tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457552600380761837.post482392777590512879..comments2024-03-28T18:52:59.863-04:00Comments on Best Actor: Alternate Best Supporting Actor 1999: Peter Sarsgaard in Boys Don't CryLouis Morganhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07933180959140340196noreply@blogger.comBlogger83125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457552600380761837.post-21046517816267158042019-12-07T18:51:11.631-05:002019-12-07T18:51:11.631-05:00Tahmeed:
Not likely, though I do like him a lot, ...Tahmeed:<br /><br />Not likely, though I do like him a lot, though Olivier firmly has it for me the whole way through. Louis Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07933180959140340196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457552600380761837.post-47333683109891748452019-12-07T17:30:57.016-05:002019-12-07T17:30:57.016-05:00Bryan:
Not taking the Piano was probably he misse...Bryan:<br /><br />Not taking the Piano was probably he missed opportunity, however I don't think she would've been better in Hunter in that role, so it was all for the best. Otherwise I don't think she had many major missed opportunities as he career went well until she hit the wall any actress not named Meryl Streep runs into, that is all the plumb older female roles are taken up by Meryl Streep. Louis Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07933180959140340196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457552600380761837.post-62234615218875998912019-12-07T17:28:39.999-05:002019-12-07T17:28:39.999-05:00Anonymous:
Sound design is of course key in the f...Anonymous:<br /><br />Sound design is of course key in the film with the mixing creating a disorienting quality befitting a film about messing with minds and blowing them up. It is in typical Cronenberg form in having a grit and grind in the sound, though never too far to be bad, but rather off-putting in the right way that amplifies the nature of the piece.<br /><br />The score is similar in this sense by Howard Shore that too very much borders always on potentially being too much in being a combination of jarring sounds and anxiety ridden pieces. It is anything but beautiful, however completely works in amplifying an alienating and insane atmosphere for the film.<br /><br />Bryan:<br /><br />Giving a bit more time I actually don't think the characters were all that flawed as written, in that they were comical but not the lines/characters weren't the problem. In fact the observer didn't even necessarily need to be comic even as written. The problem was how they played them which is more towards the performances and Baumbach's direction, which should've toned them down. Louis Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07933180959140340196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457552600380761837.post-79264299074045479882019-12-07T17:21:39.081-05:002019-12-07T17:21:39.081-05:00Okay, I finally caught with "The Irishman&quo...Okay, I finally caught with "The Irishman" today, and it was well worth the wait. Honestly it might be my favourite film of the year (from what I've seen), as it not only justified its staggering run time, it simply realized the full scope and weight of its subject matter. Scorsese is obviously in his element here but he does avoid making this a retread of "Goodfellas" or "Casino"; It certainly shares many of the themes of those two, but I feel "The Irishman" can stand on its own in its more somber and meditative tone. Every technical choice that was made - right down to the annotations regarding each character's fate - really emphasizes the brutality and futility of the life Sheeran found himself in. Also the de-aging CGI, say for that street scene, was handled quite effectively and never became all that distracting for myself. Overall, I really just adored this film and would definitely hold it to the same standard as Scorsese's best.<br /><br />De Niro - 5 (He is presently my best actor win, by the way)<br />Pacino - 5 (Verging on supporting actor win with Robert Downey Jr.)<br />Pesci - 4.5/5<br />Romano - 3<br />Cannavale - 3<br />Plemons - 3<br />Paquin - 3 Mitchell Murrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06054562644509043086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457552600380761837.post-22389286125017630072019-12-07T13:54:26.100-05:002019-12-07T13:54:26.100-05:00Although I guess Hagertys part in conception could...Although I guess Hagertys part in conception could’ve worked, but neither Baumbach or Hagerty helped mattersBryan L.https://www.blogger.com/profile/11734763991830926605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457552600380761837.post-77533942994982162392019-12-07T13:48:15.157-05:002019-12-07T13:48:15.157-05:00Louis: I noticed you omitted a couple of the roles...Louis: I noticed you omitted a couple of the roles for that retrocast. I wonder why......