I see, thanks. I hope we find out more about that.
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I see, thanks. I hope we find out more about that.
Even Gladiator took too many liberties with history. I saw an interview with Ridley Scott and he seemed frighteningly ignorant of the history of the Crusades.
I wouldn't expect either to be too historically accurate, after all they are made primarily to entertain.
Gladiator at least gives a fair dose of entertainment and Russel Crowe has enough charisma to make you accept him as someone who is capable of leading an army.
Kingdom of Heaven has Orlando Bloom, if I was a teen girl I might find Orlando charismatic, the IMDB user ratings show an average for each group of around 7 till you get to "Females under 18" where the rating is currently 9.3. I'm sorry but I wouldn't follow him to the pub never mind on a suicide ride.
The main bad (christian) guy "Guy de Lusignan" reminded me too much of "Lord Farquaad" from Shrek.
I am sure there will be a much longer cut on DVD, too much seemed to have disappeared in the current edit, some very important historical moments and of course Eva Green.
Cheers Trev.
LOL; I agree with you on Bloom. I think Manohla Dargis (NY Times) also mentioned that the "bad guy" sounded a little too French.Quote:
Originally posted by trevor826
Kingdom of Heaven has Orlando Bloom, if I was a teen girl I might find Orlando charismatic, the IMDB user ratings show an average for each group of around 7 till you get to "Females under 18" where the rating is currently 9.3. I'm sorry but I wouldn't follow him to the pub never mind on a suicide ride. The main bad (christian) guy "Guy de Lusignan" reminded me too much of "Lord Farquaad" from Shrek.
I am sure there will be a much longer cut on DVD, too much seemed to have disappeared in the current edit, some very important historical moments and of course Eva Green.
Speaking of historical moments, more Eva Green is always welcome. I was watching the great Pickpocket last night (the new Artificial-Eye DVD), and I couldn't figure who the stunning Marika Green looked like, but after a bit more research I found out that she's the aunt of Miss Green. Visual confirmation.
You are right on Bloom. He is a bit too effete to be a real action leading man. He worked for Lord of the Rings because elves were supposed to be just a little distinctive and strange to humans. In the books they are described as handsome and/or beautiful but kind of distant.
I wonder if Bloom is going to have to create a more "David Niven" style niche for himself, rather than trying to be a Russell Crowe type.
True. However, one look at his filmography and besides The Lord of the Rings trilogy, he has also done Black Hawk Down, Ned Kelly, Troy, Pirates of the Caribbean (with two more to come), and, of course, Kingdom of Heaven. All action-adventure films and all pretty successful one might add. May be it's just a phase but Hollywood certainly seems keen on making him a leading man.Quote:
Originally posted by stevetseitz
You are right on Bloom. He is a bit too effete to be a real action leading man. He worked for Lord of the Rings because elves were supposed to be just a little distinctive and strange to humans. In the books they are described as handsome and/or beautiful but kind of distant.
I wonder if Bloom is going to have to create a more "David Niven" style niche for himself, rather than trying to be a Russell Crowe type.
Point taken. But I have yet to hear anyone say "Hey have you seen that new Orlando Bloom movie?"
Speaking of the David Niven angle, what about a Bond film for Bloom?
Ian Fleming originally wanted Niven to play Bond, who never did until the campy (but fun) unofficial Bond film "Casino Royale"
I haven't seen Kingdom of Heaven yet so I'm not sure how central his character is, but he's certainly had some good company in many of the earlier films.
I'm not upto date on the "Bond" saga, but I believe "Casino Royale" is also the title for the next one. (QT showed some interest in directing it but couldn't have it his way.) I wouldn't mind Clive Owen as the next bond, although Bloom isn't a terrible choice either.
"Casino Royale" was Ian Fleming's first James Bond novel and was made first for T.V. in the 50's with an americanized "Jimmy Bond. The second version was 1967's "Casino Royale" which I will describe as "60's rococo".
I still enjoy this movie even though I can't consider it a great film. Some of the sequences are truly hilarious.
"Casino Royale" was the first Austin Powers film and a terrific spoof of the James Bond series.
Baadassssss! (2004) - Mario Van Peebles
Great shit right here. Good subject matter, and Mario injects a surprising amount of life into his direction. Keeping things interesting, it has the feeling of a 60's or 70's American art film.
As you've all been pointing out, Orlando Bloom is an apparently odd case, a fey action hero. In Pirates of the Caribbean he has an Erroll Flynn dash, so I'd compare him to Erroll Flylnn and not Russell Crowe, who's a strong actor and has a macho personality (Romper Stomper) but is no great shakes in the looks dept.; Bloom was good with Keith Ledger in Ned Kelly. Tony Jaa of Ong Bak: Thai Warrior is kind of fey too. It is possible. Anyway, Bloom could always beef up. He hs the classic romantic good looks, and that's the important thing. And he's English.
