jo
Ensemble
Posts: 46,434
|
Post by jo on Aug 31, 2013 23:56:42 GMT -5
EDIT: A SPOILER ALERT has been added to the thread title.
Jo
|
|
jo
Ensemble
Posts: 46,434
|
Post by jo on Sept 1, 2013 18:37:05 GMT -5
|
|
|
|
Post by mamaleh on Sept 1, 2013 23:05:13 GMT -5
Great to read all those great notices and tweets singling out Hugh. Thanks, Jo.
Ellen
|
|
jo
Ensemble
Posts: 46,434
|
Post by jo on Sept 5, 2013 7:13:10 GMT -5
Not sure if the tweets are simply fan reactions or from media people --
Hope multi-nominated Roger Deakins finally gets his Oscar for cinematography!
Jo
|
|
jo
Ensemble
Posts: 46,434
|
Post by jo on Sept 6, 2013 4:05:59 GMT -5
From an IMDB user --
|
|
|
|
Post by carouselkathy on Sept 6, 2013 8:34:58 GMT -5
All these reviews so far seem to indicate that Villeneuve has created a tense, riveting, character-driven thriller. I'm also sensing that even those who are of the opinion that it's not perfect, still give PRISONERS credit for direction and acting. It will be interesting to hear the water cooler conversations after Sept. 20.
|
|
jo
Ensemble
Posts: 46,434
|
Post by jo on Sept 7, 2013 7:29:40 GMT -5
Another IMDB user --
|
|
|
|
Post by israruth on Sept 10, 2013 13:08:32 GMT -5
I have been thinking about whether I want to go see 'Prisoners'. Hugh is extraordinarily talented but I am probably not going to see this film. I am in my mid-sixties and have been in business and have followed the political, social and economic news all my life so I think that I have a fair idea what goes on in this world. It would be easy to get depressed but I believe in being realistic and at the same time, not dwelling too much on the ugliness in this world. Part of being realistic is to to realize and appreciate that all around us, there are also good people doing the best they can to make life better for others.
The film industry used to sometimes make films about decent people living decent lives. I am thinking about the kind of movies Gregory Peck and others made. I would like to see Hugh in films about the good in our world. He has a special capacity for warmth and humanity and it would good to see him display that in intelligent, worldly and inspiring films to remind us about the good in the world. There are enough films about the darkness.
|
|
|
|
Post by israruth on Sept 10, 2013 14:32:00 GMT -5
I think I should add something to my previous comment (#7). I read the reviews from the Toronto film festival and was influenced by the descriptions of the unusually intense and brutal torture scenes.
|
|
jo
Ensemble
Posts: 46,434
|
Post by jo on Sept 10, 2013 18:00:29 GMT -5
|
|
jo
Ensemble
Posts: 46,434
|
Post by jo on Sept 10, 2013 18:36:08 GMT -5
A movie that may show graphic scenes of torture or violence, if done because it wants to provoke thinking and discussion on grey areas in this world, can have its redeeming value. I don't think Hugh accepted this role because it was simply an against-type challenge that can enhance his acting reputation. He was asked what he would do if something similarly tragic happened to his children, and if I recall right, he said that it may not be as what Keller did but he would definitely do something! I think the issue in the movie is : In a similar situation, what will you do to save your child? What moral issues and what parental love issues will prevail or can you reconcile them?
I have read the script and it is a harsh look at the reality of contemporary problems such as child abduction. But isn't it a measure of how widespread this social/criminal problem has become as the new phrase "amber alert" has become a commonly used pharase in newsreports? I will probably also flinch at the scenes of violence/torture ...but at the same time I am curious enough to see how the movie treats this issue and whether it is with a deep understanding of the difficulty of living with grey rather than black and white!
But I find it ironic that general movie audiences have accepted violent war movies ( Saving Private Ryan/The Longest Day/even Schindler's List which are excellent portrayals of WW2), violent superhero movies ( The Wolverine, with all the slicing and dicing - a Director's Cut will soon be released to show "blood" and more slicing and dicing), violent action movies ( with all the scenes of explosions and carnage), "vampire" movies/TV shows, and even the gore of some TV crime procedurals -- and yet a very harsh look at reality in a movie like PRISONERS may turn away some people?? But I do understand the hesitance and respect any decision about seeing this movie.
Sometimes it is hard to prejudge -- there was once a rumor here about how a father dealt with a child abduction here ( a daughter in her early teens, in this case). Instead of paying many millions in ransom, the father was supposed to have offered the money to the military men as reward if they caught the kidnappers, dead or alive! Only one of the kidnapping gang lived to spend the rest of his life in prison.
Jo
|
|
jo
Ensemble
Posts: 46,434
|
Post by jo on Sept 13, 2013 2:57:20 GMT -5
From someone who attended the Hollywood premiere --
Jo
|
|
jo
Ensemble
Posts: 46,434
|
Post by jo on Sept 13, 2013 3:05:43 GMT -5
And another reaction --
Jo
|
|
jo
Ensemble
Posts: 46,434
|
Post by jo on Sept 13, 2013 3:15:43 GMT -5
From an independent Hollywood producer --  |
|
jo
Ensemble
Posts: 46,434
|
Post by jo on Sept 13, 2013 3:23:49 GMT -5
I wonder - was the premiere reset to the theatre where they screen for AMPAS members, or was it just coincidence that the theatre was used?
