Sunday 26 June 2022

Alternate Best Actor 1979: George C. Scott in Hardcore

George C. Scott did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Jake Van Dorn in Hardcore. 

Hardcore follows a devout Midwesterner who goes in search of his daughter in California after she appears in a pornographic film. 
 
This film marks the second film written and directed by Paul Schrader after his excellent debut in Blue Collar. It is once again working within the same starting point, as Schrader starts in almost every one of his films written or directed, that is a man on some kind of edge, usually inhabiting a world in some kind of fringe. Although this film isn't nearly as effective as that film, a bit of a mixed bag overall, particularly with some of the "action" scenes but certainly with some intensely effective emotional moments. The film opens though with a snowy Michigan with a quiet seemingly peaceful religious life. Scott is barely even particularly present in these moments as basically just a quiet father figure, not even exactly stern as the man keeps his distance from his daughter who soon disappears on a religious school trip. The most we get with Scott is the man handling his business with a certain cordiality but a hard line in terms of what it is that he wants and doesn't want with his company. A lot of what makes the character have a presence in these scenes is just Scott himself being such a strong presence innately within himself. We get him though as this kind of hard rock of a man who then the film is going to challenge, the first challenge being when a sleazy Private detective (Peter Boyle) hired by him brings Jake some evidence of his daughter, that being a low rent pornographic film staring her. A great scene for Scott in his reaction to the film as you see the striking different emotions of initial disbelief, then heartbreak then intense anger that all flash against his face. 

We then follow him as he goes about infiltrating the world of the sex trade Scott's performance is basically these different mixtures of this outsider experiencing this. Scott is quite effective in managing to modulate between the states of the character. There are moments of intense anger of course that are these pent-up snaps well performed as the innate reaction of the man towards the world. This amidst moments of trying to infiltrate it as some wannabe producer which Scott brings the right awkwardness to in each scene never quite hiding his true nature all that well as he either is just barely hiding his disgust or anger towards the various people he comes across in his intense search. Eventually, this changes slightly when he meets a prostitute Nikki, who offers some kind of help to him, while also offering a more human expression within this world that feels so alien. This is an aspect that I don't think quite hits the sweet spot in terms of its realization of it though the general idea is a good one. Scott is effective though for his part in portraying many steadfast aspects of Jake as he states all his beliefs regarding his religion and against sex with this certain strict certainty in his delivery. This is against his moments of interacting with Nikki on a slightly more human level where Scott brings these excellent glints of a momentary empathy though he never seems to fully embrace Nikki as a person in her own right
 
The last act of the film is Jake getting closer to his daughter as he explores the even more extreme fringes of a fringe world. This has some truly pointed moments in there where Scott shows the intensity of the unnerving qualities as he seems to find a snuff film, and more expectedly I think brings the powerful sense of bluntness in the character's conviction to find his daughter. What is unique though is that Scott never feels the avenging angel for a moment, and there is always a greater kind of messiness with it, even a sense of coldness about it that suggests what maybe made her leave to begin with. Scott shows this measured man in conflict with himself in every scene of letting the emotions of a given moment only out carefully most of the time either because Jake is hiding essentially undercover, but just as often because that is the nature of Jake as a man. Scott earns the final moment of meeting his daughter again, who blames him for being loveless. This is an uneven scene because the actress as his daughter is pretty terrible. Scott though is excellent in the way he shows the struggle for Jake to show his genuine emotions to this daughter, the strain of it is wearing on him, but also the force within himself to show it all in attempt to connect with her. Scott is powerful in the scene because he shows that every tear is being forced out, not as an unnatural act, but rather the man fighting against his nature to bluntly show his love finally.

77 comments:

Shaggy Rogers said...

WOW! I swore I expected to see the first 5 of 1979. Shocked.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Ratings and thoughts on the cast.

Bryan L. said...

Luke: Regarding Elvis, it's yet another music biopic that you could add to the "Ray/Walk The Line/Bohemian Rhapsody" bin. Luhrmann adds a whole lot of flash (as usual), yet not much substance. The film doesn't tell you anything new about Elvis, and, in fact, it doesn't even really seem interested in him in the first place.

I guess filmmakers really haven't learned from Walk Hard.

Butler is quite good though.

Tony Kim said...

Didn't have much interest in seeing Top Gun: Maverick - I hadn't watched any movies in a while, hadn't seen the first Top Gun, and nothing in particular about this sequel appealed to me. I ended up seeing it on the big screen with some family members yesterday, however, and I'm glad I did. This is easily the most visually dynamic blockbuster I've seen in years, and can't imagine enjoying it anywhere near as much on a TV or computer screen. As pure popcorn entertainment it delivered surprisingly well.

