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Post by jo on Sept 20, 2013 19:18:31 GMT -5
Thanks, NatalieAvery ( I wonder when they will film SIX YEARS  ) -- Relieved!! Tell us more of your impressions -- I won't get to see it till September 25  Jo |
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Post by natalieavery on Sept 20, 2013 22:18:24 GMT -5
Thanks, NatalieAvery ( I wonder when they will film SIX YEARS ) -- Relieved!! Tell us more of your impressions -- I won't get to see it till September 25 Jo Hi Jo, Glad you're relieved! I must say, it helped me a great deal having read the screenplay a year ago! There were several of us that went to see it and everyone was on the edge of their seats and could barely breathe at times. My parents (both 75) were with us and my mother turned to me at one point and said, "I'm going to need a BIG glass of wine after this is over!"  Because I had read the script, I was more prepared and knew what was going to happen. For those of you who have read the screenplay, Villeneuve did very little tweeking to it. He stuck mostly to the script. A few things were changed and I believe that was for time purposes or the film could have gone on longer. For those of you who are "squeamish" please do not hold back from seeing this film. Hugh is brilliant in it. His acting is superb and this role has definitely sealed him as a talent who can compete with those other male actors who constantly put out high caliber, Oscar worthy performances. ................MIGHT CONTAIN SOME SPOILERS BEYOND THIS POINT................................................... I think, at this point, your imaginations will have taken you further beyond what actually happens in the "torture" scenes. I think the screenplay goes deeper here than the film does. You will "hear" more of what is happening than "see" it in the film version. I'm not saying it can be hard to sit through at times, because you're imagining what is happening. The worst you will see is a beating Alex Jones (Dano) gets from Keller. At one point, you will see the result of what Keller has done. ................................................................................................................ The scene where Keller is brought in by Loki to look through photos of children's blood spattered clothing is heart wrenching. You will want to hold Hugh in your arms at this point! That is the photo of him with tears streaming down his cheeks! There were several scenes where he had me in tears because of his powerful performance! In short, this movie is a MUST SEE for all Hugh Jackman fans! Natalie  |
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Post by jo on Sept 20, 2013 23:04:23 GMT -5
"Imagined" or "heard" -- I think I have an idea of what that scene might be Earlier, I think I posted someone's summary on IMDB of some of the torture scenes indicated that the movie has not been as explicit as when you actually read the screenplay -- which could actually be more emotional or even frightening because the imagination is sometimes more powerful than actually seeing something. But thanks for your summarizations! Hope this is the next opportunity for Hugh to come within striking distance to an Oscar  Jo |
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Post by mamaleh on Sept 21, 2013 7:20:36 GMT -5
SPOILER:
Agreed, Natalie. The scene in which Keller is viewing the photos is an exquisite piece of acting by Hugh, his finest moments in the film. He's heartbroken and crumbling and yet fighting his emotions, as he is unwilling to accept what appears to be a tragic reality. Just beautiful--and as intense, in its own way, as the torture scenes.
Ellen
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Post by jo on Sept 21, 2013 7:46:19 GMT -5
Question : Should I re-read the script before I see the movie? On IMDB, the message board has exploded ( hardly any trolling) with all kinds of questions on the movie - facts, interpretations, misimpressions, conjectures, quotes, conclusions, what-ifs, etc -- I have never been so amazed at how an audience for a movie are chattering and chattering on end. I think the overall impression is really very favorable and enthusiastic... and the continuing discussions there are indicative of the continuing interest in the plot and the characters. I was lol-ing at how some are balking at the inconclusive ( according to some) ending - people want it painted in black and white. Even the words whispered by Alex to Keller when he was first confronted by Keller is being discussed. So, do I need to re-read the script to appreciate the first viewing better ...Or will forgetting some parts of the script add an air of mystery and suspense to the movie smiley-signs002 Jo |
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Post by carouselkathy on Sept 21, 2013 10:46:47 GMT -5
Jackman's Landing has a link to very interesting comments and discussions about PRISONERS. It's for folks who have seen the film, so there are spoilers. Lots of theories about the plot and characters! My feeling is that there will be great word of mouth and lots of return viewings. By the way, I thought the ending was perfect. Alfred Hitchcock would be proud!