<br /><br />Anyways, your thoughts on any missed opportunities of Sigourney Weavers career?Bryan L.https://www.blogger.com/profile/11734763991830926605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457552600380761837.post-91764361215537973642019-12-07T10:48:28.326-05:002019-12-07T10:48:28.326-05:00Also just realised that Godzilla was snubbed from ...Also just realised that Godzilla was snubbed from the VFX shortlist, while Gemini Man, Terminator and Lion King made it. What the fuck. Calvin Lawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11392068349392739631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457552600380761837.post-2779660133508293572019-12-07T08:32:41.583-05:002019-12-07T08:32:41.583-05:00Also seeing Honey Boy later. Also seeing Honey Boy later. Calvin Lawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11392068349392739631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457552600380761837.post-6351136889243559812019-12-07T08:32:26.526-05:002019-12-07T08:32:26.526-05:00Saw Motherless Brooklyn. What a waste of amazing s...Saw Motherless Brooklyn. What a waste of amazing source material, turning back the clocks and changing it to a poor man's Chinatown mystery was just so aggravating even if it is at times a somewhat decent crime thriller. Did like most of the performances though, and the aesthetic and score, and Norton is actually a fine director, I just kind of hated what he did with the screenplay even though it's technically not awful.<br /><br />Norton - 4<br />Willis - 3<br />Mbatha-Raw - 3<br />Baldwin - 2<br />Dafoe - 4<br />Cannavale - 2.5<br />Williams - 3.5<br />Mann - 2<br />Suplee and Roberts - 3Calvin Lawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11392068349392739631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457552600380761837.post-6418874017324802112019-12-07T02:55:10.784-05:002019-12-07T02:55:10.784-05:00Louis: Your thoughts on the sound design and score...Louis: Your thoughts on the sound design and score from Scanners.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457552600380761837.post-72913625872537478732019-12-07T02:39:11.943-05:002019-12-07T02:39:11.943-05:00Also, some expanded thoughts on the main cast:
Dr...Also, some expanded thoughts on the main cast:<br /><br />Driver gives great work here, and what I found especially intriguing about the performance is how he handles Charlie's level of sympathy. This is in the sense that Driver doesn't really make him this perfect guy, or even an overly charismatic one, but instead plays him as both a believably flawed man in regards to his marraige, and an empathetic one in regards to his fatherhood. In the scenes with Charlie's son Driver really shows his desire to be a good dad, but also hints at every trial and nervous thought buried behind those eyes. Driver finds this wavelength throughout and offers a genuinely moving turn. He completely realizes Charlie's growing distress in his legal battles, and the strain on his relationship with Nicole. Also the scene that he fully breaks down in is superbly handled.<br /><br />Johansson also gives a great performance, and its easily her finest work to date. This is a dramatic turn from Johansson that completely works, and is so very authentic to every emotion and sentiment Nicole undergoes. There is not a wasted second in her portrayal as she grants such vividness to her emotional state, through every tearful episode, in every awkward interaction, and in every frustrated outburst. Johansson finds an incredible vulnerability here without ever becoming self aware in the performance, and without straying into blandness or repetition like some of her weakest work. No, this is instead the performance of a more matured and inspired actress, that stands well above any of her previous outings. I really was quite taken by Johansson's portrayal, and every plaudit that will probably come its way would be more than deserved.<br /><br />As for the supporting cast there a little weaker, strictly speaking, but only because of the minor nature of the parts, and the way in which two of the lawyers are forced to take sides. <br /><br />Dern was good but I feel the intense buzz for her performance might be a tad overblown, because it really is a straight forward turn in many ways. More importantly, its also a heightened performance that seems specifically tailored for a more traditional "brash" lawyer type, and less a realistic and layered depiction that would complement most of the movie's tone. Dern is decent in her part, don't get me wrong, but it just seems slightly miscalculated given the seriousness of the subject matter, and she also couldn't overcome the heavy handedness of her big speech.