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Post by birchie on Sept 25, 2012 8:43:09 GMT -5
Watched Butter. I can see why it took a couple years to get this out to the public. It would be hard to market, hard to find a demographic to market to. Anyway it was okay. Jennifer Garner's performance was excellent. That and the little girl are the why I watched the whole movie. I didn't like Jennifer's character but her performance made that character very compelling to watch, like a train wreck you can't stop looking at. That said, it's one movie I won't be buying just to see 5 minutes of Hugh being a moronic jerk. Just not a movie I'd ever want to watch again. For a few minutes of Hugh, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan is much better. Better part, better story, better movie.
Don't know why he did this movie or that 'movie 43' nonsense. At least I wanted to see Butter, I won't even be watching the other one and that will be a first for something that Hugh is in.
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jo
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Post by jo on Sept 25, 2012 8:57:01 GMT -5
I suspect the cameo was a favor for Jennifer Garner. When Hugh still had SEED PRODUCTIONS, one of the co-ventures was for a project with Jennifer's company which did not pull through ( maybe because SEED eventually disbanded) - it was a comedy thriller set in Europe.
Just guessing, of course.
Jo
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Post by ocjackie on Sept 25, 2012 11:45:15 GMT -5
Thanks guys for the heads up. Now I know not to go to the movies and pay their admission. It comes out on Comcast, the same day it opens in the theater and it's a lot cheaper to sit in my living room with friends (of course we'll make it a small party too).
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Post by nevaeh777 on Sept 25, 2012 19:29:39 GMT -5
Watched Butter. I can see why it took a couple years to get this out to the public. It would be hard to market, hard to find a demographic to market to. Anyway it was okay. Jennifer Garner's performance was excellent. That and the little girl are the why I watched the whole movie. I didn't like Jennifer's character but her performance made that character very compelling to watch, like a train wreck you can't stop looking at. That said, it's one movie I won't be buying just to see 5 minutes of Hugh being a moronic jerk. Just not a movie I'd ever want to watch again. For a few minutes of Hugh, Snow Flower and the Secret Fan is much better. Better part, better story, better movie. Don't know why he did this movie or that 'movie 43' nonsense. At least I wanted to see Butter, I won't even be watching the other one and that will be a first for something that Hugh is in. Couldn't agree more Sue! I'll watch Butter only once, just to see it. I knew he was playing a jerk, but I thought, okay, I'll give it a chance and check it out. I'm surprised he did this and "Movie 43". I'm not sure what the draw was for him with these films and the characters he plays? I was stunned when I found out what the segment was all about that he's doing in Movie 43 with Kate Winslet. I'm not into the "crude humour" films I'm afraid. The only other movie of Hugh's I wasn't comfortable seeing at all was Deception when I found out the subject was to do with underground sex clubs. That film was a pass for me too. As for everything else he's done, I've seen them all over and over (and over) again LOL as I have them all in my special Hughie film collection.  |
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jo
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Post by jo on Sept 25, 2012 23:53:19 GMT -5
I was in London when this opened and I was in the cinema with my sister the first thing ( I had to find where I could find a cinema at the West End theatre district) -- I thought this was a very interesting movie and except for some plot holes towards the end, was quite well-made. True, Hugh plays a slimy character hiding underneath a "suit" - but it gives us an idea of how he can explore different facets of a character. Indie-type dramas which we always hanker he would explore sometimes tackle dramas like this. It also has a bit of a film noir look and the portrayals by Hugh, Ewan and Michelle were all excellent! Perhaps if the script was better written and the movie better directed, it could have been a true winner. Also, there weren't much tasteless intimate scenes, not more than what you normally see in other movies these days. You might want to watch it someday If Hugh kept playing only heroes or classic leading men types, he won't be able to explore other interesting and sometimes award-winning roles! Of course, it is also a matter of personal preference  About PRISONERS - the character he plays here, in my opinion, has a darker side than the slimy crook character in DECEPTION Jo |
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Post by carouselkathy on Sept 26, 2012 8:26:21 GMT -5
I've seen BUTTER twice ON DEMAND, and I'll see it in the theater is it's playing anywhere nearby. It's a quirky little film that makes me laugh. Hugh's brief scenes are funny, but the little girl is the star. The whole idea of "Laura Pickler" wanting to carve butter sculptures for her political advancement strikes me as very funny.