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Post by birchie on Sept 21, 2013 12:12:40 GMT -5
Thanks Natalie & Ellen for the review/comments! Sounds like it's everything I could hope for and more...seeing it tomorrow so I still have about 24 hours left to wait <awww>
Jo, Hugh said in one of the interviews that a couple of very intense scenes were cut to shorten the playing time. That may explain the differences some mention from the script. I'm hoping they will include these in the BluRay/DVD version!
Sue
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Post by israruth on Sept 21, 2013 13:00:06 GMT -5
CarouselKathy,
Can you tell us the whereabouts of the link on Jackman's Landing to the comments about 'Prisoners'.
Thanks
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Post by jo on Sept 21, 2013 13:36:38 GMT -5
One of the more intensely debated topics on the IMDB Board! Does Keller live aftar all ... and what is in store?
I thought this would make an interesting subject for a sequel -- The Trial of Keller Dover!
It could focus on the court proceedings and the jury deliberations while weaving the story on the further impact on the two families and their community. How will public opinion shape up? Also, what actually happens to Keller Dover's set of beliefs - will he be the same man? Or has the experience changed him forever? Ahhh...where is Aaron Guzikowski Jo |
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Post by jo on Sept 21, 2013 13:42:24 GMT -5
Here's a link to the IMDB Board on PRISONERS -- www.imdb.com/title/tt1392214/board/?ref_=tt_ql_4There are quite a good number of topics with very good discussions. Also, at the moment, the movie has been rated a high 8.3 by IMDB standards. Jo |
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Post by hu4601 on Sept 21, 2013 17:13:45 GMT -5
Could we please avoid spoilers in this thread. Prisoners still has 25 days till it is released in Australia and I already feel that I know too much.
Many thanks
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Post by jo on Sept 21, 2013 18:00:11 GMT -5
Will use spoiler tags Jo |
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Post by carouselkathy on Sept 21, 2013 20:02:07 GMT -5
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Post by njr on Sept 22, 2013 17:20:18 GMT -5
Will use spoiler tags Jo Why not just post in the Spoiler thread? I haven't seen it yet either! (hope to on Weds) Nancy |
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Post by birchie on Sept 22, 2013 18:14:01 GMT -5
Someone should probably put a spoiler notice in the title of this thread but in lieu of that I'll put tags on parts that I think are TMI, though there are different levels at which people consider something a spoiler. Once a movie comes out I think it's very hard to avoid spoilers especially if a topic is called ...Reviews or something similar! I'm a little late posting this. We went to the movie at 11 but it's my son's birthday this week so after the movie we celebrated a bit, dinner etc so I'm finally here! I haven't quite organized my thoughts and, in fact, I'm still sort of digesting the movie. Such great performances by everyone! And all the comments that have been made about the cinematography are well justified. I see another nomination in Roger Deakins' future! The settings, especially the weather, were really like another character. Between Deakins' artistic eye, the brilliant directing of Denis Villeneuve who really made the most out of the amazing script by Aaron Guzikowski, it became a feast for the senses and such an intricately woven blend of story, place and characters that the time went very quickly. I never felt like it was 2.5+ hours at all. All 3 of them should get Oscar nominations. I've never seen Hugh perform anything like this. He nearly broke my heart in a couple of scenes. I have never seen any actor portray the excruciating anguish you see in one scene and then the almost demonic rage in the next. Plus the anguish is so controlled that you almost sense that there's so much more of it just beneath the surface and if he really allows it to come out he won't be able to cope with it. He gives an exquisite portrait of a man who can only let the pot boil over for the rage, not for the anguish. I was stunned by these two extremes of the character. I don't know how Hugh did it. It's way beyond anything that was on the page for those who read the script. If he isn't nominated to an Academy Award then the Academy is blind. All the performances were wonderful. I was very impressed with how each character was dealing with things in such different ways and how isolating it was for each of them. You never really see this in these thriller movies...that sense of isolation that each person feels...but it is how tragedy is dealt with in