Can Bloom act? Doubtful. Can he do romantic comedy up to the level of fellow Black Hawk alum Josh Hartnett? Uncertain. But Hollywood thinks he looks good in tights, so he's up there. Niven lacked the hard edge to be an non-spoof Bond, though he had the sophistication. Bloom doesn't project the sophistication or the hard edge, so I can't see him as Bond at all. Clive Owen would be a most excellent Bond. I don't think anybody wants to be a Russell Crowe type. Even Russell Crowe mightn't mind being a different type, but he's stuck with being the way he is. They'd just want to be as good an actor and as powerful a physical presence as Crowe.
I guess I'll go re-watch The Bourne Identity. Now there's an actor who looks like a Forties movie hotel busboy, yet he can act, and he's not a bad action hero. Times change.
Bloom can act at LEAST as well as the wooden Clive Owen (the other person mentioned for Bond)
Errol Flynn was always known as a swashbuckler but never recognized for his acting abilities, at least by his peers.
He had twice the screen presence of Bloom.
I didn't say Flynn could act. He sure could swashbuckle though.
I didn't know Owen was wooden. I thought he was supposed to be acting in Closer. Everybody was. Supposed to be I mean. Anyway, James Bond is not a great acting challenge. Connery brought geniality to it, which maybe was what it needed.
Poor Orlando, is he lucky or unlucky? Is he just a flash in the pan?
Interesting comments, Chris. I'm certainly not gonna argue with you about how each of them look, and I think everyone will agree with you regarding Bloom.Quote:
Originally posted by Chris Knipp
[Bloom] has the classic romantic good looks, and that's the important thing. And he's English.
Can Bloom act? Doubtful. Can he do romantic comedy up to the level of fellow Black Hawk alum Josh Hartnett? Uncertain. But Hollywood thinks he looks good in tights, so he's up there. Niven lacked the hard edge to be an non-spoof Bond, though he had the sophistication. Bloom doesn't project the sophistication or the hard edge, so I can't see him as Bond at all. Clive Owen would be a most excellent Bond. I don't think anybody wants to be a Russell Crowe type. Even Russell Crowe mightn't mind being a different type, but he's stuck with being the way he is. They'd just want to be as good an actor and as powerful a physical presence as Crowe.
I'm not a big fan of Josh Hartnett to tell you the truth. I don't believe he's that good of an actor nor do I think he's particularly attractive (albeit that's not my specialty). He had his time in the spotlight but didn't do much with it. I'm a fan of Owen now after watching some of his work last year. Not a bad looking guy either.
I guess I'll go re-watch The Bourne Identity. Now there's an actor who looks like a Forties movie hotel busboy, yet he can act, and he's not a bad action hero. Times change.
I'd never have thought that you would say that about Damon, but what do I know. He can certainly act.
Re: Kingdom of Heaven - Slight Spoilers
Although I don't think Orlando Bloom has the presence of a leader, the main faults with his actual role within the film are down to the story line:
Bastard son of a Lord, Balian worked all his life as a blacksmith, forced to leave his home village and travel with his fathers group to the crusades. Did I mention he hasn't got a clue how to handle a sword while the rest of the party are very experienced soldiers? anyway because of the son, the group are ambushed, surrounded and pretty much slaughtered, the father only recently re-united with the son he'd never bothered to seek out before is injured and on his way out, the totally inexperienced blacksmith survives without a scratch while all around the bodies mount up.
Daddy dies leaving son to inherit title and carry on his good work in Jerusalem. Now the survivors from the ambush send the son on to Medina in a ship, they'll go a bit later and guess what! the ship is destroyed in a storm, all the experienced crew are missing presumed dead but who'se washed up on a beach, not a scratch on him and with the only surviving horse not 10 yards away from him?
Yes you've guessed it, it's Balian the Bastard Blacksmith, the survivors from the ambush realised it, the guy is cursed, go anywhere with him and he'll arrive without a scratch, (his hair may be a little messy) but you'll probably be dead.
Now be honest would you go anywhere near him, I'd imagine everywhere he went, people would run in panic screaming - " Run for your lives, it's Balian the Bastard Blacksmith, he's come to save us."
Who writes this stuff?
Cheers Trev
Do I need to mention another bastard son of a blacksmith?...a little empire toppler named CONAN!?!
