davies and Mick onstage, respectively. Both were phenomenal so I’d suggest them as choices. Daniel Mays was Aston and while he was decent I wouldn’t say he stood out as well as Shaw. I’d probably go for Richard Armitage.

Luke Higham said...

Come on Burt and Gunnar, don't let me down.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Aside from The Untouchables, are there any other missed opportunities in Shaw's career, as well as posthumously.

Anonymous said...

Louis, thoughts on A Beautiful Day In The Neighborhood trailer.

Calvin Law said...

Hanks looks very promising.

Mitchell Murray said...

From what we we're given in the trailer, Hanks does seem to have Roger's cadence down, and really just that soft spoken earnesty the man's most famous for. Also, I didn't know until now that the film will be directed by Marielle Heller, which will probably help Hanks chances in the award season, but also suggests a certain caliber given her last movie. In any case, I'm quite interested in the picture now.

Brazilian Cinema said...

Will Toshiro Mifune fall from position? If so, then who will be Overall Rank # 1?

Emi Grant said...

I'm also really looking forward to A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood. Wasn't 100% sure on how Hanks would do but I'm truly sold now. I'm also somewhat interested in seeing how the actual plot develops around Mr. Rogers.

Louis Morgan said...

Anonymous:

Picnic at Hanging Rock has absolutely gorgeous cinematography by Russell Boyd, that is an essential facet in creating Weir's ethereal yet haunting and horrifying tone. This is as the film has an *almost* natural look about it. A beautiful look, but there is just something slightly too expressive about the lighting, that is brilliantly realized by Boyd as this creation of this sort of a broken nostalgia, that I love. I must not forget however the incredible shot framing and composition, that is this brilliant combination of the shots of serene, dreamlike majesty, with the shots as though the camera is an otherworldly watcher, which creates such an off-putting wonder to it all.

Gallipoli is also fantastic work, if more straight forward in terms of directorial intention. Boyd's work though is that of a magnificent epic worthy of mention with any other great epic. This as it makes use very much of its scale, with Boyd creating such grandeur, often also by creating sort of the focal points within a given shot. We know where the characters are, making all that is around them all the more impressive. This is combination with realizing just such grand set pieces with a powerful clarity, yet still with a consistent dynamic quality. It captures the scale without ever forgetting the needed intimacy.

Ideally sure, but Zsigmond hadn't worked with Altman for sometime at that point (who only worked with lesser known cinematographers later on in his career).

Luke:

I'd say Bates is supporting, really you could argue Shaw is as well, but the focus to me seemed more on Aston and Davies, with Mick being more of a catalyst.

I'll defer to Calvin's proven choices.

I wouldn't say it seemed Shaw missed too many opportunities while he was alive, given his casting as Quint was made possible the tax misfortunes of others. Obviously his whole shortened career though was a missed opportunity as it would be easy to see him in, The Silence of Lambs (or Manhunter) as Hannibal, as English Bob, as John Rooney in Road to Perdition, as Mortwell in Mona Lisa, or Eli Cross in The Stunt Man. Endless opportunities really, sadly.

Anonymous:

Looks downright wonderful, I'm also glad it seems like Hanks isn't overemphasizing the impersonation, offering more of an amalgamation of both his own and Rogers's affable charm. That is to say his performance looks like it has potential.

Lucas Saavedra said...

Louis: your thoughts on the screenplay of A Fish Called Wanda

Louis Morgan said...

Lucas Saavedra:

You'll find that here:

http://actoroscar.blogspot.com/2018/05/alternate-best-actor-1991-christopher.html

Bryan L. said...

Louis: If I recall, you mentioned before that you used to watch Letterman back in the day. With that in mind, your thoughts on his Taco Bell segments (if you've seen it)?

www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9HWijdrYfo

Emi Grant said...

Louis: Would you ever consider checking out Bo Burnham's comedy specials? He has two. One on YouTube called what. and Make Happy on Netflix.

Bryan L. said...

Louis: Also, would you consider Reynors' performance in Midsommar a disappointment? Because although he doesn't have much to work with, I thought the part did seem like it would've played well to his strengths as an actor. Like his work in What Richard Did, for example.

