Best Scene: Going to the window.
4. Christopher Plummer in Waterloo - Plummer gives the right degree of levity and grace to leave a strong impression as Napoleon's opponent, even if his co-star doesn't meet him halfway.
Best Scene: After the battle.
3. Bernard Cribbins in The Railway Children - Cribbins gives a wonderfully charming and funny portrayal that finds just the right tone for the material.
Best Scene: Surprise party.
2. David Warner in The Ballad of Cable Hogue - Warner, easily the best truly supporting turn of this lineup, that wonderfully plays with his usual dignified presence with great comedy as a shameless preacher.
Best Scene: "Consoling" the "widow"
1. Warren Oates in Barquero - Oates gives a great performance here delivering a surprising command in his presence, before slowly peeling that away to show the mad desperate man beneath it all.
Best Scene: Shooting the river.
Next: Unfinished business....(though recommendation period also starts, so please feel free to recommend a film from a year that I've already done, a film from 2020 or a documentary/animated film from any year).
84 comments:
Louis: With the amount ot time we have, could we get two recommendations. If allowed,
My primary recommendation is a re-watch of Mean Streets and my secondary would be a series recommendation of Blackadder 2-4.
Louis: Ratings and thoughts on the remaining Lead performances and any other supporting performances that receieved a 3.5 or higher.
Your updated Female top 10s.
And for the lineup:
James Mason in Odd Man Out
Carl Anderson in Jesus Christ Superstar
Paul Newman in The Sting
Robby Benson in Beauty And The Beast
Toshiro Mifune in The Bad Sleep Well
And reviews of Alastair Sim in An Inspector Calls and Kiefer Sutherland in Phone Booth.
Seeing that Hackman went down to 6th, has your view of his performance changed in anyway or is it a matter of Oates and Robards simply being better.
Nice. Sam Peckinpah has given two wins for best supporting actor in subsequent years if Borgnine keeps the victory.
My primary recommendation is a re-watch of The Remains Of The Day and my Secondary is Return To Oz (1985).
Luke:
Quickly, it was just a placement error, I had intended Robards to be above Hackman when I had updated lead, who is a 5 therefore I think is great automatically, and it becomes splitting hairs anyways.
I should note though "unfinished business" does not mean backlog vol. 2.
Louis: My Primary recommendation is a re-watch of True Grit (2010) and my secondary is Chicken Run (2000, which I really enjoyed lately)
If we have time for two recommendations each then mine are two Stop-Motion classics from 2009, Fantastic Mr. Fox and Mary and Max.
Louis: Do whatever you have to though hope to see some reviews along the way.
Also, since you posted your Director top 5s last year, can you post your original score top 5s this year.
Can I also have your thoughts on Kes and La Rupture.
Well, I'll recommend The Dark Horse (2014) or Cooley High (1975).
Also, your thoughts on Bill Burr, Richard Brake, Rosario Dawson and Temuera Morrison in the second season of the Mandalorian?
I would like to recommend The Act of Killing (documentary from 2012).
My recommendations are Early Summer (1951) and Late Autumn (1960).
Life Is Sweet (1991) and O Lucky Man (1973)
The Roger Corman Little Shop from 1960. Also, I don’t fully remember it, but I remember think School Ties from 1992 was a much better prep school movie than Dead Poets Society and Scent of a Woman.
If we’re doing two recs I might as well add in A Brighter Summer Day since I’m eager to see what you think of Edward Yang before you get to Yi Yi for 2000. It is a LONG film though.
I'm not thinking twice about my recommendation this year, which is Feels Good Man. I'm eager to hear your thoughts on that documentary.
If we're doing the two recs thing, I'm picking Maniac, the 2018 10 eps. miniseries, but only if you have time for it, Louis.
Also, watch Community. Just remember Season 2 Episode 14 “Advance Dungeons and Dragons” was pulled from Netflix, you’ll have to pirate that one (it’s a pretty important episode to the continuity).
I recommend checking out Boys State (2020), great documentary from last year. Also suggest They Shall Not Grow Old (2018 documentary from Peter Jackson) if you haven't seen it.
Aidan: He's seen They Shall Not Grow Old.
Louis: I didn't see him added in the winning requests, but mine was Patrick Huard for "Bon Cop, Bad Cop" (2006 Alternate Best Actor).
Luke: Well, just Boys State for a recommendation from me then. Do you (or anyone) know where I can find Louis' thoughts on They Shall Not Grow Old?
