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jeffl
Supporter
Username: Jeffl
Post Number: 953
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 27, 2005 - 1:34 am: |     |
Just sat through almost 3 hours of The Aviator. 11 Academy Award nominations? I thought it was absolutely awful. Am I alone on this? |
gozerbrown
Citizen
Username: Gozerbrown
Post Number: 641
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, January 27, 2005 - 8:11 am: | |
I haven't seen the movie. I steer clear of things over 2 1/2 hours. Even 2 1/2 is pushing it. A friend of mine who saw it said that he really wasn't that exciting a person to have made a movie about. I probably won't see it, as it is just way too long. |
sbenois
Citizen
Username: Sbenois
Post Number: 13027
Registered: 10-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 27, 2005 - 8:18 am: | |
I thought it was great. In fact, I've seen it three times! |
Duncan
Supporter
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 3851
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 27, 2005 - 8:58 am: | |
Ah, the 21st century attention span issue rears its head again. This is not a criticism gozer...by no means.Just an observation. I just miss the times when going to the movies was an event. I remember when in Boston, they would screen the 3+ hour movies at the Wang Center and it was a blast. Gone with the Wind, Lawrence of Arabia which includes one of my favorite pieces of cinematic trivia(Although 216 minutes long, this film has no women in speaking roles)or even Reds.
I know that every script people send me to be an "indie feature" is usually 90 pages. approx 90 minutes.
All these gadgets to give us more time and we seem to have less of it. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 3757
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 27, 2005 - 10:20 am: | |
Duncan - funny you should mention the attention span thing. We watched Funny Girl the other day & halfway thru, there was an "Intermission" frame. Which I interpret to mean that, in the early 1960s, people also couldn't sit thru 3 hours, but were willing to take a break and come back. As you said, movies were an event that people made time for.
I also seem to remember that My Fair Lady has an intermission, too.
I have to admit that I am reluctant to go to movies if I know they are 3 hours because very few are good enough to be that long. 
I didn't know that Gangs of NY was so long, or I might have avoided it. But, I loved it and was amazed that I'd been sitting 3 hours at the end.
Jeff- haven't seen Aviator yet, but I want to. I know the feeling, tho. TS and I are still the only ones we both know who detested Cider House Rules. |
gozerbrown
Citizen
Username: Gozerbrown
Post Number: 642
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, January 27, 2005 - 11:17 am: | |
It's just a personal preference of mine. I'd rather be reading a book than sitting in front of a screen for 2+ hours. Sometimes I feel that way going to plays or musical events with intermissions. Also, as far as movies, special effects and all that stuff that sometimes make movies long don't really impress me that much.
Maybe that is why I like independent movies...they aren't usually too long. Although a couple of weeks ago, when we rented Blazing Saddles, I was relieved it was only a little over 90 minutes. No need to beat a dead horse (no pun intended). |
Duncan
Supporter
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 3856
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 27, 2005 - 11:23 am: | |
Hey Gozer.. I got a couple of under 15 minute films if you want.  Pretty soon I will have the third. Watch for a Mwood screening party at H2TA if Art's offer still stands. |
jet
Citizen
Username: Jet
Post Number: 717
Registered: 7-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 27, 2005 - 3:19 pm: | |
I thought it stunk , he was wrong for the part , it was to long , Miss Stifani had no impact on the screen , but both Kates did a great job . The hardware store guy from DeadWood would have been a much better HH . The only award here should be Ms Blanchard. |
greenetree
Supporter
Username: Greenetree
Post Number: 3764
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 27, 2005 - 3:29 pm: | |
One of my favorite movie critic lines of all times was Rex Reed talking about the love scene between DiCaprio and Winslet in Titanic:
"It was like watching a chihuahua mount a German Shepard".
To be honest, the only part I've ever believed him in was Abignale in "Catch Me if You Can". |
gozerbrown
Citizen
Username: Gozerbrown
Post Number: 643
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Thursday, January 27, 2005 - 3:57 pm: | |
Hey Duncan,
I've already seen two of your short films. You loaned them to my husband a few months back. (You don't know me, but you know him). Good work! |
Duncan
Supporter
Username: Duncanrogers
Post Number: 3859
Registered: 12-2001
| | Posted on Thursday, January 27, 2005 - 6:37 pm: | |
Gozer now I am all confused. But the second one is MUCH better than it was back then. |
jeffl
Supporter
Username: Jeffl
Post Number: 954
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 28, 2005 - 12:33 am: | |
1900 is one of my all time favorite movies. It must have been 3+ hours. Sbenois - I just don't get it. I definitely shouldn't have had two beers before I went though. The dozing off and on didn't help the plot line. |
Hank Zona
Citizen
Username: Hankzona
Post Number: 1956
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Friday, January 28, 2005 - 7:14 am: | |
DeCrapio's best role was in Gilbert Grape. I havent seen The Aviator yet.