Lastly, your 2010s cast and director for The Wicker Man?

Louis Morgan said...

Emi Grant:

I'll certainly consider it.

Bryan:

No I don't believe I had, but pretty hilarious nonetheless.

Well yes, since other than his statutory rape card scene from Transformers 5, it's the worst thing he's done and is far cut below is typical efforts.

The Wickerman 2010's directed by Robert Eggers:

Sgt. Howie: Damian Lewis
Lord Summerisle: Mark Rylance
Willow: Sylvia Hoeks
Miss Rose: Samantha Morton
Liberian: Essie Davis

Anonymous said...

Louis: Thoughts on this scene from Seven Samurai.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GF5U83UIX1o

Calvin Law said...

By the way guys would definitely recommend Netflix’s When They See Us. Powerful story and direction, and Jharrel Jerome is incredible.

Bryan L. said...

Louis: Ratings and thoughts on the cast besides Ben Stiller in The Secret Life of Walter Mitty?

Robert MacFarlane said...

Random question: What is everyone's top 5 Stephen King adaptation performances? Mine would be:

1. Kathy Bates in Misery
2. River Phoenix in Stand by Me
3. Keith Gordon in Christine
4. James Caan in Misery
5. Tim Robbins in The Shawshank Redemption

Calvin Law said...

I’ll do top 10, top 5 is too hard:

1. Kathy Bates in Misery
2. Tim Robbins in The Shawshank Redemption
3. James Franco in 11.22.63
4. Sarah Gadon in 11.22.63
5. Anton Yelchin in Hearts in Atlantis
6. James Caan in Misery
7. Michael Clarke Duncan in The Green Mile
8. Kathy Bates in Dolores Claiborne
9. Sissy Spacek in Carrie
10. River Phoenix in Stand By Me

HM: Carla Gugino in Gerald’s Game, Morgan Freeman in The Shawshank Redemption, Tim Curry in It

Loads I hate to leave off.

Luke Higham said...

RIP Rutger Hauer

Matt Mustin said...

RIP Rutger Hauer, one of the great character actors.

BRAZINTERMA said...

What will be the overall rating of Hauer (The Hitcher) in 1986?

RatedRStar said...

RIP Rutger Hauer, wonderful actor

I predict he will get a 4.5, he is easily the best thing about that film. I think his best villainous performance aside from Blade Runner was in Nighthawks.

Bryan L. said...

RIP Rutger Hauer

Calvin Law said...

Fuck. RIP Rutger Hauer.

Mitchell Murray said...

RIP Mr. Hauer

Anonymous said...

Louis, along with Mifune and Olivier, would Robert Shaw be in your top 5 actors of all-time.

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Louis: Could I have your updated top ten male co-leada/duos in films?

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Aside from the annual New Year Oscar predictions, do you have anything special planned for the blog's 10 year anniversary.

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Louis: Could I have your cast and director for a non-musical biopic on the life of Alexander Hamilton? You can include the original Broadway cast members of the musical, if you want to.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Who would've been your choices to direct The King's Speech, Les Miserables and The Danish Girl.

Anonymous said...

Louis, your thoughts on this.
youtube.com/watch?v=Rnqx9RvswZs

Mitchell Murray said...

Everyone: Thoughts on the "Zombieland: Double Tap" trailer?

Calvin Law said...

Chuckled a bit at the ending gag. Rest of it looks incredibly bland.

Bryan L. said...

Luke: He gave his alternate director choices for The King's Speech in Riz Ahmeds' review for Four Lions.

As for The Danish Girl, I would've picked Nikolaj Arcel (with a better script and male lead), and for Les Miserables...hhmmm...maybe one of those Kings Speech choices as well?

Emi Grant said...

Mitchell: I wouldn't say it looks amazing, but it seems fun at least.

Emi Grant said...