They Shall Not Grow Old more than anything is just a fascinating technical and restoration exercise. That is almost enough, however Jackson does weave it into a perhaps some too direct, yet still potent narrative of essential the story of a soldier. It is straight forward, yet well realized. I wouldn't say it was perhaps the definite use of that footage, but it certainly was well used footage.
My recommendations are Jarhead (2005) and The Spectacular Now (2013).
I suppose I should go along with this 2 recommendations idea and my picks are two animated films. The Black Cauldron (1985) and Ethel & Ernest (2016, a very moving look into the lives of the parents of Raymond Briggs)
Luke, any guesses as to what Louis means by “unfinished business”?
Anonymous: Reviews of some kind I hope, he might be holding off on the backlog for awhile longer.
Anonymous: To me it sounds as if Louis is going to avenge someone by storming an evil cartel boss' lair and shooting up all their goons before he kills the boss on his own, but yeah, it's probably a review of sorts.
Film Recommendation: Persepolis (2007)
Series Recommendation: Erased (a 12 episode anime, if you have time for it)
Robert: Advanced Dungeons and Dragons is probably my favourite episode of Community. Season 2 is quite easily one of the best seasons of TV I've ever watched.
Louis: Who do you think was the better Mark Antony, Brando or Heston.
from 2007: 99 Francs; i like Jean Dujardin's performance, but i am guessing that you might really not like that film's directing style
Also, you might probably watch Good Will Hunting again anyway when you do 97 again, but anyway:
While i agree that Robin Williams is not really good at mixing the different sides of his character, a 2 has always been a bit too low for my taste. is there any chance left he might go up? That park bench scene alone makes me want it higher ...
Tim: It has to be films from years he's already completed in the bonus rounds or TV, Documentary or Animated films from any year.
Luke:
Well we'll see how far I get, obviously first then second, and for the Blackadder request, it would be just series 2 for starters anyways.
Cassel - 4(It must be said his he and his son look almost exactly alike, additionally he really has the same type of presence. Cassel here though is quite good in portraying sort of this charm mixed in with sleaze, as the supportive "best friend"/"other man" who is in fact a con man the whole time. Cassel is comical in the sort of manner of attempted cunning while his plans are all actually pretty dumb. It is a proper mess of a display of really a fool who has no idea really whatsoever that he is doing.)
Bradley - 4(A strong child turn to be sure, and decidedly atypical. This as he is rough around the edges as the boy and his pet sort of story goes, and his manner is that of a boy from a rough existence. He delivers this well as much as also the sense of sort of doggedness within the character's attempts to help the bird. This though in portraying those moments as key as these times of sort of solace within the world that seems to be so often cruel against him.)
Piccoli - 4(A fine performance to be sure in just creating a necessary sense of the state of man, between each of the sort of analysis the film portrays.)
Yanne - 3.5(Essentially Chabrol's version of the Lodger, this as it isn't a mystery rather we know the killer quite obviously the whole time. Yanne is effective though in bringing enough of a low key charm in his early moments, though against always having this certain underlying intensity that becomes more intense when speaking of his war experiences.)
Bouquet - 4(Quite effectively horrible though in a very particular way. This in presenting sort of this fatherly calm and grace, even as everything his character does is terrible in some way. Bouquet effectively showing this insistent emotion within the man that creates an understanding of what compels the man in each step of his strange plan.)
Welland - 4(I suppose his BAFTA win for this explains why he lost for his screenplay for Chariots there. Anyways, Welland is good as basically the only not largely hostile adult within the film and provides a needed fresh air. I like his work though in that he still brings a certain stern quality within his manner as a teacher, but just showing a man doing a good job at it. This as he combines it with this quietly articulated moments of passion in showing a keen interest in the boy's actual interest with his bird keeping.)
Ghosh, Chatterjees, Bhanja - 3.5(Although the film I felt slightly unwieldy in its method, I think all give good naturalistic performances here. Each presenting the different sides of experiencing their vacation within it their sort of differing values. They are particularly good in portraying the sort of friendship between all the men with the genuine affection, and affectionate ribbing throughout.)
Gianni - 3.5(Makes for a largely amusing dummy basically in his manner throughout. This even in his manner of stealing the girl, he portrays it with basically a senselessness as though the poor man just doesn't know any better.)
Zushi - 3.5(Effective portrayal of the distinct character, that is remarkable in that it doesn't really feel aged as these characters often can be. Limited role overall, but works in creating this endearing consistency of someone in the film who has some strict sense of purpose, even if imaginary.)
Palance - 3.5(Kept expecting him to betray Marvin at any moment, making it quite something to see him portraying just a overall good guy, and Palance delivers this. This particularly in his last scene where he brings a nice bit of tragedy in the character's insistence on handling a situation a certain way.)
