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This is one of those obscure war films that pop up from time to time. No big Hollywood names, no big Hollywood budget. Bottom line it is not a bad film. Has parallels with Force 10 from Navarone and The Dirty Dozen. The work was not without flaws but overall enjoyable.
Last edited by spookiemoviemania; 10-07-18 at 09:44 PM.
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I loved this...
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"Miss Jean Louise, Mr. Arthur Radley."
"Miss Jean Louise, Mr. Arthur Radley."
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A Star is Born
Director: Bradley Cooper
Director: Bradley Cooper
This one is practically the start-point of the Oscar season films, and you'll have a hard time finding a stronger stepping stone to the slate of hard-hitting dramas. This is Bradley Cooper's directorial debut, he's become very popular in the acting game as he has proven himself a notable artist, now he takes his passion for the arts to showcase on two new levels: directing, and vocal performance, does he deliver? Oh does he ever, this film about an acclaimed and extremely successful country singer who falls for a bar performer with huge passion and little luck is immaculate. What follows is two hours of intimacy, art, soaring music to contrast a colossally emotional tale, and an elevated love story that might just feel timeless.
Bradley Cooper delivers on all fronts, his acting is magnificent, he puts on his character like an article of clothing and just completely becomes him. His singing is beyond serviceable, it is not hard to buy that this character has been through it all in the music industry. His directing, particularly for a first-timer is pretty great, he knows exactly how to execute the different beats that make up the story. Lady Gaga, there's no other way to describe her, she's completely jaw-dropping, she's the true embodiment of a superstar, a revelation. She brings so much passion, fire, innocence and intensity to her character, it would be foolish to dismiss her artistry, because she has it all. The soundtrack is great. The film does a commendable job at balancing the singing career fiasco with the love story fiasco, and it turn, it delivers thought-provoking themes on both: the downfall of one's passion for art to produce commercial art and the effects of the latter on a strong relationship.
My only flaw is really that the film was noticeably a little too long, it's a tricky thing to dissect because it is Cooper's directorial debut, and he was just too married to every single shot. I look at specific moments and I think: "yeah, twenty minutes could've been easily shaven off". I'll retract from giving this a perfect score considering that problem, but I smell many repeat viewings for this film. Guys, watch this, it's inspiring filmmaking about artistry, love and passion, executed with the right amount of heart and tragedy. Beautiful.
SCORE - 94/100
I don't know if the Oscar season started as much as it ended with this. Cooper is going to end up earning 3-5 Oscar nominations himselffor this film (Producing, writing, acting, directing and he wrote a song). The real question is how well does it do in the song category because that could push it towards most nominations all-time if it sweeps(and it could sweep).
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Burning (2018) (Dir. Lee Chang-dong)
A bit too muted and implicit for my taste but it is interesting to see a thriller done with such tact and nuance. It's a nice twist on a South Korean standard which doesn't brutalize the audience or even clue them in very often. It's quite literary, and I think the lack of an inner voice to help ferry us through the thought process which you find in a novel conveys our protagonist's lack of thought, as does Yoo Ah-in's slack jawed performance. Only upon beginning to finally write does he find agency in the story. I admire it, but sitting through it was kind of a chore.
Thoroughbreds (2017) (Dir. Cory Finely)
A bit too muted and implicit for my taste but it is interesting to see a thriller done with such tact and nuance. It's a nice twist on a South Korean standard which doesn't brutalize the audience or even clue them in very often. It's quite literary, and I think the lack of an inner voice to help ferry us through the thought process which you find in a novel conveys our protagonist's lack of thought, as does Yoo Ah-in's slack jawed performance. Only upon beginning to finally write does he find agency in the story. I admire it, but sitting through it was kind of a chore.
Thoroughbreds (2017) (Dir. Cory Finely)
Friday the 13th (2009) -
hey guys is it me or are these movies a little repetitive
hey guys is it me or are these movies a little repetitive
I don't know if the Oscar season started as much as it ended with this. Cooper is going to end up earning 3-5 Oscar nominations himselffor this film (Producing, writing, acting, directing and he wrote a song). The real question is how well does it do in the song category because that could push it towards most nominations all-time if it sweeps(and it could sweep).
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idontknowwhatiexpected.gif
Hostel -
was thinking a 1.5 but now I'm questioning if it's actually better than the Friday the 13th remake
Hostel -
was thinking a 1.5 but now I'm questioning if it's actually better than the Friday the 13th remake
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I really just want you all angry and confused the whole time.
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Enjoyed it though I feel I’ve seen this movie many times before.
Enjoyed it.
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I’m here only on Mondays, Wednesdays & Fridays. That’s why I’m here now.