Also, I got to watch Pedro Almodóvar's Dolor y Gloria and it's now my favorite film of this year. I believe it's a nice companion piece to Birdman and The Other Side of The Wind and while I don't necessarily want the "Best Actor at Cannes Review" to become an annual thing, I thoroughly believe Antonio Banderas is a must for the end of the year line-up.

Banderas: 4.5 (probably a 5 on re-watch)
Etxeandia: 4
Sbaraglia: 3.5
Cruz: 3

Louis Morgan said...

Saw Once Upon a Time in Hollywood, I definitely loved lots of it. I definitely did not love all of it, though I won't get into that now.

DiCaprio and Pitt are unquestionably co-leads to me.

Robbie - 3
Hirsch - 3
Qualley - 3.5
Olyphant - 3.5
Butler - 3
Fanning - 3
Dern - 3
Pacino - 3.5
Russell - 3
Bell - 2
Herriman - 3
Lewis - 3
Moh - 4
Hammond - 3.5/4

Emi Grant said...

I'm hoping most of the ratings are because of small screentime. Overall, Louis, where would it rank for you among the Tarantino films? (If you don't mind disclosing that now)

Bryan L. said...

"Bell - 2"

Hhmmm, it feels like Tarantino's ensembles always have at least one weak link for Louis.

Calvin Law said...

Bryan: that weak link usually being him lol. Doesn’t seem like he’s had a cameo in this one though.

Calvin Law said...

Seeing it on Sunday myself.

Louis Morgan said...

Anonymous:

The original introduction of a badass? Certainly one of the most memorable and likely influential in that regard. Such a fantastic way as it instantly establishes the stoic power of the character, so artfully directed by Kurosawa, particularly with the rather subtle use of slow motion at the end of the duel.

Bryan:

Penn - 3.5(Surprisingly charismatic here as he brings the right balance of a low key humor with a genuinely inspirational quality in his quietly affable delivery. This is actually rather bizarrely un-Penn like, as he suggests no ego, just this calm cool and real earnestness in his manner.)

Everyone else is bad comedy hammy unfortunately, which is one of the problems with the film.

Anonymous:

He's at the very least in my top ten.

Anonymous:

I'll give credit here, as I don't care for the typewriter gimmick in the score. This is a beautiful piece by itself at the very least with the swell being intertwined with the soldiers' chant rather beautifully.

Luke:

Les Miserables - (Well for lazy choices, I do think Rob Marshall and Bill Condon would've done a better job with the material. The same goes for Alan Parker (who seems retired but don't think has officially done so) who was attached when in was in development hell. But for a more creative choice, I'll go with the other guy who seems retired, Peter Weir. I'd love to see what Weir would've done with it.)

Danish Girl - (Don't make it with that script, Hooper exacerbated things, but he didn't ruin anything that wasn't already bad.)

Emi Grant:

Hard to say as I need more time to sit with it. I can say without hesitation that I loved the life of the fringe actor/stuntman material (outside of a few minor stylistic choices, mainly the narration which thankfully Tarantino doesn't deliver himself this time, but really he probably should stop using it), but again there's more, but I'll just leave it at that for the moment.

Also regarding the performances, out of those listed, I'll just say I wasn't disappointed in any of them (well other than Bell, but I didn't really have any expectations there) and could go higher with a few of them.

Bryan:

She once again just has an extremely awkward screen presence, she's less out of place here, but not by much.

Calvin Law said...

Louis: could I have your thoughts on the cast ? Unless you'd like to wait to mull over it.

Matt Mustin said...

Louis: Let's wait on the cast thoughts, maybe?

Calvin Law said...

Matt and Louis: Yeah, good idea actually. My bad.

Robert MacFarlane said...

I saw it too, and I’m very much on the pro-side of the movie. Liked it much more than Django or Hateful Eight. Could have cut 30 minutes, though. Loved DiCaprio and Pitt.

Calvin Law said...

How was the Sharon Tate/Manson and Bruce Lee side of things handled? No spoilers obviously because I’m sure people want to be surprised but those were my two concerns.

Louis Morgan said...

Calvin:

Bruce Lee is pretty much what you see in the trailer, will say no more.

Michael McCarthy said...