Ban - 3.5(Whole cast does do a fine job honestly, but his again is good in creating the state of desperation without overdoing it at any point.)
Actress:
1. Sophia Loren - Sunflower - 4.5
2. Sarah Miles - Ryan's Daughter
3. Shirley Stoler - The Honeymoon Killers - 4.5
4. Carrie Snodgress - Diary of a Mad Housewife - 4.5
5. Faye Dunaway - Puzzle of a Downfall Child - 4.5
6. Stephane Audran - La Rupture - 4
7. Claude Jane - Bed and Board - 4
8. Sinead Cusack - Hoffman - 4
9. Jaroslava Schallerova - Valerie and Her Week of Wonders - 4
10. Stephane Audran - Le Boucher
Supporting Actress:
1. Karen Black - Five Easy Pieces
2. Irina Kupchenko - Uncle Vanya - 4.5
3. Dominique Sanda - First Love - 4.5
4. Lee Grant - Landlord - 4
5. Simone Signoret - The Confession - 4
6. Stella Stevens - The Ballad of Cable Hogue
7. Faye Dunaway - Little Big Man
8. Rachel Roberts - Reckoning
9. Anita Pallenberg - Performance - 4
10. Catherine Rouvel - La Rupture - 4
Well...it's funny that you should mention that about a score list...
Kes - (I liked Kes which in a way is an answer to my criticism of some of Loach's later work. This as his depiction of poor people as miserable ALL the time, coming off as actually rather patronizing. Kes though finds the actual balance, where it does depict effectively the hardship of the boy's life, but with moments of reprieve. This creating a balance, that is still tragedy, but not to the point that it overwhelms the story to the point of becoming doldrums.)
La Rupture - (It goes a little bit off the deep end near the end, but even that I still mostly liked. This in creating a rather fascinating more unorthodox thriller, that begins in a way you don't expect and just continues on that strange rhythm. A rhythm I quite enjoyed as we have the core of sympathy in Audran, than the comedy in Cassel's wholly reprehensible schemer who comes in to ruin things for her.)
Razor:
Burr - (Although I didn't have the issues some had with him in the first season, this was a whole different thing, and in a way his performance suggested to me what is too often missing within the show. This being real emotional stakes which he delivers here. This certainly within the actin sequence, in portraying well as the less calm foil to titular character. Burr is easy season MVP, in his silent reaction in pertaining to the character's past. Burr simply is another level from the rest of the cast, this as he expresses a real history in the silence, surprisingly poignant work from him.)
Brake - (Brake being the scene partner for Burr in that scene, and excelling as he does in a few minutes of screentime. Here just bringing such a potent sleaze and calm in his amorality in describing his past exploits with such a deep comfort and enjoyment. A remarkable bit of evil that I wish honestly lasted longer.)
Dawson - (Although the character didn't mean much to be me overall, Dawson definitely delivers on basically an audition for a possible leading turn. This in just offering the right combination of emotional intensity with stoicism. It is an effective blend that she makes the right impact with, and honestly makes the character convincing in life action.)
Morrison - (There isn't too much of him really, particularly not of actual Morrison. Still he does the need hardened badass well in every moment he does have. This just offering the presence to make the return of the character effective, which it is.)
Anonymous:
They're honestly on an even keel for me, both make a tremendous impact and have their own voices in the part, Heston slightly more heroic Brando a bit more manipulative. Both terrific though. Both other advantages as Brando is in the better film, but Heston potentially stands out more because his film is worse around him.
Oh my god, sorry guys if I may have spoiled the surprise.
Louis: Your thoughts on Audran's turns, Rouvel and Dunaway.
Luke: yeah, that's what i thought actually ...
Whatever, it can still be on the backburn
Louis: If you had to make a top 10 list of most frustrating actors, would you put Paul Muni and Rod Steiger in that list? I mean, they had a lot of talent, but boy they sure loved to ham it up and not in a good way.
Louis: Since Babylon has been postponed until 2022, is there any post-February film you’d like to substitute it for on your 2021 Most Anticipated list?
Can I ask actually, what films are competing for the Oscars that are technically coming out in 2021?
Anonymous:
Supernova
Judas And The Black Messiah
The United States Vs. Billie Holliday
Cherry
I can't wait to see Louis finally like a Rowan Atkinson performance.
Luke, I might start watching Blackadder too. In what order should I view it.
Anonymous: 2, 3, 4, 1 (I put 1 last because it would give some the wrong impression for the other seasons if seen first and I see it as a more curious, ambitious failure)
The Specials are rather entertaining too, the Christmas episode in particular.