the real world. The scene with the snakes that was in the script...after Keller learns from the aunt that Alex is afraid of snakes he starts putting them into his bathroom box/cage...was not in the movie. I think that will be one of the scenes that Hugh mentioned were cut because it read pretty intense in the script. I'm assuming this and the other scene that Hugh said was cut will be on the BluRay. I'll have to read the script again to try and figure out which other scene was cut. The only complaint that I had when it was done was The final scene when Loki hears the whistle...the whistle was way to low to hear for anyone with less than perfect hearing. I have hearing difficulties and my son's partner is legally deaf, but can hear an adequate amount with his hearing aid, but I could barely hear it and he didn't hear it at all. (I think I only think I heard it because I knew it was there.) Also the scene in the parking lot Alex says that "They didn't cry, not till I left them" very low. Also the scene with Joy in the hospital where she tells Keller "you were there" and "it put tape on our mouths" were very low. I knew they were coming so I had told my son to pay attention to those because I knew from comments I'd seen online that some people never heard what was actually said. I think the word "it" instead of he or she really threw people, but that's also how it was written in the script...yes, I checked because I didn't remember for sure. So that's a pretty dumb complaint I guess, and it won't be an issue when watching the future BluRay since there are captions available. All in all, I don't see how there could be less than 6 Oscar nominations for this movie. I don't see how they'll divide the acting ones up though. Would Jake be in the best actor or supporting actor category? Also Paul Dano was quite chilling, but is the role too small for best supporting? Terrence Howard was very good a the stunned friend/grieving father too, but might not be enough of a role for supporting actor. Also I thought Maria Bello was perfect as the mother unable to cope. Best actress or supporting??? Pretty small part so I think supporting. Melissa Leo will surely get a nomination even though it's another small part she does a lot with it. I guess these questions will be answered in about 3 months or so. Isn't it the end of Dec/beginning of Jan when the nominations get announced? Even the smallest roles in this movie were well done. I thought the boy who played young Ralph did a lot with a very small part. One last thing my son and I noticed...When the credits started to roll at the end Mark Wahlberg was listed as an Executive Producer I hadn't noticed before on the Prisoners page on IMDB...guess I don't look at those listing much but I thought it was interesting. So that's all I can think of for now. I'll report back if I think of anything more! Sue |
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Post by jo on Sept 22, 2013 19:09:57 GMT -5
Thanks, Sue! Re the Mark Wahlberg connection -- being a Bay Stater, I guess you are aware that Mark comes from Dorchester and Aaron Guzikowski's hometown is Brockton ( even if he no longer resides there) and that Brockton was actually the setting in the script? Maybe there was a personal connection there - or at least, it developed when they first met, at the early stages of the film adaptation? Mark had initially expressed interest in the role of Keller Dover ( and Christian Bale as Loki, with Bryan Singer directing) but that didn't pan out. Hugh came into the picture then ( 2009) but that did not also push through. For a while, Leo DiCaprio was interested in the movie project but did not pursue it...In the meantime, while the PRISONERS script was languishing in "greenlight" purgatory, Mark had asked Aaron to write the screenplay for his movie CONTRABAND, which Aaron did. Maybe Mark did not lose complete interest in the PRISONERS film project and may have expressed interest to ALCON to act in a capacity as executive producer ( I am not too sure but I read somewhere that "Exec Producer" has much less to do with a film project than a " Producer"). Re the Massachusetts connection - I also wonder about speculations why the setting was changed to Pennsylvania -- it was said that this was to avoid having the cast put on the Boston accent, esp Hugh, and also to minimize any difficulties for Quebecois director Denis Villeneuve. Does that make sense to you? Re the hardly-audible sounds in certain key scenes -- you have a great point there! Many people on the IMDB message board seemed not have to have heard what Alex said to Keller, which would have clarified why Keller was convinced that Alex was involved...or some part of the audience may have heard slightly different set of words, which could slightly change the connotation of what Alex said).