I just saw the film as well. My prediction for how the Manson murders storyline turned out to be true, which is actually a very good thing. Pitt and DiCaprio are comedic gold, I understand people wanting to wait but I think aside from those two there’s not much to spoil in terms of the performances of the cast.

Anonymous said...

DiCaprio/Pitt and Dafoe/Pattinson will be the 2 double reviews for Alternate Lead this year.

Bryan L. said...

Anonymous: Dafoe and Pattinson? Most likely. I think Dicaprio could/will be nominated for Lead and Pitt for Supporting though.


I saw the film as well. Quite liked it. 4.5/5.

Luke Higham said...

Bryan: I don't know, DiCaprio could suffer the Hanks effect and with Pitt, from Cannes onwards, he hasn't had the momentum that Waltz had with Inglourious Basterds. We'll see how they'll do at the Globes though.

Bryan L. said...

Luke: I think Pitt might be a bit more likely anyway, since I could see the Academy being like "Eh we already gave him one" when it comes to Leo. Afterglow nominations are more common a year or two after a win, and it's been awhile since The Revenant.

And I think Pitt in the film-wait nvm, I don't want to spoil anything.

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Louis: Could Clark Gable become your win for 1939 Lead?

RatedRStar said...

It comes out in the UK 3 weeks after the US, so annoying I want it NOWW lol.

Luke Higham said...

RatedRStar: Me too. :(

RatedRStar said...

I heard a story that OUATIH was getting campaigned for comedy at the Golden Globes,

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Louis: Could I have your Your thoughts on the original English opening to Dragon Ball Z, 'Rock the Dragon'?
https://youtu.be/R4vjJrGeh1c

Michael McCarthy said...

RatedRStar: Honestly, that’s exactly as it should be.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: I don't mind if you give thoughts on the supporting cast before I see it.

RatedRStar said...

Michael: Leonardo DiCaprio will surely win Comedy Actor at the Globes, I am expecting Pitt to go supporting even if it is category fraud.

Emi Grant said...

RatedRStar: Same thing in my country. I'm dying to watch it already.

Anonymous said...

Louis: At one point, Garbo's close friend Mercedes de Acosta wrote a script about Joan of Arc, in which Garbo would play the role, but it was scrapped because either MGM refused to film it or apparently, Garbo felt that the spirit of Joan was there while she and de Acosta, which made her change her mind about doing the film.

The director of The Passion of Joan of Arc also attempted to fund a film about Jesus, but it also never came to pass, although he did write a script.

Another interesting project I found out about is that Von Stroheim was to direct a film based on the opera comique La Dame Blanche with Renoir writing the script.

Thoughts on these never made projects?

Anonymous said...

*while she and de Acosta were discussing the script.

Calvin Law said...

Louis: could I have your thoughts on Rainer Bock in BCS.

Louis Morgan said...

I will say Once Upon a Time...is sitting well with me as I think on it I am appreciating it more for what it was, and less so what I hoped it would be. Still frustrating things in there, and I do think you could've cut at least 90% of the screentime of one of the characters, and it would've only benefited the film. Nonetheless probably is my favorite film of the year...though take that as you will given my reaction to most of the films I've seen this year.

RatedRStar:

I concur with Michael regarding its Golden Globes placement. I will say Pitt can probably swing the category fraud as it isn't a case of being in every scene or anything like that (that is to say there's far worse examples of category fraud the academy went for). DiCaprio could defer to Pitt, like he sorta did for The Departed, but I doubt it since Pitt also has Ad Astra, where he's sole lead, so I think they'll probably separate the two...probably.

Tahmeed:

That's an open year for me.

Well both the random images and the absurdly repetitive theme, aren't exactly my tempo. In fact found the latter pretty annoying.

Anonymous:

Well the first is a shame as Garbo in such a role could've been something rather incredible, losing out on both a potentially great Garbo turn and maybe an actually good sound Joan of Arc film.

Well given Dreyer's work with the Passion of Joan, and what he was able to capture within the idea of that character, one can only imagine what he might have been able to strike within the passion of Jesus.

