Different Standards for Enjoying Movies
I believe that people's experiences filter their appreciation of movies. Those who have extensive experience in particular areas such as music or military ops will have a distinctively different standard by which to enjoy a movie. Thus those who have experienced quality musical productions and heard the best singers will have an ear that will filter less experienced singing. So with Le Miz, what I experienced interestingly was a heightened enjoyment of the songs in the movie because I was able to understand and feel most of the lyrics and music being sung as well as the close up visual non-verbal essence of the sung which from psychological standpoint is an much or even more important than then actual singing itself from a communication stand point. Thus when I talk about musicals and the common person, it's possible to approach a movie and experience it using a standard that's different from those in the profession. It's not about people singing badly because they aren't specialists, but about people singing decently who can be clearly understood sufficiently to get the essence of the emotion and thoughts against in a way that connects to the audience, such isn't the requirement of having the best singers singing these songs - in some cases it's about actors who can perform and get across important underlying themes using the form of music and singing, not about the music and singing itself.
A Musical Should Remain A Musical?
Oh my...To insist on a rigid conformity to some genre standard would be to corral the art form of films into distinct categories which then by there very nature would have distinct different standards by which to judge them, like the Golden Globes as opposed to the more generalized field of the Academy of Arts and Sciences.
Even if one were to thus restrict Les Miserable to the criteria for musicals, one might instead insist that the movie be judged on a period drama epic standard instead. I don't consider Les Miserable a musical as it was filmed, but rather a period drama epic that uses music and lyrics and live recorded music to reflect a more authentic realism and to which to better express the message of human pain and suffering and the jovial joy of pick pockets.
In the end, the subjective nature of this discussion, like abortion will likely preclude the ability to discuss this movie with the same language or communication as the differences of the perception and how this movie is rated are so different.
cinemabon is at his finest with Moonrise Kingdom
Between Chris Knipp and cinemabon they combine to produce some of the most clear, compelling, and interesting reviews that strike directly home to the essence of movies. Here with Moonrise Kingdom, cinemabon has created his little own work of art in his commentary on this movie.
Nominate Moonrise Kingdom in Place of...
To answer Chris Knipp's question about what movie one might replace Moonrise Kingdom as best picture of the Oscars, I would select Zero Dark Thirty or Lincoln. Since I haven't seen Amour or Beasts of the Southern Wild, I would be more circumspect, but neither of their trailers caught much of my attention or interest. I also haven't see Django Unchained, but it's on my list of movie I will see, but I suspect I won't like it as much as some other people have.
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel
Sunday, January 20, 2013
The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel – directed by John Madden
Seeing them all lined up at the airport, you are looking at the current “best of British Actors” group (or nearly so). It must have been a hoot on the set – the stories and all. With the age of the characters firmly established from the start as being the basis for the film’s humor, we can expect jokes about death, bowel movements, and missing sex – the usual. (Dirty Old Men, etc) Some of those jokes are used initially, along with nostalgia for one’s past. Looking back with regrets seems a common theme in movies about the elderly. But the script is more about living one’s life in the present as opposed to one’s past. In addition to the rich Indian setting and its colorful markets (chosen by director Madden specifically for that purpose) the film relies almost entirely on the performances of its core of “veteran” British “Old Vic” actors. What an ensemble Madden collected! Maggie Smith is a two time Oscar winner. Judi Dench also has an Academy Award. Tom Wilkinson has been nominated twice. The rest of the cast has appeared in numerous films over the past three decades or longer. Bill Nighy and Ronald Pickup started in British television back in the 1960’s.
The plot and situation are somewhat contrived. All seven happen to be retiring at the same time and find themselves with very limited funds on which to live. They all see an ad to live cheaply in India by staying at a retirement hotel called the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel. An explanation for the name is never given by the manager, Sonny (Dev Patel of “Slumdog Millionaire” fame). When the group arrives, they discover no shuttle bus from the airport and must take public transportation (the first of many inconveniences). Sonny is painting as they arrive. The beds are unmade. The phones don’t work. Some rooms have no doors and air conditioning is non-existent. To say the place is a work in progress is to be kind. However, most of the hardy group takes this all in stride. Despite the hardship, they gradually adapt to the new life and begin to discover an aspect to their lives missing for a long time – an ability to feel needed. Each person begins to find their place in this Indian locale except for the wife of one guest, Jean (Penelope Winton). She doesn’t like India, is a nervous woman and frequently voices her complaints (an annoyance at best). Their marriage is falling apart. Rather than leaving her, the husband continues to support the wife until she finally sees the handwriting on the wall and simply walks away from their relationship. She returns to England, leaving her husband behind.
I purposely have left out most of the film’s story. I do not wish to spoil this film for anyone else so I won’t go further into the plot. Like “Moonrise Kingdom” this is a small independent film that has gained a reputation since its premiere last February in the UK. “Marigold Hotel” has become one of the highest grossing independent films of last year bringing in nearly $140 million US dollars worldwide, second only to “Moonrise Kingdom.” The film was nominated for two Golden Globes but did not make Oscar’s list this year. Since I could not view “Amour” on video (streaming) and “The Master” is also not available (unless I buy the DVD), I chose this film and tomorrow intend to see “Beasts of the Southern Wild” via streaming.
Post Script: My bad about info on "Wiz of Oz" as I was misinformed and the first sound film. Thanks, Oscar.