Thou shalt not use Arnold's name in vain!
Just kidding.
James Bond isn't an acting challenge?
I think our low standards have turned the super-spy into a predictable bore. The Connery Bond was constantly surprising and interesting. Connery had a mean streak to go along with a suave and classy image. George Lazenby was awful. Roger Moore brought some campy humor to the role but the later Moore outings were atrocious. Timothy Dalton just didn't have "it". Pierce Brosnan is pretty good, but lacks a certain physical toughness.
I think taking over a familiar role like Bond and making it your own would be quite a challenge.
I didn't know that was at issue but I can assure you Hartnett's looks are fine; I would never claim he's a great actor but he's shown an amiable goofiness and definite aptitude for physical comedy in Virgin Suicides, Blow Dry, 40 Days and 40 Nights, and Hollywood Homicide; I was just wondering if Orlando could do that kind of thing as well. Damon does look just like a busboy, I think. Owen wouldn't be likely to appeal to the young audience Orlando's geared to attract, but he does have the old style grown up male star quality so uncommon in Hollywood nowadays.
Casting is an issue we rarely discuss and a crucial one in filmmaking.
Ridley has said that the DVD will be much longer than the theatrical release.
Looks like Scott's "RAN".
I'll wait for it. No truncated versions for me thank you...
Steve Buscemi should play Bond. He'd be great.
He can do the whole adjust-the-cufflinks-with-wrinkled-brow thing with the best of them..
Teeth? This is hollywood- things can be done. But I'd rather have Steve play the role with his natural fangs.
Why is Buscemi not considered Bond material?
We'll put you in charge of the Sundance Cansting Office.
I don't think Ridley Scott is capable of making a film that holds a candle to Kurosawa's "Ran". But, I'll admit director's cuts are usually better
The Ring Two is a sequel (obviously) to The Ring, released here 3 years ago as a remake of a Japanese film called Ringu, a film which has also mutated all over the east-Asian seaboard. The Ring Two is not a remake of Ringu 2, but it is directed by the guy who directed both Ringu and Ringu 2. Got it? No need really, and your brain can also rest in piece while you’re watching the film which is actually not quite the disaster it is made out to be. Naomi Watts and her son have now moved away from Seattle (where the killer videotape copy did quite a bit of damage) to a small town in Oregon. Apparently, one copy of the tape is still alive, and shows up near two teenagers about to fuck (how original!) in the film’s peculiar opening sequence. It does get better though as director Hideo Nakata’s unearthly camera glides up, down, and sideways; also, for the most part, the reliance on atmospheric dread is a welcome sight. The tape eventually gets burned (I could swear I heard some eerie sounds coming from the vhs industry), but this allows for the vengeful Samara (you know, the one with the hair) to take center-stage. There’s a great sequence involving angry reindeers, even though, the special-effects department should’ve done a better job here (I’m surprised that the moose lovers didn’t get pissed). Anyway, it’s onwards and downwards from there as the script by Ehren Kruger tries to channel The Exorcist and The Omen through The Shinning eventually settling on "Carrie" - Sissy Spacek that is. She is part of a late episode involving maternal impulses which could’ve been introduced earlier, but it's all a set-up for the ultimate denouement. In an obvious attempt to pump-up this bloodless PG film into a PG-13 one, we hear Watts (giving a professional performance) scream: "I’m not your fucking mommy" - I would've preferred a glimpse of her bathing and/or reading a book - as she closes an opening. Hopefully, The Ring Three will struggle to come out of it.
GRADE: C
Good, and amusing, analysis. Unfortunately I have only read reviews of it not seen it so can't comment further. I liked "it’s onwards and downwards from there as the script by Ehren Kruger tries to channel The Exorcist and The Omen through The Shinning eventually settling on "Carrie" - Sissy Spacek that is." But none of this, not even your saying it's "not quite the disaster it is made out to be," makes me want to see it. Did see the original Ringu, which frankly didn't thrill me so much, though the Japanese version did have a creepy quality quite beyond what American horror movies ever manage, probably due to their ghost story tradition, which we see in stuff like Kwaidan.
Thanks. A more subtle review for a film like this would be quite boring to read and write. I can't blame you if you don't want to see it; I probably would've provided a bit more info (and might have softened the grade with a "+") if it was good enough. You're right about "a certain creepy quality" that the J-horror films have. They also carry themselves with a certain integrity, refusing to compromise their objectives. Incidentally, the remake of Nakata's Dark Water is releasing soon - it's directed by Walter Salles!
Is that good news, or a sign he's selling out, that's my question in cases like this. I guess the realities are complex.Quote:
the remake of Nakata's Dark Water is releasing soon - it's directed by Walter Salles!