Fascinating idea, not sure the year associated, but Von Stroheim was unable to really make it past his "failures" as a director into sound. Working with a Renoir script though could've potentially been sort of the work waiting for his talents as a director.

Calvin:

Bock - (He offers a nice bit of off-beat quality to his character while sort of conveying the right conviction in his manner. This though finding a certainty within the man's brilliance and even a warmth in his general personality however with the right touch naivety. He finds a nice chemistry with Banks in creating a sense of really mutual professionalism, however he's effective in slowly expanding on really the fault of that naivety. This naivety that he plays well as the idea of the man never quite getting the sense of really what it is that he's actually doing, or who he is working for until it is too late.)

RatedRStar said...

It will be interesting to see how Once Upon a Time does with the awards circuit, as The Hateful Eight despite winning the Oscar for Original Score, did poorly overall on the awards calendar, Kurt Russell was an Oscar frontrunner earlier on and that quickly vanished when it turned into the 2015 bloodbath.

RatedRStar said...

I have not looked more forward to a film this much since Silence back in 2016, I am desperate lol.

RatedRStar said...

Silence might have been my favorite film in this decade, its certainly up there.

Michael McCarthy said...

I think Us is still my favorite of 2019, but Once Upon a Time in Hollywood is at least a comfortable second.

Luke Higham said...

Michael: Your Acting Top 5s of 2019 so far.

Matt Mustin said...

My favourite of the year is still Endgame. Very easily, actually, although I havent' seen OUATIH yet.

Calvin Law said...

Louis: agree very much on Bock.

Your thoughts on this deleted scene from Endgame? https://youtu.be/IhuTJvZWFhA

Calvin Law said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Matt Mustin said...

Calvin: It me hard, but also, this year has just sucked.

RatedRStar said...

2019 has been awful for me in every single way except Video Games, been a great year for that, my job..which I am still at amazingly lol is almost interminable at this point.

Matt Mustin said...

Louis: What are your thoughts on the inclusion of the UFO in Fargo season 2?

Michael McCarthy said...

Lead Actress:

1. Lupita Nyong’o
2. Jessica Rothe
3. Charlize Theron
4. Florence Pugh (Midsommar)
5. Kaitlyn Dever

Lead Actor:

1. Brad Pitt
2. Leonardo DiCaprio
3. Taron Egerton
4. Jack Lowden
5. Zachary Levi

(Top 2 could very possibly switch)

Supporting Actress:

1. Scarlett Johansson
2. Billie Lourde
3. Amy Seimetz
4. Lashana Lynch
5. Naomi Scott

Supporting Actor:

1. Robert Downey, Jr.
2. Jeremy Renner
3. Evan Alex
4. Chris Evans
5. Winston Duke

Luke Higham said...

Michael: Could I have your ratings for the performances you've listed.

Bryan L. said...

Endgame is my #1 for now, although I could switch to OUATIH once that film fully sinks in for me.

Mitchell Murray said...

So I just saw "Once Upon A Time In Hollywood", and I'm willing to go on the record in saying I liked the film quite a bit. Specifically, it did deliver the kind of energetic, self referential humour promised by the trailer, along with the predicted array of Tarantino quirks. That includes its pacing which is pretty standard for Tarantino - Lengthy run time, with some slower sequences, but generally well structured as a whole. For myself, Tarantino also found the right balance in not only recreating the 60's era, but also the heightened absurdity and flamboyance of the pop culture at that time. Things are not all without fault, however; The aspect of the movie I was most worried about is indeed the one I'm questioning the most - Sharon Tate's story. I won't spoil it for anyone who hasn't seen the movie yet, but something just feels off with what Tarantino decides to change about her legacy. I'm not even pissed off about it, really...more "distanced" by his irresponsibility in the matter, which of course isn't a criticism specific to this one Tarantino movie. Aside from that narrative decision (Which I'll have to mull over for a little bit), and some minor nitpicks in editing, I still thoroughly enjoyed the picture as a whole. It is not my favourite Tarantino film, but I do feel its at least a very good one that I'm open to watching again.