Louis - have u seen Borat Subsequent moviefilm yet?
Little update: I started watching "FullMetal Alchemist" this afternoon...and I'm already 10 episodes into the show.
Mitchell: Oh shit, you already got to Nina, huh?
Robert: Yah...and that was kind of f**ked up, I'm not gonna lie.
Louis: What do you reckon to this very brief scene from this great movie? I always feel so attached to this scene every time I watch the film.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ehFaq3oY3gg
Blackadder Season 2 is good, don't get me wrong, but I do think 3 is where it properly begins to be a classic, and 4 is one of the GOAT seasons ever.
Also I rewatched The Sound of Metal yesterday and I have to say, I actually think this year's Best Actor lineup is probably superior to last year's.
RatedRStar: I guess I should mention, in regards to that clip, that I also watched the first season of "Shameless" not too long ago.
I like the season as a whole, but it's definitely one of those shows that, quote, "takes you for a ride": It's not something that you can easily go in/out of, and I'm therefor hesitant to really dive into the series. The acting is very good though (Rossum MVP, and Macy's not far off).
Calvin: You have to admit though, Season 2 had the best outros.
Though the Season 4 finale was extraordinary.
Mitchell:Are you watching the sun of FMA OR the sub?
Matt: If your asking about the English subtitles or English dub, I'm watching the former just like every Anime I've sought out.
I generally prefer the sub anyways. One of the only exceptions is sadly a scene that's been spoiled for me - "United States of Smash".
Luke:
Audran - (Both turns are similar actually just in overall approach as she takes a somewhat passive manner, however both are effective in this. In La Rupture even more so though in portraying the state of trying to maintain a sane and strong face within adversity. This while so effectively portraying her very real anxieties of the situation and her history at the same time. She's particularly good in portraying as well the sort of quiet solitude of reacting to the family sabotaging her with worry but also almost a good humor towards the schemes against her. In the other she's good in just portraying the quiet realization of the situation. This beforehand portraying just the right sort of quiet concern towards the murders but charm within the understated relationship.)
Rouvel - (An effective scene partner for Cassel in just playing up the mutual sleaziness of the two. Her performance though playing hard into the debauchery of the character. Her lustfulness though so well portrayed with this playfulness in her devious manner and the very sexual kick she gets from getting in on with her boyfriend's schemes.)
Dunaway - (The film is more than a mess, but Dunaway is terrific in her role. This in just portraying the slow degradation of the character throughout essentially each traumatic situation and in reflection of that mental state from a different kind of difficult position. She very potently realizes each emotional extreme with the right empathetic quality within the degradation of the character through the abusive world/relationships she partakes in seemingly. It is a very effective turn even as the film is rather aimless at times.)
Anonymous:
1. Sean Penn
2. Forest Whitaker
3. Marlon Brando
4. Mickey Rourke - (For a different reason from the rest)
5. Paul Muni
6. Johnny Depp
7. Robert De Niro
8. Robert Downey Jr.
9. Rod Steiger
10. John Travolta
Steiger and Whitaker actually I think both specifically got the "I can do no wrong" over the top problem from their Oscar wins, as all their best performances are pre their wins.
Anonymous:
Just watched it actually.
RatedRStar:
The scene that for me earns the inclusion of Donnie's story though in a way summing up loneliness in a different poignant way of trying to share one's ability to love. What I actually take most from the scene though is Reilly's wonderfully empathetic reaction in the moment.
Louis: thoughts on the film as a whole? I did enjoy it a great deal though I'd actually say the most heartfelt moments were my favourite moments. And thoughts/ratings for the two principals.
Ooh! Thoughts on Borat and ratings/thoughts on the cast?
Also with the way early reactions for Malcolm and Marie are coming out, I do think we could see some traction for their performances. Maybe the film as a whole but we'll see (it doesn't seem at all the kind of film they'd nominate but stranger things have happened). I will admit I'm definitely way more nervous about the race than I was in earlier weeks but we'll see...
The malcolm and marie trailer looks Horrible and film twitter has exploded. Whats new
Anonymous: It does seem like a kind of Film Twitter film but I wouldn't discount the Academy from trying something new.
I will admit though that, this is the first year I've started actively checking out Film Twitter during awards season and it is very draining to sort through everything on there.
I didn't think the trailer looked great either but I'm going in with an open mind.