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Burning (2018) (Dir. Lee Chang-dong)
A bit too muted and implicit for my taste but it is interesting to see a thriller done with such tact and nuance. It's a nice twist on a South Korean standard which doesn't brutalize the audience or even clue them in very often. It's quite literary, and I think the lack of an inner voice to help ferry us through the thought process which you find in a novel conveys our protagonist's lack of thought, as does Yoo Ah-in's slack jawed performance. Only upon beginning to finally write does he find agency in the story. I admire it, but sitting through it was kind of a chore.
Thoroughbreds (2017) (Dir. Cory Finely)
A bit too muted and implicit for my taste but it is interesting to see a thriller done with such tact and nuance. It's a nice twist on a South Korean standard which doesn't brutalize the audience or even clue them in very often. It's quite literary, and I think the lack of an inner voice to help ferry us through the thought process which you find in a novel conveys our protagonist's lack of thought, as does Yoo Ah-in's slack jawed performance. Only upon beginning to finally write does he find agency in the story. I admire it, but sitting through it was kind of a chore.
Thoroughbreds (2017) (Dir. Cory Finely)
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I think "A Star is Born" is gonna be too sugary sweet to win a lot, in light of how many noms it gets.
There is a lot of speculation that it was released so early and a fatigue will set in. Also, released early in light of it's upcoming competition. Get Out was one of the few early (way early) films to carry steam, but that was due to being something no one had ever seen before.
Then again there is this maybe? pop-movie category. We shall see.
There is a lot of speculation that it was released so early and a fatigue will set in. Also, released early in light of it's upcoming competition. Get Out was one of the few early (way early) films to carry steam, but that was due to being something no one had ever seen before.
Then again there is this maybe? pop-movie category. We shall see.
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Second viewing -
Snooze factor rating = Zzzz
[Snooze Factor Ratings]:
Z = didn't nod off at all
Zz = nearly nodded off but managed to stay alert
Zzz = nodded off and missed some of the film but went back to watch what I missed
Zzzz = nodded off and missed some of the film but went back to watch what I missed but nodded off again at the same point and therefore needed to go back a number of times before I got through it...
Zzzzz = nodded off and missed some or the rest of the film but was not interested enough to go back over it
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Final Portrait. 2017
This is a low key movie about three weeks in the 60s when the writer James Lord sat for a portrait by the artist Alberto Giacometti. Based on recollections from Lord, what we are really seeing is a portrait of an artist and his process. It's also as much a memoir/documentary as a movie. And although there is not a whole lot of traditional 'storyline' to the narrative, I found that the depiction of the artist and his creative process was so authentic, I felt I met and knew him through this film.
...
As I said, I enjoyed the film, But then, after seeing it, I knew Giacometti. And how can you not enjoy a movie about someone you have met and known personally?
RATING: four out of five stars
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This is a low key movie about three weeks in the 60s when the writer James Lord sat for a portrait by the artist Alberto Giacometti. Based on recollections from Lord, what we are really seeing is a portrait of an artist and his process. It's also as much a memoir/documentary as a movie. And although there is not a whole lot of traditional 'storyline' to the narrative, I found that the depiction of the artist and his creative process was so authentic, I felt I met and knew him through this film.
...
As I said, I enjoyed the film, But then, after seeing it, I knew Giacometti. And how can you not enjoy a movie about someone you have met and known personally?
RATING: four out of five stars
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Geoffrey Rush turns in another perfect performance. It didn't hurt that he even LOOKS like Giacometti. And the rest of the cast are first rate; even Armie Hammer, who is not my most favorite actor. The actresses playing his wife and his mistress are delightful, as is Tony Shalhoub, playing Giacometti's brother.
The narrative turns a bit tedious, with scene after scene of the sittings with Rush at the easel. I suspect some license was taken with the truth, as this would be the second telling (Lord's book, then the screenplay by Lord & Tucci). But the artistic process as you have highlighted it shines light on what some artists of all stripes go through. I have been personally privy to the process, and Giacometti's emotional roller coaster is not uncommon.
The cinematography with the coloring by Danny Cohen is remarkable, as is the first rate score by Evan Lurie-- which is memorable.
This is a film that will not be seen by a wide audience, but it shows what a labor of love can produce. This was undoubtedly a small budget film, whose characters were surely happily undertaken by some very talented actors.
Thanks for the tip!
~Doc
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Mandingo (1975)
This had the flavor of an exploitation movie but I wonder if that was the intention. It's from a respected and successful director, is a pretty good production, and has a decent cast including James Mason. It was most definitely an inspiration for Quentin Tarantino's Django Unchained, and there's even a minor character that looks like the one Leonardo DiCaprio played. It's melodramatic, disturbing, and fun, but it's not excessive.
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Last edited by spookiemoviemania; 10-09-18 at 12:36 AM.
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His character is named Rudy aka Rudolph. His cellmate that gets him into the mess is Nick aka Saint Nick aka Santa Clause.
Apparently there was a lot the studio forced to get cut turning it into a steaming pile.
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