jo
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Post by jo on Nov 28, 2013 0:49:16 GMT -5
It all started with the Dovers happily crossing the road to join their good neigbors, the Birches, for Thanksgiving Day celebrations --  Post-dinner, the Dovers were relaxing with the Birches, unaware that the day is going to end as a nightmare for both families --  Is this a movie that you would want to see on Thanksgiving Day, after the celebratory meals and football games and watching the parade on TV? Or is it even a movie that you would want to discuss with friends, because it all happened on Thanksgiving Day and the days that followed? Word of mouth is still strong ( check out Twitter and movie message boards - because the storyline is quite riveting and and the characters very compelling) -- but is the subject interesting enough for a family table discussion, both from the points of view of a thriller/suspense and from the depth of the character studies? It is controversial, but it has caught the attention of many because to some extent it resonates with some realities. Jo |
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jo
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Post by jo on Dec 2, 2013 18:20:12 GMT -5
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Post by mamaleh on Dec 3, 2013 9:33:09 GMT -5
I don't see where the race of the neighbors made any difference, other than to perhaps broaden the appeal of the movie to a wider array of moviegoers. Nothing wrong with that.
One flaw I noticed in the script is that both families are supposed to be in a "working-class" neighborhood. Yet, isn't Viola Davis a physician? I don't think too many well-established doctors would choose to live in a slightly rundown neighborhood, unless they had strong ties to the area.
Ellen
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jo
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Post by jo on Dec 3, 2013 11:28:27 GMT -5
If I remember right, the character played by Viola was a veterinarian.
Jo
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Post by mamaleh on Dec 3, 2013 11:33:03 GMT -5
Hey, if I had a buck for every time the waiting room where I brought my dog was filled, I'd be up to my neck in $. So are we to presume she had a failing practice? Dunno.
Ellen
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Post by birchie on Dec 29, 2013 13:41:57 GMT -5
I don't remember seeing this particular interview session. I love seeing Hugh with Jake & Denis, such mutual admiration and respect! 22 min. goes by quickly:
Sue
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jo
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Post by jo on Dec 29, 2013 18:18:57 GMT -5
Thanks, Sue.
It looks like the interview might have been held in London/UK. There is mention of a Sept 27 opening date -- and isn't the lady's accent a bit Scottish ( amidst the Aussie, Yankee, and French-Canadian sounds)?
But it would be nice if the three team up again, in another movie --- would "luv it, luv it, luv it, luv it, luv...gotta say it 7 times!"
Jo
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Post by birchie on Dec 29, 2013 19:58:06 GMT -5
Thanks, Sue. It looks like the interview might have been held in London/UK. There is mention of a Sept 27 opening date -- and isn't the lady's accent a bit Scottish ( amidst the Aussie, Yankee, and French-Canadian sounds)? But it would be nice if the three team up again, in another movie --- would "luv it, luv it, luv it, luv it, luv...gotta say it 7 times!"Jo That part cracked me up too! It's the first time I've heard that particular anecdote, now every time I read something about Denis I'll be thinking about it...and if he says "luv it" in an interview, I'll be counting them...I guess 3 or less "luv its" are very bad!!  I also thought the interviewer was very Scottish. Loved the mixture of all of them especially when Hugh or Jake would imitate Denis. I also laughed at how often someone said Jack instead of Jake. Sounds like he gets that alot. Sue |
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Post by foxie on Jan 7, 2014 6:16:14 GMT -5
For a good part of its running time, Prisoners seems as if it could be one of 2013’s best pictures. It has a good premise and a shocking middle.
Alas, the film falls apart a bit at the end, with a finale as stupid as the rest of the film is gripping.
Hugh Jackman delivers a fierce performance as Keller Dover, a survivalist who goes into vigilante mode after his daughter and her friend are kidnapped. When a semi-irritable detective (Jake Gyllenhaal) apprehends a mentally challenged suspect (Paul Dano), Dover and the detective go head-to-head on how to deal with him. When the suspect is set free, Dover captures and tortures him.
These parts of the film are solid, showing the lengths a parent could go to in order to find a missing child. As for the film’s mystery element: That’s where things fall apart. It strains so hard to be clever that it becomes ridiculous by the time credits roll.
Gyllenhaal is quite good here, even when the screenplay lets him down. The same goes for Jackman and his justifiably maniacal turn. He’s a sharp actor, and he makes the goofy ending watchable. Supporting performances from Maria Bello and Terrence Howard are decent.