If pushed to make a semi-interesting critique, I could point out that the commentary about aging and legacy that lends the film much of its emotional core is mostly forgotten later on to make room for more action scenes, but in the occasions that the film focuses on these themes, it is surprisingly melancholy and effective.

There are other critiques to make about it - script is fairly predictable "America #1" schmaltz, the love interest is just unnecessary (despite how well Jennifer Connelly plays her), and Miles Teller still kind of alienates me as an actor - but the technical craftsmanship here is something to behold. The editing is kinetic without ever feeling assaultive, and there's a welcome attention to texture in the cinematography. Enjoyed the soundtrack too, the uses of Bowie and The Who being highlights. Kosinski's direction here was good enough for me to get me interested in checking out his previous work. I have to admit I'm coming around a little on the film's Best Picture chances.

Side note: Was anyone else annoyed by how the film seemed to be setting up Ed Harris as the big villain... only for him to completely vanish after 2 scenes?

Cruise - 2 or so on an acting level, 4 or higher on a movie-star charisma level. I still think Cruise at this stage of his career feels a bit like a dead-eyed android imitating human emotion; I was more moved by Kilmer in their scene together. But I can't see anyone but him in this role, and I can't imagine this movie working without his unique presence.

Jon Hamm, Miles Teller, Monica Barbaro, Lewis Pullman - 2.5. If it feels like I'm underrating them, this rating means "okay" rather than "subpar" in my book.

Val Kilmer - 3.5

Glen Powell, Jennifer Connelly, everyone else - 3. Connelly adds some worldliness to an underwritten part. Powell didn't make an impression on me in Hidden Figures and TDKR, but I was impressed by his charisma here.

Marcus said...

Louis: What are some of the most surprising performances you've seen from actors you love? (in a good way, like 'I didn't know they had that in them' like Hopkins in The Father).

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Marcus: I think Scarecrow and The Irishman qualify for Pacino. He's the GOAT to me, but to see him be so charismatic in the former (to devastating effect) was something I hadn't seen from him. As for the latter, while it does fall into his wheelhouse of playing brash authority figures, the amount of warmth and vulnerability he brought really humanized Hoffa greatly (please give him the win for 2019, Louis).

8000S said...

Louis: Your thoughts on the voices of Marcia Gay Harden, Kirsten Dunst, Liv Tyler, Dolly Parton, Illeana Douglas, Anne Baxter and Marie Windsor.

8000S said...

Louis: Also, who would be the rest of your cast for a 50's Tokyo Confidential with Kurosawa directing and Mifune as Bud White?

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Louis: Your thoughts on these following scenes from the 2005 Pride and Prejudice?

Confession/argument in the rain
Meeting at dawn
Mr Bennet gives his approval (love Sutherland's performance in that scene especially)

Perfectionist said...

Marcus: Joaquin Phoenix in C'mon C'mon would be one I feel. It more has to do with the nature of the performance than it being career best. I knew he could do understated, but even then that performance had so much warmth!!! Really powerful stuff. Was super glad to see this being his first post Oscar performance because I thought he left that unhinged stuff behind. A bit disappointed that he is going back to that overdramatic Joker thing again. I personally don't want to see that.

Ytrewq Wertyq said...

Louis: your thoughts on the "Pass the asparagus" scene from American Beauty?

Tim said...

Ytrewq: He's done so already

"For me, this is kind of what I hate about the film, this as it's certainly quite loud but I don't think particularly pointed. I actually do like Spacey's performance because I do think there is some nuance there, but still the whole tone is just overwrought. Kind of trying to be funny in a satirical way, while also being dramatic, and I don't think it really works as either."

Louis Morgan said...

Luke:

Hubley - 3.5(She has good moments, but also very stiff moments too. Thought her work was a mixed bag that was emblematic from that element that I think was more potent than sadly was realized. She and Scott do have some very honest moments in there that are powerful, however that is in between moments where it seems like her performance and the writing is in search of the right idea.)

Boyle - 3(Thought he was appropriately sleazy in the part, but also thought he occasionally overdid this note just a bit.)

Davis - 1(Just not a good performance, as limited as it is. Her key moments though are just poorly performed with just an intense awkwardness about them, and a lack of any authenticity in the emotion presented. Although the role would've been limited no matter what, a different performer could've made a substantial impact.)

Marcus:

Well to instantly dash Tahmeed's hopes, though intentionally, Joe Pesci in the Irishman for his powerfully subdued work.

John Hurt - The Hit (Although always knew he could do menace, but the surprising physical menace here was surprising.)

Ralph Fiennes - The Grand Budapest Hotel (For the particular whimsical fun).