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Post by birchie on Sept 26, 2012 8:48:13 GMT -5
...I'm not into the "crude humour" films I'm afraid. The only other movie of Hugh's I wasn't comfortable seeing at all was Deception when I found out the subject was to do with underground sex clubs. That film was a pass for me too. As for everything else he's done, I've seen them all over and over (and over) again LOL as I have them all in my special Hughie film collection. That movie 43 looks definitely like "crude humor". I was appalled when I heard about his little part in it. The other reason I won't see it is that I heard Gerard Butler is playing a dwarf (little person) and I find it offensive that they would cast a full size actor in that role. Of course someone like Peter Dinklage probably wouldn't be caught dead doing a part like that but there are plenty of good actors who could have done it. It's like casting a white actor to play a black person. It will probalby make money because these crude movies always do. I call these types of movies YAM movies which stands for young adult males or morons depending on whether it appeals to men or women or both. As for Deception. It's not my usual taste but Hugh was very good as a slightly sinister, sociopathic bad guy. I like the challenge of playing against type that he did there. It could have been better written but the acting was very good. I do own it and have watched it a few times but I don't watch it over & over like the rest of Hugh's films. It wasn't crude just for the sake of being crude like movie 43. Someone (Jo I think) mentioned Prisoners. He will be playing against type there too but it's a much better story than Deception and I'm looking forward to it. It's such a great script and now that the cast is starting to come together I have high hopes for it to be successful. Sue |
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Post by jo on Sept 26, 2012 12:45:29 GMT -5
There was a particular scene in DECEPTION that made me a little afraid of Wyatt Bose, the character played by Hugh. It was the scene at the hotel when he forced himself on the character played by Michelle Williams. He sounded and acted in a particularly cruel manner - and that sent shivers down my spine. I never thought Hugh had it in him to make me afraid of the character he was playing. I think cruelty, especially to another human being, is one of the worst traits of humankind.
Hugh is a fine actor!
Jo
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Post by rmtndew on Sept 26, 2012 17:48:06 GMT -5
I own 'Deception' but the only time I watched it was when it was in theaters. Hugh's character creeped me out extremely and I didn't care for it. I didn't care for his character in 'Butter' either but at least he was just a stupid jerk and not a evil one. I'm not a fan of crude language and hearing Hugh say some of those lines was bizarre. But like Jo said; Hugh's a fine actor.
- Alicia
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Post by birchie on Sept 27, 2012 8:13:19 GMT -5
There was a particular scene in DECEPTION that made me a little afraid of Wyatt Bose, the character played by Hugh. It was the scene at the hotel when he forced himself on the character played by Michelle Williams. He sounded and acted in a particularly cruel manner - and that sent shivers down my spine. I never thought Hugh had it in him to make me afraid of the character he was playing. I think cruelty, especially to another human being, is one of the worst traits of humankind. Hugh is a fine actor! Jo I agree, his ability to inhabit a character is remarkable. When someone as likeable as Hugh can make you absolutely dislike the character he's playing you know he has something special. |
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Post by birchie on Sept 27, 2012 8:20:38 GMT -5
I've seen BUTTER twice ON DEMAND, and I'll see it in the theater is it's playing anywhere nearby. It's a quirky little film that makes me laugh. Hugh's brief scenes are funny, but the little girl is the star. The whole idea of "Laura Pickler" wanting to carve butter sculptures for her political advancement strikes me as very funny. It was certainly quirky and as I said Jennifer was quite good as well as the little girl. It had some amusing parts but it's not something I'd want to see again and I'm glad I didn't spend money on it. I don't even want to see the 5 minutes of Hugh being a doofus again. Glad you liked it, just not my cup of tea. |
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Post by nevaeh777 on Sept 27, 2012 17:33:49 GMT -5