Unless Warner Bros was confident enough about the chances of the movie and its acting honors chances that they decided to invite AMPAS members to the premiere instead?? Plus the party seems to indicate that it was toasted for important people?
According to Variety --
Hmmm...
Jo
|
|
jo
Ensemble
Posts: 46,434
|
Post by jo on Sept 13, 2013 4:00:23 GMT -5
|
|
jo
Ensemble
Posts: 46,434
|
Post by jo on Sept 13, 2013 18:11:49 GMT -5
From an aspiring Asian filmmaker --
|
|
jo
Ensemble
Posts: 46,434
|
Post by jo on Sept 17, 2013 0:01:19 GMT -5
|
|
jo
Ensemble
Posts: 46,434
|
Post by jo on Sept 17, 2013 10:25:54 GMT -5
Interesting thread on IMDB re why studios are no longer supporting adult dramas like PRISONERS ( the movie and the studio backing being the exceptions) -- www.imdb.com/board/bd0000005/nest/219771155The OP was exasperated with some audience reactions to the movie, esp the ending. If you have read the script, you know what to expect, which film buffs are actually appreciating very much because it makes one think. But it seems some of the audiences want everything spelled in black and white. As someone says cynically, it is Multiplex Joe who is killing cinema smiley-rolleyes010 The OP is also lamenting the fact that this kind of word of mouth may not help the box office of PRISONERS. On the other hand, maybe because the movie seeems to have stunned many who have seen it, could be the cool movie to see <cool> Jo |
|
jo
Ensemble
Posts: 46,434
|
Post by jo on Sept 18, 2013 3:36:08 GMT -5
I know some are rather hesitant to see the movie on this board, and understandably so, because of the scenes of torture and violence. I do not know if it will help form your judgment better, whether to see it or not, but someone on IMDB summarized the scenes that could be considered violent ( in response to a question as to whether a 13-year old who is quite mature for her age can see it) -- I will enclose it in SPOILER TAGS, in case you want to read it -- Hugh Jackman's character tortures a man by handcuffing him to a bathroom sink and repeatedly punches him in the face. We see his bloody beaten face and then we see his face again later in the film and it is extremely swollen, badly cut and still bloodied.
Jackman then takes a hammer and threatens to beat the man with it, but instead swings it violently at the sink busting it then at the wall next to the man's head.
Later in the movie, Jackman locks the man in a stand up shower and scolds the man with boiling hot water. We don't see this, but we hear the man scream in agony.
There is another scene in which a man commits suicide by putting a gun in his mouth and pulling the trigger. We see the whole thing.
Another man gets shot in the head (it grazes his head, as he doesn't die) another is shot in the leg and a woman is shot dead.
This is the majority of violence in the film that I recollect. Hope this helps! Actually, the scene that I "dread" to see the most is not included in the summary, so I hope I am spared that one  ...The movie seems to hew very closely to the script, though. Jo |
|
|
|
Post by birchie on Sept 18, 2013 8:36:21 GMT -5
<snip> Actually, the scene that I "dread" to see the most is not included in the summary, so I hope I am spared that one ...The movie seems to hew very closely to the script, though. Jo I was wondering if you were referring to the scene with Also I've read several interview articles where different members of the cast talk about the fact that Denis Villeneuve stuck pretty much to the script and even he stated that himself in a couple of interviews so I think the story won't hold any surprises for those of us who have read the script but the performances will make it all seem new, intense...and real! That's what I'm thinking at this point. Sue Edit: very happy to see that the spoiler tags are working!! |
|
jo
Ensemble
Posts: 46,434
|
Post by jo on Sept 18, 2013 10:12:51 GMT -5
I have read the filming incident with Jake - but that doesn't bother me as much as Keller threatening Alex with them, as that would be particularly cruel and *eek* . LOL! Jo |
|
|
|
Post by birchie on Sept 18, 2013 12:47:12 GMT -5
I have read the filming incident with Jake - but that doesn't bother me as much as Keller threatening Alex with them, as that would be particularly cruel and *eek* . LOL! Jo I'm prepared to be pretty creeped out by the scene too!  Funny thing is that snakes per se don't really bother me, I've handled them etc...but being in a small, dark, enclosed space with them & not being able to identify what kind they are!!!...that would creep me out for sure! Sue |
|
|
|
Post by natalieavery on Sept 20, 2013 18:56:58 GMT -5
Saw the film today! AMAZING! Sooo incredibly proud of Hugh! Hoping for a second Oscar nod here. Well done.
|
|
|
|
Post by natalieavery on Sept 20, 2013 19:01:36 GMT -5
By the way...Jo and Sue, you have nothing to worry about.
|
|
...The movie seems to hew very closely to the script, though.