Christopher Lloyd - Twenty Bucks (For the particular slick cool.)

Kyle MacLachlan - Twin Peaks: The Return (Even with the original Twin Peaks, one would say he could be an alternate Anton Chigurh would be laughable to most if not all, however his work as Dopplecooper would've proved most if not all wrong.)

8000's:

Harden - (She's one where her voice doesn't instantly recall anything, and in a way just kind of average, not in a bad way.)

Dunst - (Kind of a naturally sweet tone about her so interesting when used to the opposite effect.)

Tyler - (Kind of that heightened nasally quality that I'm not sure is always ideal for a range of roles. Dakota Johnson's voice is very similar.)

Parton - (I mean southern hospitality emphasized in a singular voice.)

Douglas - (A authentically honest voice in the purest sense.)

Baxter - (Fascinating sort of harshness about her voice that is innately more forceful and deep than was sort of the standard of the time.)

Windsor - (Very earthy in a time where that wasn't really the norm.)

Luke Higham said...

Louis: From what you've seen, is a supporting lineup likely because 2 of my suggestions are gone already.

Luke Higham said...

Aside from Reed and Warner.

Louis Morgan said...

8000's:

Exley: Masayuki Mori
Captain Smith: Takashi Shimura
Vincennes: Susumu Fujita
Bracken: Machiko Kyo
Hudgens: Daisuke Kato
Patchett: Minoru Chiaki

Tahmeed:

I mean the rain sequence you can see once again just how downright brilliant MacFadyen is in showing how challenging really Darcy can be as truthful as possible to the book, this being the charismatic leading man, who is withdrawn if not taciturn. MacFadyen showing the key in playing so many layers in the moment of managing to be seemingly cold, cutting, loving, caring, all in the same conflicting frame, which is most impressive. Managing to show both why Elizabeth rejects just as he shows his appeal.

Meeting at Dawn is defined by absolutely stunning cinematography, and Wright, who I am typically not a big fan of overall as a director, keenly realizes the moment so beautifully and tangibly visibly. To the point I ponder what exactly can be done for him to achieve what he did here once again. MacFadyen though I suppose again needs to be noted for how much nuance he brings even in the most seemingly straight forward romantic note, as he does so even here, his Darcy is never a simple man.

The scene works on Sutherland's warmth that is splendid, and really the simple choice of just focusing on that interaction. And yes I have consistently not mentioned Knightley, who while I don't hate the performance, her certain tendencies always keep me at an arms length despite liking almost everything around her.

Ytrewq Wertyq said...

Louis: Would Lloyd's performance in I Am Not A Serial Killer belong on that list as well?

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Louis: It's funny that Pride and Prejudice is the only Knightley performance I've ever loved, for the exact reason you dislike it. She's definitely mannered and it's within her niche, but I think everything she does works perfectly for Elizabeth.

Anonymous said...

Louis: Will McDowell have dual analysis with Caligula and Time After Time?

Louis Morgan said...

Ytrewq:

No, because even though it is a VERY different role in terms of overall tone, the darkest moments of his work as Judge Doom suggested he was capable of that sort of thing.

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Anonymous: He never confirms stuff like that before the review.

Louis Morgan said...

Editorial correction: "Well to instantly dash Tahmeed's hopes, though *not* intentionally, Joe Pesci in the Irishman for his powerfully subdued work."

Lucas Saavedra said...

Louis: your ratings and thoughts on the rest of the cast of The Jerk?

Matt Mustin said...

Honestly guys, is McDowell even good enough in Caligula to justify watching it?

Anonymous said...

You couldn't pay me to watch Caligula. Godspeed Louis.

Luke Higham said...

This maybe the one time for any film where I would ask him to skip the unnecessary garbage put in by Bob Guccione and focus only on McDowell's work which is quite terrific on its own merits.

Ytrewq Wertyq said...

Matt: Haven't watched it myself, though considering that said performance was in fact the original one to be requested (before it got switched to the one in Time After Time), I'm sure it will be something. Well, at least compared to the ocean of badness surrounding the titular role.

Luke Higham said...

And yes I had the misfortune of watching it and I know Calvin has as well.

Anonymous said...

Luke, If one were to attempt Caligula, are there any scenes that you would recommend avoiding.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: Well I only saw it once and it was back in 13/14 but from what I recall there's a castration scene about 2 hours in involving Caligula and a pair of dogs which put me off and there's a large-scale orgy scene where much of the Guccione footage was put in. I really didn't need close up edits of unsimulated sex acts every 5-10 seconds.

8000S said...

It's going to be interesting what Louis will think of Donatas Banionis in Solaris since he's actually dubbed over by a Russian actor in that.

