Post by JH4HJ on Jan 15, 2015 17:56:58 GMT -5
I haven't seen all of them, but I heartily recommend these two.
THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING - -
This is a sweet, sad, love story about two young people dealing with a dreadful disease. It's from *her* book, so not much on the science aspect, just enough so that if you've been living in a cave and don't know Hawking and his work, you can get the gist of his incredible mind as he deals with the frustration of a deteriorating body.
The script didn't really impress me. I liked some of the music, then thought that if I "noticed" the music maybe it was a bit intrusive. It's a wonderful glimpse of "Oxbridge" in the 60s/70s; set decor, costumes etc. equally precise. My complaint, if I have one, is that "Stephen Hawking" is almost immaterial. It could have been about any intellectually creative genius - an author, composer - dealing with an escalating physical disability. That nitpick aside, it is thoroughly enjoyable.
Eddie Redmayne is excellent. His transformation is stunning. I've read a couple of interviews about what he put himself through and had that nagging question in the back of my mind about actors who feel compelled to take "performing" a bit too far. I hope he did not do any lasting physical damage to himself. There are scenes where he "walks" on his ankles (among other things) that are painful to watch.
I also read an interview with Hawking where he said there were moments when HE forgot that he was watching an actor. Redmayne's metamorphosis alone is worth the price of admission, though he is a bit difficult to understand in the mid-section, as the disease becomes more severe and before he gets his (now familiar) computer voice.
THE IMITATION GAME - -
Fabulous movie. Amazing story. Impeccable acting. Great script. (never noticed the music in this one, though I'm sure there was some)
I had a vague "general" knowledge of this - that the Brits invented one of the first "computers" (meaning a machine that can do calculations/"computations" - not what we think of now, as in "laptop"). I was aware that the guy who built it was honored a few years ago - kinda late? - but thought it was because it was all still considered Top Secret so his work *could* not be acknowledged earlier (only partially correct).
I didn't remember his name [Alan Turing], never knew he was gay, had no idea he was persecuted/prosecuted (by the British Government - which he had served so very well!), chemically castrated - and driven to suicide at 41 - after damn near single-handedly ending WWII at least two years early and saving millions of lives. A stunning *true* story. [Now, I need to read a book about this man.]
Most of the really, truly sad stuff is in last couple of minutes - just written on the screen as an Epilogue. The whole movie is not like that, though there are some heartless, cruel moments that made me wince* tears didn't get me until the very end of it even though I was aware of (most of) the tragic aspects before seeing the film from reviews and articles about it.
[*not just about "gay" but also the condescending attitude toward women]
Excellent, ensemble cast. Look for Allen Leech as John Cairncross - [Tom, the (former) chauffeur from Downton Abbey].
I still think Redmayne is going to walk away with the awards this year, for the much more "physically demanding" role as Hawking. Imitation Game however, is a more "substantial" film with a great ensemble and better writing IMHO. Benedict Cumberbatch is also nominated for an Oscar; I predict Redmayne will win.
Tangent: TOO many Best Picture nominations. They really need to "split" that - as most Awards do - into "Drama" and "everything else" categories.
The only other Best Picture nominee I've seen (so far) is "The Grand Budapest Hotel" - which I enjoyed, but am surprised to see on this list. It was fun to watch, but not in a category with the two films mentioned above. I do hope it wins some set/costume/make-up/decor awards because the whole thing is "eye candy" to the hilt. It is enjoyable and recommended, it just doesn't seem to have the "weight" of the other nominees. (Maybe I missed something? I saw it quite a while ago.)
I doubt that I will see Sniper or Whiplash until they hit Cable TV. They are not "my cup of tea." [I've still not seen Hurt Locker, despite all the hype. I've caught bits and pieces of it on cable, but have yet to get all the way through it. Personal taste. I'm not fond of violent movies in general.]
I am very much looking forward to catching the others on the list prior to The Oscars.
THE THEORY OF EVERYTHING - -
This is a sweet, sad, love story about two young people dealing with a dreadful disease. It's from *her* book, so not much on the science aspect, just enough so that if you've been living in a cave and don't know Hawking and his work, you can get the gist of his incredible mind as he deals with the frustration of a deteriorating body.
The script didn't really impress me. I liked some of the music, then thought that if I "noticed" the music maybe it was a bit intrusive. It's a wonderful glimpse of "Oxbridge" in the 60s/70s; set decor, costumes etc. equally precise. My complaint, if I have one, is that "Stephen Hawking" is almost immaterial. It could have been about any intellectually creative genius - an author, composer - dealing with an escalating physical disability. That nitpick aside, it is thoroughly enjoyable.
Eddie Redmayne is excellent. His transformation is stunning. I've read a couple of interviews about what he put himself through and had that nagging question in the back of my mind about actors who feel compelled to take "performing" a bit too far. I hope he did not do any lasting physical damage to himself. There are scenes where he "walks" on his ankles (among other things) that are painful to watch.
I also read an interview with Hawking where he said there were moments when HE forgot that he was watching an actor. Redmayne's metamorphosis alone is worth the price of admission, though he is a bit difficult to understand in the mid-section, as the disease becomes more severe and before he gets his (now familiar) computer voice.
THE IMITATION GAME - -
Fabulous movie. Amazing story. Impeccable acting. Great script. (never noticed the music in this one, though I'm sure there was some)
I had a vague "general" knowledge of this - that the Brits invented one of the first "computers" (meaning a machine that can do calculations/"computations" - not what we think of now, as in "laptop"). I was aware that the guy who built it was honored a few years ago - kinda late? - but thought it was because it was all still considered Top Secret so his work *could* not be acknowledged earlier (only partially correct).
I didn't remember his name [Alan Turing], never knew he was gay, had no idea he was persecuted/prosecuted (by the British Government - which he had served so very well!), chemically castrated - and driven to suicide at 41 - after damn near single-handedly ending WWII at least two years early and saving millions of lives. A stunning *true* story. [Now, I need to read a book about this man.]
Most of the really, truly sad stuff is in last couple of minutes - just written on the screen as an Epilogue. The whole movie is not like that, though there are some heartless, cruel moments that made me wince* tears didn't get me until the very end of it even though I was aware of (most of) the tragic aspects before seeing the film from reviews and articles about it.
[*not just about "gay" but also the condescending attitude toward women]
Excellent, ensemble cast. Look for Allen Leech as John Cairncross - [Tom, the (former) chauffeur from Downton Abbey].
I still think Redmayne is going to walk away with the awards this year, for the much more "physically demanding" role as Hawking. Imitation Game however, is a more "substantial" film with a great ensemble and better writing IMHO. Benedict Cumberbatch is also nominated for an Oscar; I predict Redmayne will win.
Tangent: TOO many Best Picture nominations. They really need to "split" that - as most Awards do - into "Drama" and "everything else" categories.
The only other Best Picture nominee I've seen (so far) is "The Grand Budapest Hotel" - which I enjoyed, but am surprised to see on this list. It was fun to watch, but not in a category with the two films mentioned above. I do hope it wins some set/costume/make-up/decor awards because the whole thing is "eye candy" to the hilt. It is enjoyable and recommended, it just doesn't seem to have the "weight" of the other nominees. (Maybe I missed something? I saw it quite a while ago.)
I doubt that I will see Sniper or Whiplash until they hit Cable TV. They are not "my cup of tea." [I've still not seen Hurt Locker, despite all the hype. I've caught bits and pieces of it on cable, but have yet to get all the way through it. Personal taste. I'm not fond of violent movies in general.]
I am very much looking forward to catching the others on the list prior to The Oscars.