The whistle sound at the end may or may not have also been fully appreciated by the audience. What the sound was and what it meant. I understand that some members of the audience found the ending inconclusive or even unclear as to what happened.
There were also different appreciation and interpretations of what Joy Birch said re Keller after she was found Maybe they could have been more clearly articulated/sound-edited as they were key utterances! Btw, I have added a SPOILER ALERT notice on the thread title. I understand that it would be difficult to discuss one's reactions after having seen the movie without sometimes touching on key points in the story - which we can enclose in SPOILER tags. For the benefit of those who may not have used the spoiler tags -- simply enclose the words that you want hidden from general public view with open bracket-SPOILER-close bracket and then open bracket-/SPOILER-close bracket, without any space after and before the tags. Also, with such a widely-spaced release schedule worldwide, those who may have seen it much earlier (USA) compared to the rest of the world may start to forget or lose interest in discussing some key points, if they have to wait till practically the end of the year. This is the release schedule from IMDB - incomplete, because some places are not mentioned there ( like us in the Philippines, where it opens on Sept 25). www.imdb.com/title/tt1392214/releaseinfo?ref_=tt_ov_infSorry -- if this is not adequate for others who have requested that spoilers should not be discussed here. Won't be too long now - I will likely be able to see it at least twice this coming week. Jo |
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Post by birchie on Sept 22, 2013 20:42:37 GMT -5
Jo, I totally wasn't thinking about Mark's possible relationship with Aaron Guzikowski. I also forgot that he was talked about early on regarding Prisoners. I know that AG wrote Contraband but still didn't make the connection...duh! I don't really read articles about MW so it's possible they're friends as well as colleagues. I do follow him on Twitter but he hardly ever tweets, unlike his brother Donnie who tweets incessantly LOL! So are you going to be able to see Prisoners this week? Can't wait to read your thoughts. Sue |
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Post by hu4601 on Sept 22, 2013 20:53:55 GMT -5
Someone should probably put a spoiler notice in the title of this thread but in lieu of that I'll put tags on parts that I think are TMI, though there are different levels at which people consider something a spoiler. Once a movie comes out I think it's very hard to avoid spoilers especially if a topic is called ...Reviews or something similar! I'm a little late posting this. We went to the movie at 11 but it's my son's birthday this week so after the movie we celebrated a bit, dinner etc so I'm finally here! I haven't quite organized my thoughts and, in fact, I'm still sort of digesting the movie. Such great performances by everyone! And all the comments that have been made about the cinematography are well justified. I see another nomination in Roger Deakins' future! The settings, especially the weather, were really like another character. Between Deakins' artistic eye, the brilliant directing of Denis Villeneuve who really made the most out of the amazing script by Aaron Guzikowski, it became a feast for the senses and such an intricately woven blend of story, place and characters that the time went very quickly. I never felt like it was 2.5+ hours at all. All 3 of them should get Oscar nominations. I've never seen Hugh perform anything like this. He nearly broke my heart in a couple of scenes. I have never seen any actor portray the excruciating anguish you see in one scene and then the almost demonic rage in the next. Plus the anguish is so controlled that you almost sense that there's so much more of it just beneath the surface and if he really allows it to come out he won't be able to cope with it. He gives an exquisite portrait of a man who can only let the pot boil over for the rage, not for the anguish. I was stunned by these two extremes of the character. I don't know how Hugh did it. It's way beyond anything that was on the page for those who read the script. If he isn't nominated to an Academy Award then the Academy is blind. All the performances were wonderful. I was very impressed with how each character was dealing with things in such different ways and how isolating it was for each of them. You never really see this in these thriller movies...that sense of isolation that each person feels...but it is how tragedy is dealt with in the real world. The scene with the