When we get to 1972, I also expect Thulin to win Best Supporting Actress for Cries and Whispers, although she also has some strong competition from Ullmann.

Matt Mustin said...

First season of The Americans is absolutely incredible. I look forward to the rest of this journey. Matthew Rhys is extraordinary and if he stays this good the whole series, he has all-time potential.

Cast ranking

1. Matthew Rhys
2. Keri Russell
3. Noah Emmerich
4. Margo Martindale
5. Derek Luke
6. Annet Mahendru
7. Richard Thomas
8. Michael Countryman
9. Peter Von Berg
10. Holly Taylor
11. Tonye Patano
12. Lev Gorn
13. Olek Krupa
14. Maxamilliano Hernandez
15. Kedrich Sellati
16. Susan Misner
17. Daniel Flaherty
18. Mike Oberholtzer (Might be OK in a different show)
19. Alison Wright (Baffling performance, I hope she either gets better or they explain what the hell she's doing)

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Louis: Your favorite line deliveries from TV shows in the 2010s decade?

Anonymous said...

Since someone mentioned the year 1972, tell us what are the best movie, director, performances and screenplays from 50 years ago.

Picture: The Godfather
Director: Francis Ford Coppola - The Godfather
Lead Actor: Laurence Olivier - Sleuth
Lead Actress: Joanne Woodward - The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in the Moon Marigolds
Supporting Actor: Bruce Dern - The Cowboys
Supporting Actress: Ingrid Thulin - Cries and Whispers
Adapted Screenplay: The Godfather
Original Screenplay: The Discreet Charm of the Bourgeoisie

Ytrewq Wertyq said...

Louis: your 20 best Gene Wilder moments?

8000S said...

Louis: Thoughts on the production design, costume design and cinematography of Throne of Blood.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Thoughts on the Thirteen Lives trailer.

Shaggy Rogers said...

Anonymous

Picture: The Godfather
Director: Francis Ford Coppola - The Godfather
Lead Actor: Al Pacino - The Godfather
Lead Actress: Liza Minnelli - Cabaret
Supporting Actor: James Caan - The Godfather
Supporting Actress: Susan Tyrell - Fat City
Adapted Screenplay: The Godfather
Original Screenplay: Cries and Whispers

Michael McCarthy said...

Matt: I’m glad you’re enjoying it, it’s a fantastic show. All of the actors and writers are SO good with subtext. There are a lot of great performances you still have to look forward too, including possibly my all-time favorite one episode wonder performance in a series.

8000S said...

Anonymous:

Best Picture: The Godfather
Best Director: Francis Ford Coppola - The Godfather
Best Actor: Al Pacino - The Godfather
Best Actress: Liv Ullmann - The New Land
Best Supporting Actor: Bruce Dern - The Cowboys
Best Supporting Actress: Ingrid Thulin - Cries and Whispers
Best Original Screenplay: Cries and Whispers
Best Adapted Screenplay: The Godfather

Louis Morgan said...

Watched Elvis, which I guess the best praise I can give it is that I didn't dislike it as much as I expected to... The main story though is completely the Ray format rinse and repeat of "then this happened", just with the baffling choice in having the Colonel as the storyteller and Luhrmann's stylistic flourishes. The latter which if you like, you might like this just for them...I don't. Not everything is terrible about it, but it doesn't do anything inspired with noted figure.

Hanks - 1(If he's Oscar nominated I'll just tear into him twice.)
DeJonge - 3.5
Thomson - 2
Roxburgh - 2.5
Harrison - 3
Wenham - 2.5
Smit-McPhee - 2.5
Montgomery - 3

Lucas:

Peters - 3.5(She's enjoyable in playing the note of sweetness no matter what is that Martin is doing, and just works in contrasts as this seemingly perfect romantic interest.)

Mason - 3.5(Enjoyable in the randomness of his performance in a way, in that he is almost too outgoing with just how much he seems to take to Navin for no particular reason and is so expertly deadpan against his idiocy.)

Walsh - 3.5(Always enjoyable to see him as per usual, and does an excellent bit of comedic derangement, though in contrast to his second scene, that in a way you could say is two sides of his most famous role.)

Tahmeed:

"If you don't know who I am, then maybe your best course would be to tread lightly" - Bryan Cranston (Breaking Bad)
"You're the smartest guy I ever met" - Dean Norris (Breaking Bad)
"Wire" - Aaron Paul (Breaking Bad)
"I Don't Think We're Alike At All, Mr. White" - Giancarlo Esposito (Breaking Bad)
"I chose a half measure when I should've gone all the way" - Jonathan Banks (Breaking Bad)
"Again and again and again forever" - Matthew McConuaghey (True Detective)
"My Family's Been Here a Long Long Time" - Glenn Flshler (True Detective)
"I did not kill Joffrey but I wish that I had" - Peter Dinklage (Game of Thrones)
Every line delivery - Mark Addy (Game of Thrones)
"Why did you just say that" - Bill Hader (Barry)
"Your Principals" - Matthew MacFadyen (Succession)

To name a few.