There was a particular scene in DECEPTION that made me a little afraid of Wyatt Bose, the character played by Hugh. It was the scene at the hotel when he forced himself on the character played by Michelle Williams. He sounded and acted in a particularly cruel manner - and that sent shivers down my spine. I never thought Hugh had it in him to make me afraid of the character he was playing. I think cruelty, especially to another human being, is one of the worst traits of humankind. Hugh is a fine actor! Jo I agree, his ability to inhabit a character is remarkable. When someone as likeable as Hugh can make you absolutely dislike the character he's playing you know he has something special. Hugh Jackman is an incredibly brilliant actor. I actually can't wait to see him face the challenge of Keller in 'Prisoners'; however, with the character of Wyatt Bose, he went into a very dark place where I just didn't feel comfortable following. I had heard about the role and the scenes in it and just thought I'd give it a pass. I absolutely adore Hugh. I respect him and admire him so deeply, and I regard him as a hidden treasure in the entertainment world for the masses who think of him only as "Wolverine". I am hoping that 'Les Miz', 'Prisoners' and other challenging roles to follow, will reveal to those masses what we here on the board already know. Sue, you are so right when you say, "when someone as likeable as Hugh can make you absolutely dislike the character he's playing you know he has something special." Hugh is so even tempered in reality, so kind and so generous that it makes you take a step back when he does a character that's so opposite his personality. He's always amazing when he steps into a role where he challenges himself (and sometimes us)! I'm sure there must be times he just wants to "lose it" out there in the real world and get angry or express something negative, but he's always a gentleman and I absolutely adore him for that. We also know, from Deb, that he's usually quiet and internalizes a lot of things. This makes me wonder if sometimes he takes on these other darker roles or sillier roles as an outlet for what's going on inside. It's like, he can give himself permission to release this "darker" self in a safe environment like being in front of a camera or being on stage, instead of letting negative emotions build up inside. This way, he can release all the internal "crap" through that character instead. Whatever the reason for the characters Hugh chooses, he always plays them to perfection, impressing both directors and fellow actors who find him such a joy to work with, that they cannot wait to work with him again. |
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Post by njr on Sept 28, 2012 15:08:17 GMT -5
I agree, his ability to inhabit a character is remarkable. When someone as likeable as Hugh can make you absolutely dislike the character he's playing you know he has something special. Hugh Jackman is an incredibly brilliant actor. I actually can't wait to see him face the challenge of Keller in 'Prisoners'; however, with the character of Wyatt Bose, he went into a very dark place where I just didn't feel comfortable following. I had heard about the role and the scenes in it and just thought I'd give it a pass. I absolutely adore Hugh. I respect him and admire him so deeply, and I regard him as a hidden treasure in the entertainment world for the masses who think of him only as "Wolverine". I am hoping that 'Les Miz', 'Prisoners' and other challenging roles to follow, will reveal to those masses what we here on the board already know. Sue, you are so right when you say, "when someone as likeable as Hugh can make you absolutely dislike the character he's playing you know he has something special." Hugh is so even tempered in reality, so kind and so generous that it makes you take a step back when he does a character that's so opposite his personality. He's always amazing when he steps into a role where he challenges himself (and sometimes us)! I'm sure there must be times he just wants to "lose it" out there in the real world and get angry or express something negative, but he's always a gentleman and I absolutely adore him for that. We also know, from Deb, that he's usually quiet and internalizes a lot of things. This makes me wonder if sometimes he takes on these other darker roles or sillier roles as an outlet for what's going on inside. It's like, he can give himself permission to release this "darker" self in a safe environment like being in front of a camera or being on stage, instead of letting negative emotions build up inside. This way, he can release all the internal "crap" through that character instead. Whatever the reason for the characters Hugh chooses, he always plays them to perfection, impressing both directors and fellow actors who find him such a joy to work with, that they cannot wait to work with him again. Well said! I completely agree! Nancy |
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Post by nevaeh777 on Sept 28, 2012 20:47:25 GMT -5
Thank you so much Nancy!
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Post by foxie on Oct 7, 2012 17:58:28 GMT -5
"Butter" is Nothing but Empty Cinematic Calories Review
by Lex Walker
For a film inherently entrenched in indie quirkiness thanks to basing its premise in the comically niche world of competitive butter carving, Director Jim Field Smith’s Butter seems blissfully unaware that it needs to add extra ingredients to ensure it rises and doesn’t just melt into the vast ocean of similar films. In terms of its cast, Butter seems to have everything it needs with Jennifer Garner, Modern Family’s Ty Burrell, Olivia Wilde, Rob Corddry, Ashley Greene, Alicia Silverstone, and even Hugh Jackman, but it never really gives any of them enough space to establish themselves as anything more than amusing but shallow archetypes (the spineless husband, the fiercely stubborn Midwestern housewife, a car salesman, etc.). The few characters that do amount to something feel like they’re missing huge chunks of story behind who they are and what they’re doing, making Butter a stale but enjoyable distraction that’s short on flavor, and not worth trying twice.