snakes that was in the script...after Keller learns from the aunt that Alex is afraid of snakes he starts putting them into his bathroom box/cage...was not in the movie. I think that will be one of the scenes that Hugh mentioned were cut because it read pretty intense in the script. I'm assuming this and the other scene that Hugh said was cut will be on the BluRay. I'll have to read the script again to try and figure out which other scene was cut. The only complaint that I had when it was done was The final scene when Loki hears the whistle...the whistle was way to low to hear for anyone with less than perfect hearing. I have hearing difficulties and my son's partner is legally deaf, but can hear an adequate amount with his hearing aid, but I could barely hear it and he didn't hear it at all. (I think I only think I heard it because I knew it was there.) Also the scene in the parking lot Alex says that "They didn't cry, not till I left them" very low. Also the scene with Joy in the hospital where she tells Keller "you were there" and "it put tape on our mouths" were very low. I knew they were coming so I had told my son to pay attention to those because I knew from comments I'd seen online that some people never heard what was actually said. I think the word "it" instead of he or she really threw people, but that's also how it was written in the script...yes, I checked because I didn't remember for sure. So that's a pretty dumb complaint I guess, and it won't be an issue when watching the future BluRay since there are captions available. All in all, I don't see how there could be less than 6 Oscar nominations for this movie. I don't see how they'll divide the acting ones up though. Would Jake be in the best actor or supporting actor category? Also Paul Dano was quite chilling, but is the role too small for best supporting? Terrence Howard was very good a the stunned friend/grieving father too, but might not be enough of a role for supporting actor. Also I thought Maria Bello was perfect as the mother unable to cope. Best actress or supporting??? Pretty small part so I think supporting. Melissa Leo will surely get a nomination even though it's another small part she does a lot with it. I guess these questions will be answered in about 3 months or so. Isn't it the end of Dec/beginning of Jan when the nominations get announced? Even the smallest roles in this movie were well done. I thought the boy who played young Ralph did a lot with a very small part. One last thing my son and I noticed...When the credits started to roll at the end Mark Wahlberg was listed as an Executive Producer I hadn't noticed before on the Prisoners page on IMDB...guess I don't look at those listing much but I thought it was interesting. So that's all I can think of for now. I'll report back if I think of anything more! Sue Thanks Birchie for being so careful re spoilers. Much appreciated by an Aussie who has nearly a month to wait. Don't know why the release here is so much later than usual. |
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Post by jo on Sept 25, 2013 19:13:07 GMT -5
When I heard the Captain say that Alex Jones will not be allowed to leave the Commonwealth, I thought that was a blooper moment! I thought only Massachusetts used that as part of its official name and that the film editors/director missed that line from the script ( where the setting was Massachusetts). LOL - was I ever mistaken ... It seems that Pennsylvania's official name is The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Sorry Jo ( once upon a time, lived in Massachusetts) |
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Post by jo on Sept 25, 2013 19:37:54 GMT -5
After PRISONERS, if the gods so will it - the movie role I would like him to tackle next would be that of DENNY in A STEADY RAIN! Hope the producers find an opportunity to revive the film adaptation plans with Hugh and Daniel Craig. Hugh is so versatile, in scenes with dramatic and emotional impact! With some comedic moments thrown in for light relief - but mostly for the powerful portrayal of a character who goes through a compelling story arc!
Jo
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Post by jo on Sept 25, 2013 19:38:42 GMT -5
After PRISONERS, if the gods so will it - the movie role I would like him to tackle next would be that of DENNY in A STEADY RAIN! Hope the producers find an opportunity to revive the film adaptation plans with Hugh and Daniel Craig. Hugh is so versatile, in scenes with dramatic and emotional impact! With some comedic moments thrown in for light relief - but mostly for the powerful portrayal of a character who goes through a compelling story arc!