Ytrewq:

1. You get nothing - Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
2. Entrance - Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
3. Tunnel of madness - Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
4. Pure Imagination - Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
5. Every snarky aside - Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory
6. Not I - The Producers
7. I'm an undertaker - Bonnie and Clyde
8. Creating the monster - Young Frankenstein
9. Meeting Max - The Producers
10. You know morons - Blazing Saddles
11. I'm Leo Bloom - The Producers
12. Doo doo - Young Frankenstein
13. Putting on the Ritz - Young Frankenstein
14. His woes - Blazing Saddles
15. Learning about the plot - Silver Streak
16. Let me Out - Young Frankenstein
17. Fatty fat fat - The Producers
18. Depressed - Young Frankenstein
19. Put the candle Back - Young Frankenstein
20. Hey boys - Blazing Saddles

8000's:

Throne of Blood's production design is fascinating work in terms of creating almost this kind of Gothic form for the Japanese Shogun period, with this off-kilter styling to the expected that gives the film a particularly distinct look within the works of Kurosawa. Additionally the work involving the Witch is all just incredible in its unique striking view.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Thoughts on the cast.

Matt Mustin said...

I've got no interest in Elvis expect maybe for Butler's performance, and even then...not really.

Calvin Law said...

'If he's Oscar nominated I'll just tear into him twice' lmao

Matt Mustin said...

Honestly, I doubt Hanks is even going to campaign for himself, I think he's gonna throw everything behind Butler.

Louis Morgan said...

Luke:

Hanks - (I mean I'm guessing Parker got so much screentime to begin with was to pull in a big star like Hanks, while letting a relative unknown be Elvis. And you know, I think another performance, even by Hanks, could've made something out of the character as this kind of magnificent bastard style of performance, like maybe if you played him as a Dutch man pretending to be a southern good old boy, you know like how the real Colonel Tom Parker was? Hanks's whole choice here is truly baffling, in that who wouldn't suspect he was a sleazeball when he's playing Sydney Greenstreet playing Peter Lorre in the Maltese Falcon. That's not what the real Colonel Tom was like, but worse is he's just a complete cartoon from start to finish. There's no layers of deceit since he's so ridiculously sleazy to begin with. That accent makes no sense, it's not what Parker sounded like, or probably any human on this green earth, as honestly I think you'd be going too broad even if you had been playing Peter Lorre honestly. I wish I could say he was broad to the point of being funny in his badness, but really I just found him annoying as he is just this annoying distraction from what Butler is trying to do in the lead role. This is the sort of indulgence that feels like a bad Brando performance, which you might take a compliment but one shouldn't. Also Hanks knows better, and it's a shame as I've liked most of what Hanks has been doing this last decade, so this is just an atrocious choice.)

DeJonge - (Underused just as Priscilla in general is underused because we needed more scenes of the Colonel doing his shtick I guess. Still DeJonge is good in portraying the initial charm and chemistry in her early scenes. She's as effective though in portraying the growth in her performance that is moving and striking in the change, even if again too little of her.)

Thomson - (Thought she was kind of one note and doesn't leave much of an impression.)

Roxburgh - (I guess I should be glad that he's mostly just subdued here, and mostly just fine if nothing more.)

Harrison - (He's good but again underused, seems like he definitely should've had a later scene at some point but he doesn't get one. Makes an impression though within his limited role however.)

Wenham & Smit-McPhee - (They're in it I suppose.)

Montgomery - (Thought he managed to make a nice natural impression in what is a wholly functional type of character.)

Ytrewq Wertyq said...

Hanks' Oscar for Forrest Gump could be at this point added to that list of ones that damaged actor's further career, as I don't think we would've gotten all these clumsy, Petter Sellers-ish performances he's been periodically giving since he first put on that Alabamian accent.

Matt Mustin said...

Ytrewq: No, I don't agree with that at all, he's been better in the past few years than he ever has been, this is just a misstep.

Ytrewq Wertyq said...

Matt: I specifically meant the handful of performances like the ones in Elvis, Cloud Atlas, Polar Express etc. where he either tried to portray a few characters or took on a heavily mannered role and nothing good came out of it

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

I will say that Hanks's best work tends to be more naturalized and makes some use of his average man persona. I'm sure he can do more than that, but his performance in Elvis shouldn't be a sign otherwise.