Bob Pickler (Burrell) has dominated the butter carving competition in Iowa for 15 years, and so when he politely steps aside to let other folks shine in future competitions (like a Midwesterner would). Upon hearing this, his incredibly ambitious wife Laura (Garner), whose overbearing nature drives Bob into the arms of a vengeful stripper with a heart of gold (Wilde), blames his acquiescence on his lack of a spine and convinces herself she needs to enter the competition in his place to keep the state champion title in the family. Meanwhile, Destiny (Yara Shahidi), a foster child who recently landed in the care of Ethan (Corddry) and Julie (Silverstone), decides she wants butter carving to be her thing and so enters the competition against Laura. After an initial victory sends Destiny to the state fair to compete, Laura uses a few dirty tricks to arrange a rematch with the Iowa state fair as the battleground.
Right from the start it’s easy to tell the tone of Butter borders on the bizarre thanks to the activity in question (even if it is a real thing), but instead of making deadpan tongue in cheek observations a la Best in Show, Butter spends little time at all focusing on who the characters are and just revels in the shamelessness of Garner’s character and the nobility of Shahidi’s. At which point all the other characters just become placeholders who mean almost nothing to the story’s progress, and those that are supposed to receive little to no weight thanks to a lack of context. Why is it important for Destiny to have a brand new set of knives if she was able to make a winning sculpture with old ones the first time around? It’s not, but it makes it slightly relevant that Olivia Wilde’s character has been stewing about in the margins creating a feud with Laura for no reason whatsoever (her true gripe is with Bob).
The laugh out loud comedic potential for a movie on competitive butter carving is there, but Butter fails to capitalize on it because it never once makes us care about more than one person in the story. The only truly sympathetic character is Destiny, but even our time with her happens in fast clips and montages that make it impossible to invest any real emotion in her. This would be fine if the film was a solid wall of laughs giving us little time to reflect, but more often than not Butter’s laughs come from the absurdity of a given situation, a quick exchange, or a visual gag leaving plenty of room for the audience to question why they should care about Destiny’s quest to be good at something or Laura’s empty gesture of continuing the Pickler reputation as the first family of butter carving.
When the credits roll, Butter is nothing but empty cinematic calories with a few minor laughs to make it easy going down but not flavorful enough to keep anyone who took part from wondering why they bothered in the first place.
"Butter" opens October 5, 2012 and is rated R. Comedy. Directed by Ashley Greene, Jim Field Smith. Written by Jason A. Micallef. Starring Alicia Silverstone, Ashley Greene, Hugh Jackman, Jennifer Garner, Olivia Wilde, Rob Corddry, Ty Burrell, Yara Shahidi.
Oct
07
2012 Lex Walker • Editor
He's a TV junkie with a penchant for watching the same movie six times in one sitting. If you really want to understand him you need to have grown up on Sgt. Bilko, Alien, Jurassic Park and Five Easy Pieces playing in an infinite loop. Recommend something to him - he'll watch it.
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Post by droverswoman on Oct 7, 2012 20:57:47 GMT -5
There was a particular scene in DECEPTION that made me a little afraid of Wyatt Bose, the character played by Hugh. It was the scene at the hotel when he forced himself on the character played by Michelle Williams. He sounded and acted in a particularly cruel manner - and that sent shivers down my spine. I never thought Hugh had it in him to make me afraid of the character he was playing. I think cruelty, especially to another human being, is one of the worst traits of humankind. Hugh is a fine actor! Jo Jo, you've said it perfectly. He is SO convincing in that scene, it's scary. That's how good he is.  But I would say it's one of my least favourites of his movies, along with Scoop. He is beautiful in Scoop, but I dislike Woody Allen and his movies, so I watched it under protest. LOL. You can't entirely hate a movie where Hugh looks like this:  |
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Post by rmtndew on Oct 7, 2012 21:57:29 GMT -5
droverswoman, My brother took me to see 'Scoop' at the only theater in town that was playing it when it came out for a birthday present and ended up falling asleep and snoring the whole time. If it wasn't for Hugh, I would have done the same thing. I've watched it several times because, like you said, he looked so beautiful (especially in the final scenes where he's wearing that green polo!) but I'm not a fan of Woody Allen either. Maybe I'm just not the right age to get his humor, I don't know, but I feel like most of his films have the same characters in them over and over and they're usually some version of him. But for all the flaws, Hugh wasn't one of them. - Alicia |