Jo
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Post by jo on Sept 27, 2013 20:46:51 GMT -5
I saw the movie a second time yesterday -- *My friend said that this is one movie where one could hardly breathe and that her heart was in her throat all the time. After the movie, she said " I have to see this again! With my daughter!" *A man ( maybe in his 40's seated across the aisle to us started clapping enthusiastically when the several whistles then faded into black! He either appreciated the unusual ending very much or really thought the movie was a great one. *A few people had second guessed the ending - the theater was very quiet and fully concentrated throughout the movie until the time when Loki was back at the scene of the crime ( I heard cries of "the whistle", "the whistle" in our vernacular - speculating that this has to be the way for Keller to be saved) *On our way out of the cinema, a couple who turned out to know my friend enthusiastically talked about the movie. The man asked me a few questions about the Bob Taylor and the Holly Jones aspects while the woman wanted to know how I knew some of the answers - when I told her that I had also read the script, via the internet - she said that is what she is going to research when they come home - LOL! *There was a distinct clue which I thought was clearly mentioned towards the early part of the movie which could lead to solving the crime earlier - re the RV - I heard the verbal reference or saw it clearly, but in the script it was only mentioned in passing An excellent excuse to see it a third time Jo |
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Post by jo on Sept 30, 2013 7:58:08 GMT -5
In my last post on this thread -- Today, I saw it for the third time -- and now I know I did not misheard it when the clue was mentioned. MAJOR SPOILER ALERT*************MAJOR SPOILER ALERT*************MAJOR SPOILER ALERT**************MAJOR SPOILER ALERT*************MAJOR SPOILER ALERT*************MAJOR SPOILER ALERT***************MAJOR SPOILER ALERT* * * * * Someone posed this question on the IMDB PRISONERS Page --
To which I replied --
Alex was probably reliving his abduction in front of his own house when he was little, but his mental state did not allow him to fully comprehend what might have been a distant memory.
And there lies another clue re the RV.
I had rewatched the movie -- there was a very early clue that could have led to an earlier solution to the case, had Detective Loki been more mentally alert when it was said. He was visiting the house of the real mother of Alex and while she was watching the worn-out tape, she mentioned that she remembered "that her little boy was playing on the front yard where an RV was parked when he disappeared " ( this quote was not part of the original script but added in the movie)
Fast forward to that first meeting between Keller and Holly Jones. Holly was narrating :
So, the RV was the real big clue.
*Alex parking in front of his house before he was abducted.
*His fascination with it, including a matchbox figure in his belongings
*His real mother recalling that he was abducted on the front yard where an RV was parked
*Holly actually admitting that it was the same RV they had driven before little Alex "came" to her and her husband.
*Also, his enigmatic response to Keller : "They did not cry...until I left them" -- presumably means that they were likely playing with him in the RV but someone must have taken them away. Who else could it have been?? My post looks kinda empty with the spoiler tags - LOL! But I am writing it down before I forget all about it Jo |
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Post by jo on Oct 3, 2013 17:28:32 GMT -5
MAJOR SPOILER ALERTA tweet we all wish Hugh Jackman would reply to <please> LOL!
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Post by birchie on Oct 3, 2013 18:41:42 GMT -5
MAJOR SPOILER ALERTA tweet we all wish Hugh Jackman would reply to <please> LOL! I think that question speaks to one of my early objections about the sound being too low!! If ya know what I mean Seriously though, the question should be... ...for people who heard the whistle...Is he going to jail? I think you mentioned, Jo in an earlier thread that a good sequel would be "The Trial of Keller Dover" which will probably never happen but is good to speculate about. But if people are asking the question you quoted then I think I'm not the only one who couldn't hear the whistle very well. Sue |
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