Louis: Do you think Hanks could have given a better performance with another director?

Louis Morgan said...

Tahmeed:

Yes as Luhrmann doesn't exactly seem like the guy to say "tone it down a bit".

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Louis: Your thoughts on the "stay out of my territory" scene from Breaking Bad? Especially love the song used in that scene.

Ytrewq Wertyq said...

Louis:Thoughts on these retro casting choices?

1990s Fargo (season 1, might do the rest of the seasons at some point):

Rick Moranis as Lester Nygaard
Christopher Lloyd as Lorne Malvo
James Gandolfini as Gus Grimly (decided to not use Tom Hanks, since at that point of his career he likely would've been the sole lead)
Jennifer Tilly as Molly Solverson
Joe Mantegna as Bill Oswalt
Richard Farnsworth as Lou Solverson
Lauren Hutton as Gina Hess
Matthew Modine as Chazz Nygaard
Benicio Del Toro as Mr Wrench
Michael Wincott as Mr Numbers
Brendan Fraser as Don Chumph
Michael Lerner as Stavros Milos


1980s Breaking Bad:

Gene Wilder as Walter White
Robert Downey Jr. as Jesse Pinkman
Carroll Baker as Skyler White
Stacy Keach as Hank Schrader
Shelley Duvall as Marie Schrader
Raul Julia as Gus Fring
James Woods as Saul Goodman
Jack Palance as Mike Ehrmantraut
Crispin Glover as Todd Alquist
Danny Trejo as Tuco Salamanca
Anthony Quinn as Hector Salamanca
F.Murray Abraham as Eladio Vuente
M.Emmet Walsh as Gale Boetticher
Harry Dean Stanton as Ed Galbraith


2000s Nebraska:

Ben Stiller as David Grant
Gene Wilder as Woody Grant
Cloris Leachman as Kate Grant
Brad Garrett as Ross Grant
Ned Beatty as Ed Pengram

1960s Barton Fink:

Dustin Hoffman as Barton Fink
Jackie Gleason as Charlie Meadows
Zero Mostel as Jack Lipnick
Ava Gardner as Audrey Taylor
Vincent Price as W.P. Mayhew
Frank Gorshin as Ben Geisler
Victor Buono as Lou Breeze
Gary Busey as Chet



Razor said...

Louis: Thoughts on Gatsby's introduction in Luhrmann's Gatsby?

8000S said...

Louis: Your thoughts on these casting choices for a movie regarding the 1968 American presidential elections? These casting choices aren't actually mine, but are from someone from Twitter.

Richard Nixon: J.K. Simmons
Hubert Humphrey: Bob Odenkirk
George Wallace: Jeremy Strong
Lyndon B. Johnson: Jeff Daniels
Robert F. Kennedy: Timothy Olyphant
Eugene McCarthy: Stanley Tucci
Nelson Rockefeller: Alec Baldwin
George Romney: Jon Hamm

Louis Morgan said...

8000's:

The costume design like the production design is fascinating choice here because again it is something that Kurosawa would explore before and after, but never quite in this way. This as the designs bring this kind of gothic sort of stylistic swings within the Feudal Japan stylings that are most striking in creating a particularly distinct look while still bringing a general authenticity to the generalized period.

Tahmeed:

It's a great scene in that you get the literal two Walters in a singular scene but in his dual reactions. You get first where you get the inner teacher coming out in his suggestions to the man as though he is provided tips on a lab experiment. Then the ending though you get full on Heisenberg as he goes on the menace to insist on his territory.

Ytrewq:

For Fargo, I like Moranis and Lloyd as the leads there a great deal. I could also see gentle giant Gandolfini being a wonderful choice. Also Farnsworth is the ideal Lou.

80's Breaking Bad, Wilder is a choice I would've loved to see, again same as seeing him in Magic, a casting I always wish we had gotten to see even though Hopkins was terrific. Downey would be a great Jesse. Like Keach a great deal too. Julia, Woods, Palance, Trejo, Quinn, and Stanton are all perfection. Though I wouldn't be against a swap of Palance and Stanton either though. Not sure about Glover, only because I think he'd telegraph the creep too early. Walsh I don't think is passive enough for Gale, maybe William Hootkins as the alternate there.

Yes to all regarding Nebraska.

Barton Fink, well I think why not Wilder again for Barton, though Hoffman certainly would work. Gleason would be amazing. Mostel and Buono would be great together I think. Price Gorshin and Gardner would all fit. I think Busey might've been too young.

Razor:

One of Luhrmann's choice that is pretty great, and I wouldn't give that compliment a lot. I actually think if Luhrmann was more strategic with his flair I could genuinely love one of his films, and that's an example of a build where the style works in the execution of this larger than life intro. I have to say some medium was needed for the perfect Gatsby between Luhrmann who goes too big and Clayton who went too small.