The movie was shot by cinematographer extraordinaire Roger Deakins, so it looks good. Prisoners is worth seeing for the most part, but it’s a bit of a disappointment.
Special Features: You only get a couple of short behind-the-scenes features.
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Post by foxie on Jan 7, 2014 6:17:11 GMT -5
Sure thought he would win!he should be a presented at GG?
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Post by mamaleh on Jan 7, 2014 7:47:18 GMT -5
Carol, the Globes are this coming weekend, and Hugh's in South Africa. So I think it's very unlikely that he'll present or otherwise attend.  Ellen |
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Post by njr on Jan 7, 2014 18:10:02 GMT -5
For a good part of its running time, Prisoners seems as if it could be one of 2013’s best pictures. It has a good premise and a shocking middle. Alas, the film falls apart a bit at the end, with a finale as stupid as the rest of the film is gripping. Hugh Jackman delivers a fierce performance as Keller Dover, a survivalist who goes into vigilante mode after his daughter and her friend are kidnapped. When a semi-irritable detective (Jake Gyllenhaal) apprehends a mentally challenged suspect (Paul Dano), Dover and the detective go head-to-head on how to deal with him. When the suspect is set free, Dover captures and tortures him. These parts of the film are solid, showing the lengths a parent could go to in order to find a missing child. As for the film’s mystery element: That’s where things fall apart. It strains so hard to be clever that it becomes ridiculous by the time credits roll. Gyllenhaal is quite good here, even when the screenplay lets him down. The same goes for Jackman and his justifiably maniacal turn. He’s a sharp actor, and he makes the goofy ending watchable. Supporting performances from Maria Bello and Terrence Howard are decent. The movie was shot by cinematographer extraordinaire Roger Deakins, so it looks good. Prisoners is worth seeing for the most part, but it’s a bit of a disappointment. Special Features: You only get a couple of short behind-the-scenes features. I realize this is not your personal review foxie, but I have a couple questions: What is the film's "mystery element?" The fact that Alex was kidnapped as a child by his "adoptive" parents? And why does he/she say "goofy ending?" *confused* Nancy |
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Post by birchie on Jan 8, 2014 11:41:55 GMT -5
Just a surprise bit of info I discovered today. If anyone was wondering what Aaron Guzikowski has been up to I just found him in an article about a new series. I read the article because I'm a Stargate/Stargate Atlantis fan but a line at the end really got my attention: The Red Road (formerly The Descendants) joins Sundance’s other recent original dramas, which include the critically acclaimed Rectify, Top of the Lake, and The Returned. Aaron Guzikowski wrote the series. According to IMDB he's also a producer of the show. If you want to read the article it's here: www.gateworld.net/news/2014/01/jason-momoas-the-red-road-premieres-february-27/On a side note, I just started watching The Returned a couple days ago. Very different & creepy but good. It's actually a French series. Sue |
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Post by foxie on Jan 11, 2014 17:52:19 GMT -5
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jo
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Post by jo on Jan 11, 2014 20:57:27 GMT -5
This is in response to the NBR announcement of the Best Ensemble Award to PRISONERS, but since Foxie's link was posted here, instead of the thread on Awards Buzz, may I reply here instead?
Here's Hugh's quote on the award --
The NATIONAL BOARD OF REVIEW recognition is a gratifying award because I think it is one of the least campaigned ones!
After my close observation of last year's awards season and all the goings-on ( including getting White House screenings and Time Magazine covers), it seems there is no territory that is left untouched just to be able to make acceptance speeches. And now that I am seeing the ubiquitous faces of Ryan S and Guiliana advertising On the Red Carpet, it has lost even more respect with me, when the focus is less on portrayals than "who are you wearing?" inanities. Sometimes I can understand why some actors express their contempt for the whole Hollywood coming-out party smiley-rolleyes010
But I am glad that at least there is recognition that an ensemble worked so seamlessly together even if ironically each role has a particular path to follow and not dependent on complete interaction with another!
So, kudos to Hugh and company <cheer>
Jo
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Post by foxie on Jan 12, 2014 15:17:15 GMT -5
Nancy I think what the woman meant that we didn't really know what happened at the end!