DiCaprio - 5
Pitt - 4.5
Robbie - 3
Pacino - 3
Russell - 3
Olyphant - 3
Moh - 3.5
Lewis - 3
Qualley - 3
Perry - 3
Dern - 3
Hirsch - 2.5

Michael McCarthy said...

Luke:

5
Nyong’o
Downey

4.5/5
Pitt
DiCaprio

4.5
Rothe
Theron
Pugh
Dever
Egerton
Johansson
Lourde
Seimetz
Renner

4/4.5
Alex
Evans

4
Lowden
Levi
Lynch
Duke

3.5/4
Scott

Bryan L. said...

Louis: Speaking of Ad Astra, do you have any thoughts on the second trailer for that film? It looks pretty stunning, but I am a little worried that we're going to get bland Pitt here, which I hope I'm proven wrong about.

Anonymous said...

Louis: Your thoughts on Akiva Goldsman as a screenwriter.

Louis Morgan said...

Calvin:

A moving enough scene, that I understand why they cut since it would've felt repetitive with the funeral rundown. Though I'll say it did rob Cumberbatch of sort of a standout a moment, as he really conveys Strange's sense of responsibility for the death, though with a sense of understanding it as a necessity.

Matt:

Very much an all or nothing choice to delve into the supernatural/sci-fi, though connected to The Man Who Wasn't There as reference, though with slight precedence in the first season via the Magnolia moment. I loved though, as bonkers as it was, that frankly succeeds through the confidence in which Hawley uses it, and because of how great the season is. He earned the moment through sheer quality, and loved the idea of potentially the alien observers witnessing the worst of mankind.

Bryan:

Didn't watch it, and won't since I already intend to see the film. James Gray's pretty good with actors even often bland ones (e.g. Charlie Hunnam) so I'll stay optimistic regarding Pitt (who's miles better than Hunnam when he's keyed in).

Matt Mustin said...

I watched Nocturnal Animals against my better judgement. It was bad from the start just in terms of being a film but then it basically just turned out that the character was saying "You had an abortion without telling me so I'm gonna write something where you and our daughter get raped and murdered, because that's an appropriate metaphor" and that's just gross.

Mitchell Murray said...

Matt: It still baffles me why that vapid, confused, self absorbed, ill conceived, poorly written, overcooked mess of a film gained any notable measure of praise/traction by the awards circuits. Michael Shannon at least manages to come out with his dignity intact, but a deserved supporting actor nomination it is not.

Matt Mustin said...

Mitchell: Shannon is fine, the thing is, even if I liked the movie overall, I still don't think I'd see anything special about what he does, specifically.

Robert MacFarlane said...

I still sort of like Aaron Taylor-Johnson as redneck Logan Paul.

Matt Mustin said...

Robert: Me too.

Calvin Law said...

Honestly for the most part I don’t think acting is something I’d pick on Nocturnal Animals for, most of the cast did the best with what they had.

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Louis: Not sure if you've been asked this before, but could I have your thoughts on the screenplay, direction and editing of Hot Fuzz?

Mitchell Murray said...

Louis: In the same vein as Tahmeed's question, what are your thoughts on the "Do you see what happens, Larry.." scene from "The Big Lebowski"?

Anonymous said...

Luke, what year do you think will come next.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: I expect it to be a 2000s year and I hope it's '01. My anticipation for both Knight's Tale reviews are very high, I'm intrigued by Yelchin as Calvin rates his work with great esteem. Nicole Kidman in The Others, Spirited Away and three WWII TV dramas (Band Of Brothers, Conspiracy which I rewatched not long ago and Tucci gives his best work while Branagh & Firth were also really good and Anne Frank: The Whole Story where Ben Kingsley is superb as Otto).

Luke Higham said...

And Sean Bean getting a five for Fellowship.

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

I hope it's 2001 for the exact same reasons as Luke. I can't wait for Louis's reaction to Spirited Away.

ruthiehenshallfan99 said...

Rest in Peace, Russi Taylor.

ruthiehenshallfan99 said...

She's with her Mickey once more.

Emi Grant said...