8000's:

Simmons I could see working though a bit old, I think you need someone who will be unfussy for Nixon, you know like a Philip Baker Hall who was such a practical performer, in turn delivering the best Nixon.

Odenkirk I think could have the right underdog energy for Humphrey even if far from a match physically.

I won't support a Jeremy Strong casting until I fully see him bring his Succession brilliance to a film role, which I haven't seen yet.

I like Daniels, as again avoiding being too labored with extremely mannered men is often the key to a more lived in work.

Actually I think Olyphant could work well based on Fargo 4, with his sort of tragic earnestness.

I could see Tucci bringing the right kind of innate dignity, though as well hopeless in his attempt.

Physically good casting for Rockefeller, though I have to imagine Baldwin won't be cast in too many things for awhile.

Hamm seems like a fitting energy for Romney.

Calvin Law said...

Saw Broker, loved it despite a few reservations about the plotting. Ensemble is fan-freaking-tastic.

Song: 5
Gang: 4.5
Bae: 4
IU: 5
Lee: 4
Im: 4

Matt Mustin said...

Watched Multiverse of Madness, which I actually really loved. It's pure Raimi lunacy and I had a complete blast.

Cumberbatch-4.5 (I wish they let him play around with just a couple more alternate Stranges, cause he has a blast with that)

Olsen-4.5

Wong-3.5

Gomez-3

McAdams-3

Ejiofor-3(It kinda feels like we missed part of his story)

Campbell-(Perfection)

Massive kudos to Michael Stuhlbarg's agent for somehow getting him prominent billing.

Anonymous said...

Louis: Your thoughts on 'hold the door' from Game of Thrones? I know you must have given thoughts on that when it first aired, but can't find it.

Louis Morgan said...

Anonymous:

I'll admit that's a scene that loses its power due to where the series went as there's certain aspects of it that are just of "eh that had no point". The idea itself is poignant and powerful the man stuck reliving his predestined death that he experienced twice. Unfortunately now all I can think about is that it was purely just for a moment and had no real point. There's no lasting impression on Bran of causing that, as next season he became blank slate Bran. There's no purpose whatsoever to Bran apparently being able to impact the past, nothing is done with that in any way. The death of Summer before that moment even you can paint into the showrunners just abandoning any point to the dire wolves, and seeming looking at them as just an unneeded CGI expense. So good scene in isolation, but reflects the haphazard nature of the writing that plagued the series post-season 4.

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: Do you consider Song Kang-Ho Lead or Supporting.

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Louis: Do you still hold Season 6 of GOT in as high of a regard as you used to?

Louis Morgan said...

Tahmeed:

No I don't, largely based on that most of it didn't lead to anywhere interesting, and you take so many of the elements from it, and you just see where the writing lost all meaningful progression of character for the most part. The problem with promise is there has to be something promising from it. Take any great revelation from season 6, either in terms of character progression or terms of plot, they were either left unresolved, wasted, forgotten about, or turned to character regression.

Bryan L. said...

Louis: I believe that you once mentioned that Ben Affleck is at his best when he plays around with his sort of known presence. Would you say that The Last Duel is a great example of such? Count Pierre is a frat bro/playboy at heart, which Affleck played several of back in the 90s.

Calvin Law said...

Luke: I would say lead, as well as Gang and IU being on the border though I have the latter in supporting, but one could easily argue it to be a full ensemble cast.

Ytrewq Wertyq said...

Louis: Ratings and thoughts on Roshan Seth and Wes Studi in Street Fighter?

BRAZINTERMA said...

Hello folks!
Now that we are halfway through the year (it went by fast), tell us which were the best of 2022 so far...

SONG: "Hold My Hand" - Top Gun Maverick
SCORE: The Batman
SOUND MIXING: Top Gun Maverick
SOUND EDITING: Top Gun Maverick
EDITING: Everything Everywhere All at Once
VISUAL EFFECTS: Top Gun Maverick
MAKEUP & HAIRSTYLING: X
COSTUME DESIGN: The Northman
PRODUCTION DESIGN: Everything Everywhere All at Once
CINEMATOGRAPHY: The Northman
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: Everything Everywhere All at Once
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: After Yang
ENSEMBLE: Everything Everywhere All at Once
SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Stephanie Hsu - Everything Everywhere All at Once
SUPPORTING ACTOR: Ke Huy Quan - Everything Everywhere All at Once
LEAD ACTRESS: Michelle Yeoh - Everything Everywhere All at Once
LEAD ACTOR: Alexander Skarsgård - The Northman
DIRECTOR: Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert - Everything Everywhere All at Once
PICTURE: Everything Everywhere All at Once

Is that you? Which ones have been the best so far?