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Post by nevaeh777 on Oct 7, 2012 23:38:13 GMT -5
Hey Barbara and Alicia, was Woody Allen in that movie? I never noticed. In fact....come to think of it...I never even noticed if anyone else was in that movie. I guess I was just focused on this one particular actor throughout the entire film (from the minute he came out of the swimming pool) Take for instance, this particular photo of "Scoop". I don't know about you, but the only person I'm seeing in it is Hugh. ;D ....and, maybe a pillar.  Do you see anyone else??? And this one too. Is it just me or is there anyone else in this scene?  |
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Post by nevaeh777 on Oct 7, 2012 23:52:24 GMT -5
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Post by nevaeh777 on Oct 8, 2012 0:01:20 GMT -5
And Alicia, just for you... Hugh and the green polo.  |
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Post by mamaleh on Oct 8, 2012 0:03:15 GMT -5
Wanted to see BUTTER in a theater to boost the box office (even in a miniscule way), but it wasn't playing close by. So I ended up ordering it On Demand. It's not horrible, just mildly amusing with some bothersome aspects. Could have been a lot better with more thorough character background and development, and of course, lots more Hugh! Loved his goofy "con-science" speech and heavenly prayer of thanks, LOL; and the little girl was appealing. Yes it's a comedy, but even a comedy has to be rooted in reality. Would Boyd really be that semi-illiterate and still a successful car dealership owner? How does the adoptive mom's inability to conceive mean she's afraid to care for a baby? Other things bothered me, too. You're supposed to semi-sympathize with the exotic dancer, yet she seduces an underage girl in the latter's bedroom. Whoa! Talk about tonal shifts. From the credits, it appears other actors in the movie needed a dialect coach, too. Three were credited, including Hugh's old standby, Jess Platt. Hugh was an apt pupil this time. They both get an "A." Ellen |
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Post by eugenia on Oct 8, 2012 6:40:19 GMT -5
Jejejejeje, ;DIt's a great comic, I hope at the end if the movie is released in my country.
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Post by birchie on Oct 8, 2012 8:22:14 GMT -5
Before this year Scoop was the only other movie I didn't buy. I liked Woody in the early days but then after the stuff with Mia Farrow & what's her name Suni?? I just couldn't stand him anymore. Not to mention that his movies just seem to much the same after a while and he's always the same in them. As for Scarlett Johansson, she was basically a female Woody in the movie and I absolutely hated watching her in that role. I don't know if it was her acting choice or Woody's directing that made her play it that way but I hated it. She's not a favorite of mine to begin with. Hugh was terrific in the movie and if I could stomach watching the rest of it I would own it, but it's not for me. I hate that there are now 3 of his movies I won't buy. I won't even see the movie 43 thing. But I did see Butter and Scoop, just won't buy them. I do own Deception and have watched it a few of times, usually because someone comes over who hasn't seen it. His performance is very creepy but brilliant. Hard to pull off a sociopath convincingly...I was convinced. He would have been a good Ted Bundy if he was 10 years younger, but I wouldn't like to see him play another sociopath. Prisoners is going to be dark but at least Keller has a reason be in that dark place and to do what he does.
I agree with the Butter review above. It could have been a funny movie with better developed characters and a better script. The Olivia Wilde character didn't need to be in it at all. They definitely missed the mark with the movie.
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Post by droverswoman on Oct 8, 2012 15:02:14 GMT -5
I agree, his ability to inhabit a character is remarkable. When someone as likeable as Hugh can make you absolutely dislike the character he's playing you know he has something special. Hugh Jackman is an incredibly brilliant actor. I actually can't wait to see him face the challenge of Keller in 'Prisoners'; however, with the character of Wyatt Bose, he went into a very dark place where I just didn't feel comfortable following. I had heard about the role and the scenes in it and just thought I'd give it a pass. I absolutely adore Hugh. I respect him and admire him so deeply, and I regard him as a hidden treasure in the entertainment world for the masses who think of him only as "Wolverine". I am hoping that 'Les Miz', 'Prisoners' and other challenging roles to follow, will reveal to those masses what we here on the board already know. Just found this photo, and it reminded me of this discussion. The evil Wyatt Bose. :o  |
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Post by njr on Oct 8, 2012 16:09:59 GMT -5
Hmmm. Are you noticing a theme in these following pictures?     Am I to understand that Scarlett Johansson actually got paid to do this? ROTFLMAO! |
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