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Post by njr on Jan 12, 2014 18:23:47 GMT -5
Nancy I think what the woman meant that we didn't really know what happened at the end! I did! Jake's character saved Hugh's character. Nancy |
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Post by jo on Jan 12, 2014 19:33:56 GMT -5
A few fans (on IMDB) agree somewhat that the mystery element seemed to be too deus-ex-machina. All of a sudden, the aunt becomes the real culprit, after many clues that point to others ( Alex, Bob Taylor, maybe even the priest) and that the clues leading to her were kind of devised or contrived. I think if people had noticed the much earlier clue ( which I could confirm only on third viewing) about the RV ( the real mother of Alex said that her young son was seen playing close to an RV in front of their old house-- where the present-day RV was parked when the girls disappeared...and Holly told Keller that they lost faith after their son died of cancer, but before that they were preaching the gospel riding all summer in that RV) -- the mystery element was actually unravelling nicely...Plus one can read from Alex's whispered statement to Keller ( about the girls crying only when he left them -- left to whom or taken from Alex by someone ? ) that there might have been a culprit who was close or known to Alex? Of course there were many sidetracks and even Loki did not follow a straight path to the killer -- he actually discovered her by coincidence when he came to inform her about Alex being rescued. But to me, the movie is less of a thriller/mystery but more of a psychological study, even a morality tale, of what happens to people when faced with a deep crisis! Otherwise, this could just be a typical kidnap/thriller tale. Taken - version B ...Although of course the suspense is also riveting. Some also complained about the abrupt ending ( some people wanted to see an actual rescue, if it happens) but others thought the unexpected "fade to black" was a true cinematic ending  Re Keller being found -- that has also generated some debate. Will Loki actually rescue him ( most think he will)? Will he be barely alive? What faces him in the longterm - jail? Interesting speculations on what happens if there is a trial of Keller Dover! What I found very satisfying is how so many part of the audiences ( via Twitter, on IMDB, film reviews, other film feedback comments) seemed to have been unexpectedly pleased with the movie which they found compelling despite what people initially thought was just a generic suspense tale. People were complimenting the script, the direction, the acting team, the cinematography, the sound, even the locale! It seems it was not just the characters in the story who were prisoners, we had all become prisoners of the tale-telling for 2 and a half hours, too <insomnia>  Too bad the awards bodies chose to honor (  ) seemingly less compelling tales and portrayals <boo> Jo |
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Post by jo on Jan 15, 2014 18:40:16 GMT -5
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Post by mamaleh on Jan 15, 2014 20:30:56 GMT -5
On my Bizarro version of the Oscar nominations to be announced tomorrow, Hugh's name comes out of nowhere, akin to Richard Jenkins for THE VISITOR, when Hugh hosted the Academy Awards. So what if he didn't make the Globes, SAG or the critics' awards? Nominations announcer Chris Hemsworth shouts out, "Good on ya, mate. Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, oy, oy, oy." Of course, we are not living in the Bizarro world, so.... Ellen |
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Post by Jamie on Jan 15, 2014 21:25:21 GMT -5
On my Bizarro version of the Oscar nominations to be announced tomorrow, Hugh's name comes out of nowhere, akin to Richard Jenkins for THE VISITOR, when Hugh hosted the Academy Awards. So what if he didn't make the Globes, SAG or the critics' awards? Nominations announcer Chris Hemsworth shouts out, "Good on ya, mate. Aussie, Aussie, Aussie, oy, oy, oy." Of course, we are not living in the Bizarro world, so.... Ellen Semi akin to your Bizarro World version - Today's Playlist with the Films that should receive nominations but probably won't blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/the-20-oscar-nominations-wed-most-like-to-see-tomorrow-but-probably-wont-20140115?utm_source=tpDaily_newsletter&utm_medium=sailthru_newsletter |
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Post by mamaleh on Jan 15, 2014 23:45:05 GMT -5
Nice...but too little, too late.
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jo
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Post by jo on Jan 16, 2014 1:06:35 GMT -5
Miracles do happen...but maybe a little farfetched this time. But I am glad that Hugh has received congratulations for the portrayal, even if the awards bodies looked at others instead.
Jo
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Post by mamaleh on Jan 16, 2014 8:50:31 GMT -5
Nope, no Bizzaro-world fantasy come true. Back to reality.
Ellen
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Post by mamaleh on May 10, 2014 9:41:27 GMT -5
PRISONERS makes its HBO debut tonight at 8 EST.
Ellen
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) seemingly less compelling tales and portrayals <boo> 
