| Author |
Message |
|
| billyweeds |
 Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 1:24 am |
 |
|
Joined: 20 May 2004
Posts: 20618
Location: New York City
|
We Bought a Zoo is not remotely a great film, but it is utterly charming and appeaing. Scarlett Johansson is more attractive than she's ever been before, and her chemistry with Damon is remarkable. But that's the least of it. Damon, as the single dad of two children who is still comng to grips with the death of his wife, is a genuine star and a genuine actor and his relationship with his difficult 14-year-old son is real and gripping.
In a post-screening Q&A, Damon talked about how he and Cameron Crowe were cognizant of the challenges of making a famiy film set in a zoo and not being Disney about it. They've succeeded. You laugh, you cry, your heart is warmed, but you don't hate yourself in the morning.
Damon in person, btw, is a great guy. Despite (or because of) a strong penchant for the f-and-s-bomb and a mantra-like use of "at the end of the day," he's real people and good people and provided the most down-to-earth Q&A of the many, many I've seen this year. |
|
|
| Back to top |
  
|
| Ghulam |
| Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 1:58 am |
|
|
Joined: 20 May 2004
Posts: 4742
Location: Upstate NY
|
Hugo has the best 3-D visual effects I have ever seen (I haven't seen many 3-D movies). It is supposed to be a children's movie, but I don't think children will like it as much as several other children's movies running now. It celebrates the scientific inventions of early 20th century from windup toys to Scorsesi's first love, moving pictures. But his enthusiasm is less infectious here than in some of his documentaries.
. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
| Marc |
| Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 4:30 am |
|
|
Joined: 19 May 2004
Posts: 8424
|
A second viewing of Hugo confirms it as one on the best films of the year and a masterful work from a master. To not see it in 3D is a crime. The movie uses perspective in all kinds of magical ways. And to see some of George Melies early classics in 3D is a real treat. Melies would have loved the 3D trick.
Word of mouth on Hugo is super upbeat and is probably what's fueling it's Oscar chances. To reduce the film to a story about a boy in a clock is like calling Vertigo a movie about Kim Novak's hairdo.
Joe, it seems you look for any excuse not to see any current films. What's up with that? Such closed mindedness from a teacher and poet. Why not take the occasional chance and make up your own mind?
Hugo is a shoe-in for Oscar nods for cinematography, set design, costumes, editing and perhaps direction. I'd like to see Sacha Baron Cohen,
Asa Butterfield, Chloë Grace Moretz get some acting noms.
Hugo hasn't opened Internationally yet. I expect to see a big foreign turnout for this one.
I saw Hugo the second time for free. I kept my 3D glasses from my first viewing. When I went to see it again, I put on the glasses and walked right into the theater without anyone asking me a for a ticket. Yes, I felt a little guilty for not adding to Hugo's boxoffice take, but the matinee screening was sparsely attended and between Mirgun and I, I had already spent $35 for the first go around.
I have a problem with the added surcharge for 3D. My way around it is to keep the 3D glasses and buy a ticket for a 2D film and then slip into the 3D one.
Okay, web police, arrest me. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
| billyweeds |
| Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 5:25 am |
|
|
|
Joined: 20 May 2004
Posts: 20618
Location: New York City
|
| I would have preferred a documentary about film preservation to a soap opera about an elderly filmmaker who has lost his dreams. I think the former might have been more deeply felt. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
| billyweeds |
| Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 5:25 am |
|
|
|
Joined: 20 May 2004
Posts: 20618
Location: New York City
|
|
| Back to top |
|
| billyweeds |
| Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 7:42 am |
|
|
|
Joined: 20 May 2004
Posts: 20618
Location: New York City
|
Matt Damon is overdue for an acting Oscar, but this year ain't gonna be the charm. Although he's better than good in The Adjustment Bureau and We Bought a Zoo and Contagion, none of them are "Oscar-type" roles. Nevertheless, he's fast becoming my favorite male movie star.
He also has a remarkable ability to connect with women on screen--not always sexually, but sometimes just as people. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
| bartist |
| Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 10:11 am |
|
|
|
Joined: 27 Apr 2010
Posts: 6961
Location: Black Hills
|
I think the local theater chain is onto the people who do Marc's 3D glasses trick, as they schedule showings of the 2D version at a different multiplex, or at least at wildly different times if at the same one as the 3D.
WBAZ looks like a rental, if cash is flying out of your wallet this time of year and you don't get free passes from SAG. |
_________________
He was wise beyond his years, but only by a few days. |
|
| Back to top |
|
| billyweeds |
| Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 10:31 am |
|
|
|
Joined: 20 May 2004
Posts: 20618
Location: New York City
|
bartist wrote:
WBAZ looks like a rental, if cash is flying out of your wallet this time of year and you don't get free passes from SAG.