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Picture: Everything Everywhere All at Once
Director: Robert Eggers - The Northman
Actor: Ram Charan - RRR
Actress: Michelle Yeoh - Everything Everywhere All At Once
Supporting Actor: Ke Huy Quan - Everything Everywhere All at Once
Supporting Actress: Nicole Kidman - The Northman

Calvin Law said...

SONG: "Hold My Hand" - Top Gun Maverick
SCORE: The Batman
SOUND MIXING: Top Gun Maverick
SOUND EDITING: Top Gun Maverick
EDITING: Everything Everywhere All at Once
VISUAL EFFECTS: Top Gun Maverick
MAKEUP & HAIRSTYLING: Crimes of the Future
COSTUME DESIGN: Everything Everywhere All at Once
PRODUCTION DESIGN: Everything Everywhere All at Once
CINEMATOGRAPHY: The Batman
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: Everything Everywhere All at Once
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: Happening
ENSEMBLE: Everything Everywhere All at Once
SUPPORTING ACTRESS: IU - Broker
SUPPORTING ACTOR: Ke Huy Quan - Everything Everywhere All at Once
LEAD ACTRESS: Michelle Yeoh - Everything Everywhere All at Once
LEAD ACTOR: Song Kang-ho - Broker
DIRECTOR: Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert - Everything Everywhere All at Once
PICTURE: Everything Everywhere All at Once

Anonymous said...

Louis: Sometime in the future, would you consider doing special one off reviews for Vivien Leigh in Gone with the Wind and Kathleen Byron in Black Narcissus.

8000S said...

Anonymous: He DOESN'T do reviews of female performances.

8000S said...

Louis: What are your thoughts on the It's a Wonderful Life scene where George yells at Uncle Billy for losing the money?

Shaggy Rogers said...

SONG: "Hold My Hand" - Top Gun Maverick
SCORE: After Yang
SOUND MIXING: Top Gun Maverick
SOUND EDITING: Top Gun Maverick
EDITING: Top Gun Maverick
VISUAL EFFECTS: Top Gun Maverick
MAKEUP & HAIRSTYLING: The Batman
COSTUME DESIGN: Elvis
PRODUCTION DESIGN: The Northman
CINEMATOGRAPHY: Top Gun Maverick
ORIGINAL SCREENPLAY: Everything Everywhere All at Once
ADAPTED SCREENPLAY: After Yang
ENSEMBLE: Everything Everywhere All at Once
SUPPORTING ACTRESS: Anna Mouglalis - Happening
SUPPORTING ACTOR: Ke Huy Quan - Everything Everywhere All at Once
LEAD ACTRESS: Michelle Yeoh - Everything Everywhere All at Once
LEAD ACTOR: Robert Pattinson - The Batman
DIRECTOR: Daniel Kwan and Daniel Scheinert - Everything Everywhere All at Once
PICTURE: Everything Everywhere All at Once

Marcus said...

Louis: Your thoughts on "Hold My Hand" from Top Gun: Maverick?

ruthiehenshallfan99 said...

Rewatched Cinderella for the ??th time in my life. Still one of greatest I've ever seen and easily my favorite movie ever. A wonderful birthday present for myself!

Luke Higham said...

RIP Joe Turkel

Louis Morgan said...

Bryan:

100%

Ytrewq:

I think have probably given my thoughts on them before, but to reiterate, Studi and Seth while don't overcome the film to the point of Julia, both do genuinely attempt to add some actual presence to their parts, Seth attempting to bring any emotional investment to Blanka and Studi trying to bring a more straight forward menace. The film is against them, and Julia's approach is the only one that wholly succeeds, but they are better than most things in the movie.

Anonymous:

I'd love to review every female performance that is a five honestly, but...it's just hard to steer away from my current course. I actually did review Grace Kelly and Judy Garland for their 54 nominations, which I apparently deleted, not sure why.

Marcus:

Well as a fan of Take My Breath Away (solidarity Tahmeed!) this is fittingly update on the romantic ballad for this Top Gun. I mean if making a ballad Gaga seems like always a good choice, as her vocals alone always are impressively powerful on their own. Here where I think pure earnestness only earns you points and just going all in on the sentiment right to the use of the central lyric that is repetitive, but it doesn't matter because it wholly works. This backing up with instrumentation that is fittingly to the Top Gun name in just the intensity and really even bombastic fervor of it, that is rather wonderful. I like the update in that using the modern equivalents of the techno that was used by Berlin, and doing their own thing rather magnificently that homages to the original style but in a new way. Much like the film.