<br /><br />Similarly, Liotta gives an enjoyably crude and exasperated turn - its nothing spectacular, but it does function well enough for the role. Out of the three lawyers in this film, I myself was most drawn to Alda, personally. Perhaps this is because I just loved seeing him on screen again, or maybe its because Alda just conveys such warmth in his relatively simple role. Like Dern and Liotta its nothing that complex or outstanding, but its still a nicely endearing piece of work from an beloved veteran.<br /><br />And as for Hagerty, Wever and Kelly...well...I refuse to say anything beyond my ratings above.Mitchell Murrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06054562644509043086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457552600380761837.post-31858038871732726362019-12-07T02:02:56.532-05:002019-12-07T02:02:56.532-05:00A bit of a late comment but I too saw "Marrai...A bit of a late comment but I too saw "Marraige Story" today, and I thought it was pretty strong. When the story actually hones in on Charlie and Nicole, it really becomes an effective piece, because it is so balanced in its depiction of the divorcees. I have to give Baumbach major credit because it would've been so easy to demonize one side or the other. But instead, we're offered a far more realistic portrayal in the lingering bond between the couple, the imperfections of both partners, and the stress that lawyers add to the situation. <br /><br />That said, I will also have to echo Louis in that we could've done without the caricatures of Hagerty, Kelly and Wever. Because they are so broad and one-note they hurt the scenes their in, since the film is going for such a strict realism every where else. Now in terms of the other Baumbach quirks they didn't bother me that much, due to many of them being derived from Nicole and Charlie. The little bits of humour feel rather earned from them because of the messy nature of the whole situation; Thus, those caricatures stick out that much greater and really keep this film from achieving the overall excellence it would've found otherwise. <br /><br />Driver - 5<br />Johansson - 5<br />Alda - 3.5<br />Dern - 3<br />Liotta - 3<br />Hagerty - 2<br />Wever - 1.5<br />Kelly - 1Mitchell Murrayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06054562644509043086noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457552600380761837.post-37493969347197722162019-12-07T00:35:33.930-05:002019-12-07T00:35:33.930-05:00Deciding between Parasite and The Irishman was als...Deciding between Parasite and The Irishman was also tough for me. By a razor's edge, I prefer Parasite, largely because of its pitch perfect pacing and editing, whereas there were scenes in The Irishman which didn't exactly fly by. Tahmeed Chowdhuryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07946081425647648210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457552600380761837.post-9413317637923963442019-12-07T00:32:52.341-05:002019-12-07T00:32:52.341-05:00I'm really struggling between The Irishman and...I'm really struggling between The Irishman and Parasite as my Best Picture choice. I may just cheat and do a Picture/Director split. Matt Mustinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03310037237651825936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457552600380761837.post-26397247873447460702019-12-07T00:25:50.529-05:002019-12-07T00:25:50.529-05:00At the moment I'm torn between Kelvin Harrison...At the moment I'm torn between Kelvin Harrison Jr. in Waves and De Niro in The Irishman as my Best Actor choice. The latter gave some of the best work he's ever done, but I was SO taken aback by Harrison. Even though he dealt with directorial overkill, he still managed to give such a vibrant, layered portrayal of a nightmarish downward spiral. Robert MacFarlanehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17264501767985746886noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457552600380761837.post-80199960507250480942019-12-07T00:20:52.304-05:002019-12-07T00:20:52.304-05:00Thinking about it more, I'll upgrade Driver fo...Thinking about it more, I'll upgrade Driver for Marriage Story, and exchange Alda and Liotta's ratings.<br /><br />Louis: Could Michael Caine go up for Sleuth? I saw it again last night, and I felt he really does dominate the second half of the film.<br />Also, could I have your thoughts on the direction and production design of the film? Tahmeed Chowdhuryhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07946081425647648210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457552600380761837.post-72470141800597751672019-12-07T00:19:07.335-05:002019-12-07T00:19:07.335-05:00Calvin:
Isn't that Shoot the Moon? Which Marr...Calvin:<br /><br />Isn't that Shoot the Moon? Which Marriage Story is a much better film than I'd say, though both have tonal issues, though I'd say the former are far more severe.<br /><br />Bryan:<br /><br />Also will avoid any Kramer vs. Kramer sentiments, a more consistent film tonally (though that does have that "I met your son" scene) than Marriage Story, though I definitely prefer the latter.<br /><br />Marriage Story 1970's directed by Sidney Lumet:<br /><br />Nicole: Liza Minnelli<br />Charlie: Christopher Walken<br />Nora: Lauren Bacall<br />Bert: Jimmy Stewart<br />Jay: Robert Mitchum<br /><br />Bogart:<br /><br />Frank Sheeran (Also truly impossible Irishman Hoffa (Cagney), Bufalino (Robinson)<br />Rick Deckard<br />The Man - All is Lost Louis Morganhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07933180959140340196noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457552600380761837.post-34720703058068515602019-12-06T23:33:31.884-05:002019-12-06T23:33:31.884-05:00Louis: Your 70s cast and director for Marriage Sto...Louis: Your 70s cast and director for Marriage Story? And your present film roles for Humphrey Bogart?Bryan L.https://www.blogger.com/profile/11734763991830926605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457552600380761837.post-52781891325089219132019-12-06T21:54:05.208-05:002019-12-06T21:54:05.208-05:00I'll probably see Marriage Story maybe tomorro...I'll probably see Marriage Story maybe tomorrow, but I just want to quickly say I saw Knives Out again, and it MORE than holds up on a second viewing. I was noticing little clues I didn't notice the first time, the plot still seems fairly airtight, but honestly, it is just so damned entertaining that at a certain point I just stopped trying to reassemble the puzzle and just enjoy it again. Matt Mustinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03310037237651825936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457552600380761837.post-36526356060040997852019-12-06T20:16:33.645-05:002019-12-06T20:16:33.645-05:00Bryan: you’re onto something.
1980s Marriage Stor...Bryan: you’re onto something.<br /><br />1980s Marriage Story directed by Lawrence Kasdan <br />Nicole: Sissy Spacek <br />Charlie: Jeff Goldblum <br />Nora: Anne Bancroft <br />Bert: Ralph Bellamy <br />Jay: Philip Baker Hall Calvin Lawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11392068349392739631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457552600380761837.post-59883616195081608202019-12-06T19:25:53.745-05:002019-12-06T19:25:53.745-05:00Robert: Absolutely. I remember thinking at one poi...Robert: Absolutely. I remember thinking at one point during my second watch of the film that an alternative title could have been "The Assassination of Jimmy Hoffa by The Irishman Frank Sheeran".Emi Granthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11750427510645339560noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457552600380761837.post-90838348596779382242019-12-06T19:00:28.487-05:002019-12-06T19:00:28.487-05:00Calvin: So does this mean Keitel would be Shepards...Calvin: So does this mean Keitel would be Shepards equivalent?Bryan L.https://www.blogger.com/profile/11734763991830926605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457552600380761837.post-42359106906532239132019-12-06T18:57:31.761-05:002019-12-06T18:57:31.761-05:00I will also say it was sad to see Alda sealing wit...I will also say it was sad to see Alda sealing with Parkinson’s but it was also lovely that he gave such a nice small performance, thinking more about it he’s probably my favourite supporting performance in the film. And yeah will probably upgrade the lead’s. Calvin Lawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11392068349392739631noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457552600380761837.post-66201886202040723342019-12-06T18:52:54.688-05:002019-12-06T18:52:54.688-05:00Robert: Not while I was watching it...but now that...Robert: Not while I was watching it...but now that you mention it...Bryan L.https://www.blogger.com/profile/11734763991830926605noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2457552600380761837.post-80420816878203001812019-12-06T18:46:22.011-05:002019-12-06T18:46:22.011-05:00Agreed, especially that third act denouement, and ...Agreed, especially that third act denouement, and the whole De Niro/Pesci dynamic reminding me of the Ford brothers and Hoffa/Jesse James the legendary figurehead.Calvin Lawhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11392068349392739631noreply@blogger.com