Now the last film I have seen is "The Fifth Element" in all it's superbit glory on DVD.
What a fantastic and fun movie. I love the casting and the visual texture of this movie. I love the fact that Luc Besson simply let's Chris Tucker take over a large portion of his movie. I think the total immersion into a futuristic and different world is the best way to go. George Lucas used this to great effect in the original (non-digitized!!!!) Star Wars.
Eric Serra's score was enough for me to purchase the soundtrack after the movie came out.
The wry sense of humor from Bruce Willis makes this one his better roles.
Man on the Moon (1999) - Milos Forman
Well sometimes it takes me a long time to get around to certain films. This one was about as good as I could have expected. Jim Carey did a damn good job, but Kaufman's life isn't really great cinematic material. It's hard to watch someone be so damn unfunny and self destructive.
Quote:
Originally posted by trevor826
Re: Kingdom of Heaven - Slight Spoilers
Although I don't think Orlando Bloom has the presence of a leader, the main faults with his actual role within the film are down to the story line: ...
...
Who writes this stuff?
I totally agree that the story is not compelling.
-- It has the potential to be intense, exciting and appealing, but somehow it just fails to deliver.
-- There is a good message, but the complexity of it is not well studied nor convincingly conveyed.
Monsieur Ibrahim (2003) - Francois Dupeyron
Pardon the generalizations, but I'm getting sick of "coming of age" films and "unlikely friendship" movies. The gyst of this film is both of those overwrought genres. Everything in this film is familiar, and overplayed. One question I asked myself is why does every French boy seem to lose his virginity to a prostitute? This might not be the case in France, but it sure as hell is the impression I get from French film.
For those who enjoyed the film, please feel free to offer some justification, but I found it pointless.
Also watched Dirty Pretty Things (2002) - Stephen Frears
This film was similar in the unlikely pairings, but the two main characters in this film were in common for being immigrants. The film was alright, I do think a hell of a lot more could have been done with Audrey Tautou, who seemed to be generally discarded here. Overall though, the film is forgettable.
Maria Full of Grace (2003) - Joshua Marston
Well by default this was the best film of the day (so far). Despite the Oscar nomination for Catalina Sandino Moreno, I didn't find anything special in the acting. Granted I sure as hell found her beautiful, but a talented actress, I'm not quite sure. Perhaps my expectations were high, but this film was in no way top 10 material. I did find it entertaining, and at times moving, but a lot more could have been done with the film.
The Saddest Music in the World (2003) - Guy Maddin
Well this film has enough originality to make up for the last 2 dozen or so films I've seen. This one is all over the place. Whenever it may have seemed weak in plot, it more than made up for it in execution. I loved it, if for no other reason because I can't think of another film like it.
We're in agreement on almost everything here.
It was good to see Omar Sharif not embarrasing himself, but this was average at best.Quote:
Originally posted by wpqx
Monsieur Ibrahim (2003) - Francois Dupeyron
Pardon the generalizations, but I'm getting sick of "coming of age" films and "unlikely friendship" movies.
Also watched Dirty Pretty Things (2002) - Stephen Frears
Overall though, the film is forgettable.
There've been better films on the subject matter. Nigerian actor Chiwetel Ejiofor was quite good though.
Maria Full of Grace (2003) - Joshua Marston
Despite the Oscar nomination for Catalina Sandino Moreno, I didn't find anything special in the acting. Granted I sure as hell found her beautiful, but a talented actress, I'm not quite sure. [/QUOTE]
Thank you. I coudn't agree with you more.
>>One question I asked myself is why does every French boy seem to lose his virginity to a prostitute?<<
The answer is similar to another question:
Q: Why does Paris plant trees on both sides of the street?
A : So the invading army can walk in the shade on both sides
It's pretty sad if ya gotta pay for it !
12 Monkeys (1995) - Terry Gilliam
Well strange, and familiar. Familiar for two reasons, first of which was that I had seen the film before, many years ago when it was still somewhat new. The second reason is that I now understand the blatantly obvious references to La Jettee.
Bruce Willis was fantastic in the film. Brad Pitt had an easy role, because I believe nothing is easier for an actor than to play someone that's insane, but even with the easy role, he was still better than his overblown lame turn in Troy.
I also thought Madeline Stowe was terrific in the film (in addition to being incredibly beautiful.)
True, watching the film I realized, she hasn't done too much lately.
Well tonight's viewing was a double feature.