Much as I'd like to see the movie make some cash, I agree WBAZ is the walking, talking definition of a perfect rental. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
| Joe Vitus |
| Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 11:11 am |
|
|
Joined: 20 May 2004
Posts: 14498
Location: Houston
|
| As far as I can remember, I've never liked a Martin Scorsese movie. I've admired many of them. Recognized impressive technique, daring story lines, dark humor, great performances. Liked? Nope, can't say I ever have. So the hoopla over any Scorsese movie's release generally falls on deaf ears with me. |
_________________
You've got a great brain. You should keep it in your head.
-Topher |
|
| Back to top |
|
| chillywilly |
| Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 11:47 am |
|
|
Joined: 20 May 2004
Posts: 8251
Location: Salt Lake City
|
billyweeds wrote: We Bought a Zoo is not remotely a great film, but it is utterly charming and appeaing. Scarlett Johansson is more attractive than she's ever been before, and her chemistry with Damon is remarkable. But that's the least of it. Damon, as the single dad of two children who is still comng to grips with the death of his wife, is a genuine star and a genuine actor and his relationship with his difficult 14-year-old son is real and gripping.
In a post-screening Q&A, Damon talked about how he and Cameron Crowe were cognizant of the challenges of making a famiy film set in a zoo and not being Disney about it. They've succeeded. You laugh, you cry, your heart is warmed, but you don't hate yourself in the morning.
Damon in person, btw, is a great guy. Despite (or because of) a strong penchant for the f-and-s-bomb and a mantra-like use of "at the end of the day," he's real people and good people and provided the most down-to-earth Q&A of the many, many I've seen this year.
Very jealous your screening had a Q&A with Damon. Since Good Will Hunting I've been a fan of his work. Not everything he's done is golden, but he shines in WBAZ. But as you stated in another post, it's not quite Oscar.
Glad you liked this movie. And I agree that they really tried to make it a genuine film and kept out Disney-eque attributes.
I know you and I share the love of Sideways. What did you think of Thomas Haden Church's performance in WBAZ? |
_________________
Chilly
"If you should die before me / Ask if you could bring a friend" |
|
| Back to top |
 
|
| chillywilly |
| Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 11:49 am |
|
|
|
Joined: 20 May 2004
Posts: 8251
Location: Salt Lake City
|
Marc wrote: A second viewing of Hugo confirms it as one on the best films of the year and a masterful work from a master. To not see it in 3D is a crime. The movie uses perspective in all kinds of magical ways. And to see some of George Melies early classics in 3D is a real treat. Melies would have loved the 3D trick.
As much as I loathe most 3D movies, the buzz for seeing Hugo in 3D is bigger than I expected. |
_________________
Chilly
"If you should die before me / Ask if you could bring a friend" |
|
| Back to top |
|
| carrobin |
| Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 12:02 pm |
|
|
|
Joined: 21 May 2004
Posts: 7795
Location: NYC
|
| Matt Damon was always too much of a pretty-boy-movie-star for me to be much of a fan, but he won me over as Liz's boyfriend Carroll on "30 Rock." |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
| billyweeds |
| Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 12:19 pm |
|
|
|
Joined: 20 May 2004
Posts: 20618
Location: New York City
|
chillywilly wrote:
I know you and I share the love of Sideways. What did you think of Thomas Haden Church's performance in WBAZ?
I am a huge THC fan. I loved him this year not only in WBAZ but also in a much more serious role in Another Happy Day. He's found a niche and works it wonderfully, but he wrings changes on it. These two roles are a fine case in point. In AHD he plays the same world-weary cynic, but with several crucial differences. See it by all means. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
| knox |
| Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 12:31 pm |
|
|
|
Joined: 18 Mar 2010
Posts: 1246
Location: St. Louis
|
carrobin wrote: Matt Damon was always too much of a pretty-boy-movie-star for me to be much of a fan, but he won me over as Liz's boyfriend Carroll on "30 Rock."
Haven't been a regular, but liked the ones I saw with "Carroll Burnett" -- great name and hommage (or should I call it "femmage" ? ). Will be back in the Thursday lineup, Jan. 12, before Parks & Rec.
To keep this thread relevant, I'll add that THC had a good supp. role in the Razzie-garnering "All About Steve." Also "Easy A." Plenty of THC to go round. |
|
|
| Back to top |
|
| chillywilly |
| Posted: Tue Dec 06, 2011 1:03 pm |
|
|
|
Joined: 20 May 2004
Posts: 8251
Location: Salt Lake City
|
| Adding Another Happy Day to my must see list. |
_________________
Chilly
"If you should die before me / Ask if you could bring a friend" |
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