-Play (2011)
-Eat, Sleep, Die (2010)
-Ugly (2014)
-Kaminey (2009)
-Omkara (2006)
-Swades (2004)
-Hey Ram (2000)
-Rockstar(2011)
-Tamasha (2015)
-Photograph (2019)
Im thinking unfinished business means requests from years that have already been covered.
I think Matt's nailed it. Paul Dano for Ruby Sparks incoming!
Louis: If you do see Mary and Max, can you do a write-up on Philip Seymour Hoffman if he really stood out to you.
Hoffman's vocal work definitely hits particularly hard in light of his passing.
And if the Backlog is coming soon, you may want to review Cliff Curtis in The Dark Horse, I've seen nothing but high praise for him there.
Luke, Regarding 79, I wouldn't worry too much about requesting Winstone because I've discovered that Christ Stopped At Eboli was actually first shown on Italian Television in 4 parts.
Then had a theatrical release outside of Italy.
Anonymous: Well that's a relief but I still need to be somewhat cautious though.
Louis: your rating and thoughts on Schneider in Les Choses de la Vie?
My recommendations would be L’Avventura (1960) and Barbara (2012).
Louis, do the best you can over the next 2 months but try and get all the film recommendations out of the way first if you can.
Anonymous: I don't mind if he at least gets the first 3 episodes of Blackadder 2 done if the Film recs are of greater priority.
Omar: I'm sure Louis and Calvin will be pleased as punch to see a Petzold/Hoss collaboration again. :)
Also, with the series recommendations, you can easily finish off those during the 2020 reviews when there's very little (Saint Maud and Mulan) I'd ask him to watch.
Louis: Thoughts on Biehn in The Mandalorian?
Louis: Thoughts on the Billie Holliday trailer.
Calvin & Anonymous:
The film I enjoyed, though I'd say I got more out of a lot of his smaller scale bits than his attempted big ones, which felt like Cohen probably didn't exactly get the footage he needed as they were particularly heavily edited. I think what was most impressive was the style actually managed to realize the emotional quality of the honestly, oddly, affecting arc of Borat and his daughter. That entirely worked, and was easily the most impressive element given how so many scenes came from interaction with the "non complicit" supporting players.
Cohen - 4(I'll be relatively brief as I believe there's hope for him to get reviewed for 06 for his Golden Globe winning turn. This I'll say though is a fine reprise, and particularly remarkable for his strong chemistry with Bakalova in both a comedic and actual emotional sense at times. The two of them worked wonderfully together.)
Bakalova - 4.5(First I'll say I do think she absolutely should qualify given that in fact a lot of her scenes were dependent on her getting it right the first time in order to cultivate the reactions. She didn't need to be convincing to us watching the film but also those right in the moment. Secondly though I do think she is co-lead with Cohen, I'd say she's less lead than Cohen so to speak but still lead since she has plenty of moments away from him. Beyond that though this is just terrific performance on its own terms. This is particularly likely her great comedic skill, particularly in likely improvisational moments. She so throws herself into every bit to match, and go even beyond Cohen in every individual bit of the sort of insanity of her manner. Her performance though actually goes a bit further though in that her sort of eccentricity naturally changes throughout the film. This is presenting really a greater confidence in the comic madness of her work, from the meeker side at first. Each though having their own distinct character and comedic value in her performance, from the manner of the mail order bride, to the rather unscrupulous reporter. Although I think there is a lot of love to give out in the supporting actress category, and it should be spread out beyond her, she certainly is deserving of a portion of it.)
Love that Cohen might be reviewed for the first Borat, I'd give him a 4.5 for it.
Regarding the Malcolm and Marie trailer, I don't think that's going to amount to anything Oscar wise, particularly because Netflix is already overstuffed with contenders, in lead actor particularly with Lindo, Boseman and Oldman there already. I also wasn't taken by the trailer, found it a little grating, but hope it works in context.
Omar:
Schneider - 4(I liked the performance to be sure in creating really the emotional context within the central relationship. This very much of it said between the lines so to speak, but I found her work quite effective and particularly affecting later on. This most notable in her later scenes where she makes a remarkable impact at times.)
Anonymous:
Just wasted beyond belief. Such a lame role as basically "henchmen" and mostly just needs to stand around. He eventually has a little bit of a speech at the end, which you get a hint of the old Biehn swagger, but sadly not enough, and then he's gone.
Luke:
Ehh in Daniels I don't trust, this as the film seems to have the exact same slightly overdone "importance" aesthetic of The Butler, hopefully there is a better screenplay behind that though. From this, and the sudden Hulu acquisition I don't have the highest hopes sadly, as the story has a lot of potential. Day's performance looks like it might have some potential though at least.
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