One False Move (1991) - Carl Franklin
Enjoyable, violent film. It did have the predisposition of a late night Showtime movie, but it did elevate itself above that. This came on a high recommendation from a film teacher of mine. Not necessarily a brilliant film, but few are these days. Billy Bob Thornton clearly was the most dominating character in the film, and I think his work here was great.
Talk Radio (1988) - Oliver Stone
Well when a DVD is $6, it's hard to pass up. This film came during Stone's greatest creative burst, and it shows. Perhaps not up to Platoon or Salvador, it is close. Stone had a lot to say, and was extremely confident in saying it. I'm not sure exactly what's up with him now, his scale seems to have gotten too big. Like Scorsese, Stone is best when he's not trying so damn hard to be spectacular. He is much better when he's free flowing. Talk Radio allows for more philosophical jargin than usual, but hey Stone is a man who seldom doesn't have an opinion about something. As simple as the film was though, I still found it great.
Midnight screening of Revenge of the Sith, jam packed, very hot but a good atmosphere. George has referenced a lot of scenes from the original trilogy in an effort to appease the fans who weren't too happy with episodes 1 & 2. I'll probably see it again before writing any sort of review because I did feel tired especially in the heat.
Cheers Trev.
Yeah, it's a solid crime drama. Thornton co-wrote it. Franklin also directed Devil in a Blue Dress, which is a worthy low-key noir, starring Denzel Washington.Quote:
Originally posted by wpqx
One False Move (1991) - Carl Franklin
Enjoyable, violent film. It did have the predisposition of a late night Showtime movie, but it did elevate itself above that.
I really enjoyed "One False Move" I thought Thornton's turn was amazing, but I also really enjoyed Bill Paxton who brought so much humor, genuineness, and real emotion to his role particularly the sub-plot between he and the "big city" cops.
I think I was watching "Siskel & Ebert" sometime in the early 90's when they recommended it on video as a film not to be missed.
The Dreamers (2003) - dir Bernardo Bertolucci
A film like this is meant to recall some nostalgia. Bertolucci trying to make a New Wave film several decades after the fact. Rather than recalling all those great films that are referenced, I recall Bertolucci's own Before the Revolution (which I'm dying for on DVD). That was a film that was honest and real. It was Bertolucci trying to find his voice in cinema, straddling the fence between his Italian roots, and the New Wave he adored so much. Before the Revolution was a film made about the love of cinema at an important time, during that time. The Dreamers is like a mid-life crisis run amuck. Bertolucci seems to miss his youth, when he was discovering life through the cinemateque.
Nevertheless I did enjoy the film, and it seems better than most of Bertolucci's more recent work. I did find the characters to all ring false however, and couldn't identify with anyone, which isn't to say I disliked their performances. Bertolucci I think may have a hard time working in such a small time frame. This film could be much larger, and much more ambitious, but the politics of the day are never explained. It is never explained why students are in the streets, and why they need to be violent, Bertolucci is either assuming we already know what was going on, or that it isn't important. If he placed as much emphasis on the politics as he did on the strange triangular love affair, this film might have been three hours, but possibly better.
Sadie Thompson (1928) - Raoul Walsh
There was a time when Walsh was quite the auteur. This film he was writer, director, and played the romantic lead. Walsh's acting career took a nose dive after In Old Arizona, when an accident cost him his eye. His scriptwriting days seemed to vanish shortly after when was absorbed into first Fox studios, and later Warner Bros. This film was the brain child of producer/star Gloria Swanson (yes the same one from Sunset Boulevard). She is the star, make no mistake about it, and she does her usual best to be larger than life. Walsh's performance holds up probably the best in the film, being firmly between silent projection, and below the melodramatic heights that Lionel Barrymore and Swanson go to. Personally I never thought Lionel was a great actor, likeable at times, but John Barrymore always seemed to act rings around him.
As for the film, well it is a product of its time. The plot may be difficult for some to understand, wondering how a missionary could have government influence, and what the hell exactly Swanson's Sadie was doing wrong in the first place, but we need to accept this. And for 96 minutes or so we need to remember the film as a picture from 1928. The ending was apparently butchered, so when that approaches all of a sudden production stills take the place of action, which ALWAYS breaks the mood. One of the reason why I wasn't particularly blown away by the restoration of Greed. I couldn't help but lose some emotion seeing live action replaced by still life. The film isn't great by any standards, but you can watch it as a high point in Swanson's career. Ironically she looks better as the "reformed" Sadie than the dolled up harlot. But fashion has changed, and the twenties look went out of style, well in the twenties. Let's you know though that before the drag queen looking Norma Desmond, she actually was quite naturally beautiful, with two big eyes made for silent cinema.