Its not usually the length of the movie that matters but the quality. I have the looking at the watch and trying to get comfortable in my seat tests at movies, shows, plays, concerts, etc. If I find myself trying to look at my watch (in the dark) or notice Im moving around trying to get comfortable, then there's some lag in holding my attention. There have been 90 minute movies where that was so, and three plus hour movies where that wasnt. Magnolia I wanted to last longer, for example. When my wife was nine months pregnant, we sat through Kenneth Brannagh's Hamlet (4+ hours I think). There was an intermission, and it was at the Lost Picture Show theatre, where the seat thing didnt apply because the seats sucked, but it still moved along and held my attention (despite the fact it was literally and figuratively a pit, I miss that theatre). So Jeff, were you checking your watch or fidgeting during The Aviator?
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Hank Zona
Citizen
Username: Hankzona
Post Number: 1957
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Friday, January 28, 2005 - 7:18 am: | |
P.S. He was very good in Gangs of New York and Catch Me If You Can too..but still Gilbert Grape was the best Ive seen him do. Didnt see Basketball Diaries...was he any good in that? |
Miss L Toe
Citizen
Username: Miss_l_toe
Post Number: 153
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, January 28, 2005 - 9:06 am: | |
I went to see the 'Aviator' last weekend and enjoyed it...Cate Blanchete is such a talented, versatile actress and she was wonderful in 'Veronica Guerin' (portraying the true story of an Irish investigative journalist who was murdered for probing some criminal activity too closely). If you haven't seen it, I highly recommend renting the DVD.
I went to see "Sideways" a few weeks ago with my husband and thought it was a load of rubbish although the scenery was nice...it might have something to do with the fact that we're not serious wine afficionados, but we could not relate to that actor with the beard at all. He was too morose, self-absorbed and pretentious - no wonder his wife had left him. I just sat there in the cinema thinking how on earth could Virginia Madsen (can't remember her character's name in this film - still think of her in that horror film Candy Man LOL!) would choose to get off with a bloke who was so ugly and with a lousy personality to boot!
Maybe it's a cultural difference (we're not Americans) but it wasn't half as funny as I thought it was going to be.... |
kathy
Citizen
Username: Kathy
Post Number: 1044
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Friday, January 28, 2005 - 3:04 pm: | |
My son the wannabe film critic hated both "Sideways" and "The Aviator". (Also "Closer".) Loved "Hotel Rwanda".
Check out efilmcritic.com. Unlike Rotten Tomatoes and other sites, reviewers are screened for competence.
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Sgt. Pepper
Citizen
Username: Jjkatz
Post Number: 607
Registered: 12-2003
| | Posted on Friday, January 28, 2005 - 3:37 pm: | |
Two of the most overrated films I ever saw were "Nixon" and "Independence Day."
"Nixon" was so unbelievably bad that we walked out in the middle of it, and it takes a lot to get me to do that.
"Independence Day" was just awful, from Judd Hirsch's Jewish Steppin Fetchit-like performance to the utter ridiculousness of Will Smith uploading a virus from his Powerbook to cripple the alien spaceship (good thing the invaders had Mac-compatible systems!). My favorite moment: Will Smith's wife asking him why he had to go, while above them in the distance is hovering a spaceship the approximate size of Manhattan. |
Joe
Citizen
Username: Gonets
Post Number: 672
Registered: 2-2004
| | Posted on Friday, January 28, 2005 - 4:47 pm: | |
I walked out on "Something About Mary". That movie was painfully bad. |
Miss L Toe
Citizen
Username: Miss_l_toe
Post Number: 155
Registered: 10-2003
| | Posted on Friday, January 28, 2005 - 9:43 pm: | |
I've just got back from watching "Phantom of the Opera". It was a pile of pants.
The costumes were delightful but the actress playing Christine (whom I think has been nominated for an Oscar) although beautiful, seemed to have the same surprised and slightly gormless expression throughout the film. Minnie Driver was amusing as the lead Opera singer (soprano?) and being a temperamental Diva. Unfortunately the film was overly long and the music too repetitious.