R.I.P. Russi Taylor

RatedRStar said...

RIP Russi Taylor

Calvin Law said...

Okay, so I did think there was a lot of pointless filler in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood and some editing down would’ve worked wonders, but most of my worries about it ended up being unfounded and I really enjoyed it.

Pitt - 4.5 (verging on a 5 for the finale)
DiCaprio - 4.5
Robbie - 3
Hirsch - 3
Qualley - 4
Olyphant - 3.5
Butler - 3
Fanning - 3
Dern - 3
Pacino - 3
Russell - 3 (though I was not a fan of the narration)
Bell - 2.5 (distracting but not THAT bad)
Herriman - N/A (loved that QT didn’t give Manson any limelight)
Lewis - 3
Moh - 4
Hammond - 3.5
Whoever played that little girl - 4

Michael McCarthy said...

The child actress in OUATIH is named Julia Butters, for those wondering.

Anonymous said...

Luke, are there any performances that are close to being a sure thing in getting fives this year.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous:
RDJ - Endgame
DiCaprio/Pitt - OUATIH (One of them most certainly will and It'll probably be Pitt though DiCaprio got a five for The Revenant which was more polarizing than his performance here)
Dafoe/Pattinson - The Lighthouse

That's about it really. Phoenix in Joker is a maybe at this moment in time.

Matt Mustin said...

Luke: I think Evans has an outside chance for a 5 too, but I'm not gonna hold my breath on that.

Emi Grant said...

Louis: Thoughts on the trailer for Jojo Rabbit?

Mitchell Murray said...

Emi: It looks just as ridiculous, colourful, self aware and straight up bonkers as I would expect from Watiti... count me in.

Emi Grant said...

Mitchell: Oh, yeah. Really looking forward to Sam Rockwell's performance in particular.

Razor said...

I bet Thomasin McKenzie will be the MVP of that movie.

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Louis: Could I have your thoughts on the trailer to Makoto Shinkai's new film 'Weathering with You'?
https://youtu.be/Q6iK6DjV_iE

Matt Mustin said...

I watched The Dark Knight Rises again, because I felt like it, and this is gonna sound odd, but I think I'm gonna bump Bale up to a 4.5 just for that final nod he has at the very end. He says so much with just that one tiny look and it is a perfect end to everything he'd done before, throughout all three movies.

Calvin Law said...

Also, giving it some thought my top 5s for each category for 2019 so far:

Picture
1. Avengers: Endgame
2. Us
3. Parasite
4. Once Upon a Time in Hollywood
5. Rocketman

Director:
1. Bong Joon-ho
2. Jordan Peele
3. The Russos
4. Quentin Tarantino
5. Dexter Fletcher

Actor
1. Taron Egerton (5)
2. Brad Pitt (4.5/5)
3. Matthias Schoenaerts (4.5)
4. Leonardo DiCaprio
5. Tom Hanks (4)

Actress
1. Lupita Nyong’o (5)
2. Jessie Buckley (4.5)
3. Kaitlyn Dever
4. Florence Pugh (Fighting With My Family, 4)
5. Ali Wong

Supporting Actor
1. Robert Downey Jr. (5)
2. Chris Evans
3. Song Kang-ho (4.5)
4. Paul Rudd
5. Chris Hemsworth

Supporting Actress
1. Scarlett Johansson (4.5)
2. Karen Gillan (4)
3. Julie Walters
4. Naomi Scott
5. Park So-dam

John Smith said...

My Favorites:

1.Photograph
2.Midsommar
3.Climax
4.Us
5.Endgame

These are the movies im passionate about so far.

Louis Morgan said...

Will get to the longer thoughts on the next post.

Emi Grant:

Can't take too much from it, other than looks visually compelling, and he's already hilarious as cartoon Hitler. Although I know some are concerned regarding tone, however, I thought he balanced some rather dark material with overt comedy brilliantly in Boy, so I'm optimistic.

Tahmeed:

I mean beautiful animation, to be expected I suppose, though I couldn't take too much of the plot, but honestly that animation is enough for me to be interested.