The Fifth Hall of Fame

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I rewatched Quills today, my sixteenth and final watch for this HOF. I've also submitted my ballot, but I'll still be monitoring this thread and participating in future discussion.

With this being a rewatch and one that I've seen numerous times, obviously I can't say that I was as blown away by it as I was the first few times I saw it, but it still resonated really strongly with me.

As someone who writes fiction (as a hobby) I am a lover of words and the dialogue in this film is right up my alley - perverse, irreverent, and witty. I find myself laughing at this movie far more than 99% of the comedies I've seen. The scene in the theater in particular is one of the funniest things I've seen in any movie.

But besides the humor, the film is bolstered by some incredible performances. Geoffrey Rush disappears into his role, chewing up the screen with great intensity and zeal. Kate Winslet and Amelia Warner both ignite their characters with a great spark of wonder and delight. And this is the film that made me love Joaquin Phoenix. In lesser hands, I don't think the Abbe du Coulmier would've been as sympathetic. For being a central character, he didn't have a lot to actually say - but Phoenix has never been an actor who relies heavily on dialogue. Everything that needs to be conveyed he gets across with a look or a gesture. And it's really in his eyes that you see the transformation of this humane, benevolent man of the cloth into the monster who sinks into depravity and allows himself to participate in absolutely barbaric acts.

I know some have criticized the film for its blatant historical rewriting and for the over the top nature of the events and characters, but Quills was never meant to be a biopic. It's a work of fiction and I don't think it pretends to be otherwise. To me it never tries to be a history lesson, it is instead a love letter to the idea of the Marquis de Sade and the libertine ideals he represents.

In case anyone's interested, I also did a write up for the movie back in 2012 for the MoFo Millennium Countdown. Here's the link to that write up: http://www.movieforums.com/community...122#post846122



Chappie doesn't like the real world
I really enjoyed Quills. Like you, I really enjoy good dialogue so that in itself endeared the movie to me. Rush was spectacular. I always like Rush even if I don't particularly care for the movie and I felt like he took his role and ran with it.

Phoenix was great as usual. He is a such a talented actor and the guy has range. Winslet was even ok for me and I'm not her biggest fan.

I also have no problem with a film taking a piece of history or a historical person and rewriting it. Sometimes it can inspire me to find out more about the actual event or person, but I don't expect or even want the movie to be accurate. I wish I would have watched it awhile ago. For some reason I didn't think I was going to care for it much, but it ended up being a movie that I will want to return to again.

I also watched Unforgiven again. It's been years since I've seen it. I was a little concerned that I would change my opinion to a negative one because I don't think much of Eastwood as a director in general, but this and The Outlaw Josey Wales are his two great (directed) movies as far as I am concerned.

4 down 12 to go.



I just realized I totally neglected to mention Michael Caine. He is deliciously evil as the manipulative and cruel Dr. Royer-Collard.

I really enjoyed Quills. Like you, I really enjoy good dialogue so that in itself endeared the movie to me. Rush was spectacular. I always like Rush even if I don't particularly care for the movie and I felt like he took his role and ran with it.

Phoenix was great as usual. He is a such a talented actor and the guy has range. Winslet was even ok for me and I'm not her biggest fan.

I also have no problem with a film taking a piece of history or a historical person and rewriting it. Sometimes it can inspire me to find out more about the actual event or person, but I don't expect or even want the movie to be accurate. I wish I would have watched it awhile ago. For some reason I didn't think I was going to care for it much, but it ended up being a movie that I will want to return to again.
Glad you liked it so much. I always get a little worried when introducing people to it. I think it's a really fun film to watch but unfortunately a lot of people seem to get blinded by all the sex stuff and miss the actual substance it contains.

I don't think much of Eastwood as a director in general.
I'm not a fan of Eastwood in general and I wasn't blown away by Unforgiven, but one movie of his that does really impress me is A Perfect World. I highly recommend it if you haven't seen it. Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil was quite good, too.



This page has been bookmarked without me reading anything on it. A MV rewatch of her favourite film, and a detailed review of said film from Godoggo has me gripped . When i watch Quills myself, i'll be sure to consult this page because it seems to be a highly discussable film.



Chappie doesn't like the real world
I'm confused, Camo. You remember your apart of this group, right?

@ Miss Vicky: Sex stuff doesn't bother me as in I'm not offended by it, but sometimes when it's a focal point of a movie I don't relate or it doesn't interest me. This wasn't the case with Quills. I found it highly entertaining and a lot more going on.

I haven't seen A Perfect World. I liked Midnight of Garden and Evil ok, but I just thought it could have been a lot better.



I haven't seen A Perfect World. I liked Midnight of Garden and Evil ok, but I just thought it could have been a lot better.
A Perfect World is a really emotional and well crafted film. It's one I actually have in mind as a nomination if I participate in the next HOF.



A Perfect World is a really emotional and well crafted film. It's one I actually have in mind as a nomination if I participate in the next HOF.
A Perfect World is the one film i can say emotionally destroyed me, as a kid i was ready for anything until i saw this. Watched films like The Exorcist, Goodfellas, Casino, etc, before i was 13, but the death of Kevin Costner in; A Perfect World still gets to me.



I think I like Quills as much as I can possibly like a movie like that. Like Miss Vicky said, the scene at the theater is one if the funniest scenes I have ever seen.



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I'm in the middle of Plein Soleil right now. I'll finish it tonight.

Miss Vicky I hope you are in for the next one, you've been a good addition to the HOF committee certainly.

I've got a few possibilities for the next one, but its always hard to decide which route to take with this sort of stuff.

I'm disappointed that nobody much cares for Eastwood as he is one of my favorites.




I'm disappointed that nobody much cares for Eastwood as he is one of my favorites.
Guess who? I have four of his movies in my top 100 and another four or five I like.

Glad to see some A Perfect World love. Very under rated movie.
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Unforgiven was in my top 40 last time I did a favorite's list. It's been about 5 years since I've seen it but I doubt anything has changed.



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Plein Soleil- an interesting little thriller with an interesting concept certainly. It's the wildcard of my list because I liked it well enough yet I wasn't completely fascinated by anything in the film. I would have liked a different ending to the film though, but overall it is a film that at least kept me on the edge of my seat and the movie was very well paced with very little lull if any.



Plein Soleil- an interesting little thriller with an interesting concept certainly. It's the wildcard of my list because I liked it well enough yet I wasn't completely fascinated by anything in the film. I would have liked a different ending to the film though, but overall it is a film that at least kept me on the edge of my seat and the movie was very well paced with very little lull if any.
Have you seen Talented Mr. Ripley?