It won't be going into my shopping cart in a few weeks when it's on sale at Costco..  |
Bill P
Citizen
Username: Mrincredible
Post Number: 8
Registered: 1-2005
| | Posted on Saturday, January 29, 2005 - 4:28 pm: | |
I really enjoyed The Aviator. Thought the performances were top-notch all around. No problem with Leonardo playing an emotionally crippled alienating eccentric. I had to catch my breath during the scene where they were filming the climactic dogfight in Hell's Angels. By the end of the movie I forgot that Cate Blanchett doesn't look like Katherine Hepburn. Overall I thought it was a great film and think it's a strong contender for Best Film. |
Hank Zona
Citizen
Username: Hankzona
Post Number: 1989
Registered: 3-2002
| | Posted on Monday, February 7, 2005 - 6:52 am: | |
Saw "The Aviator" this weekend...it was a good movie...well done...not great. Leonardo DeCrapio was very good. Cate Blanchette is an excellent actress and made me believe she was Kate Hepburn. I think John C. Reilly is a great actor..too bad there wasnt more of him in it. It was going along nicely until Alan Alda showed up playing Alan Alda. If Cate Blanchette and Kate Beckinsale (who I really like since her debut in one of my favorite movie/book combos, Cold Comfort Farm) can do really convincing American accents, why cant Alan Alda sound like hes from Maine when he plays a Senator from Maine? He was just reprising the later years sensitive Hawkeye Pierce, and the Same Time Next Year Alan Alda, and the West Wing Alan Alda. Playing a key character at a key juncture in the movie, I think he weakened an otherwise good movie. But movie of the year? Ive seen four of the best five movie nominees..I dont think I'll see "Million Dollar Baby" since the ads about it wrapping its soul around me and never letting go annoyed me. "Sideways" a very good movie for grown-ups Id highly recommend and that Id see again...not picture of the year. "Finding Neverland"..a very nice and well done movie...a family movie even if your kids are a little older...not movie of the year. Unless "Million Dollar Black-eye" is that good...I think "Ray" deserves movie of the year...and you cant beat the soundtrack.
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Soda
Supporter
Username: Soda
Post Number: 2506
Registered: 5-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 7, 2005 - 9:39 am: | |
One or two of those guys on efilmcritic.com are excellent. Articulate, perceptive, knowledgeable, opinionated, and even funny. Oh, wait. That's ME...
Re: the Kates in "The Aviator", aside from being a versatile actress, one of them is way up there on my eye-candy list. The other is just scarily good, never seems to give less than a riveting performance, and really deserves to be labelled "The Next Kate".
Yeah, Timothy Oliphant WOULD've been much better as Hughes, if only from the physical likeness and gravitas perspectives. And I really wish Leo would just start looking a bit more grizzled, so folks could just get over his matinee-idol gloss and focus on his acting chops, which might not rank with Sean Penn, but are serious nonetheless.
In any event, Scorsese seems to have picked him as his next De Niro, so we'd best get used to seeing him in more of Marty's big opuses...
And I've gotta love Scorsese on a couple of counts:
(A) He's always gotten great performances out of the actresses he's directed, whether they're in films with female leads, like "Alice Doesn't Live Here Any More", or supporting roles such as Cameron Diaz in "Gangs of NY" or either Kate in the current bio-epic. And
(2) He's such a stickler for detail; his production values are almost TOO rich, often giving us more to look at and absorb in the frame than one wiewing will allow (Sbenois has seen it three times? Betcha he wasn't bored...). Maybe this script fiddled with the truth a bit (it's a MOVIE, not a documentary), but for 2+ hours, that screen was crammed with historianna. I may not pick it as Best Picture, but it was worth the price of admission.
-s.
BTW: And another thing I admire about Scorsese: he studied under -- and later honored -- Haig Manoogian, a great NYU Cinematography professor. |
jeffl
Supporter
Username: Jeffl
Post Number: 973
Registered: 8-2001
| | Posted on Monday, February 7, 2005 - 2:14 pm: | |
I love Scorcese. I thought Taxi Driver was a fantastic film. The Aviator, for me, lacked everything that Taxi Driver had...taut plot, gripping characters, suspense that built, phenomenal acting. I must be missing something cuz most of the rest of the world disagrees. |
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