Big night at the Globes last night, and unlike other years, I simply have not seen many of the movies in contention for Best Picture this year. In fact, other than The Dark Knight, I don’t think I have seen any of them. I guess the election, travel, this blog, and other stuff had me occupied. After last night, I think I am going to have to make an effort to watch Slumdog Millionaire, which really looks pretty fun. Of the rest of the movies featured, the only ones I am interested in are Doubt, the new Woody Allen movie, and the Mickey Rourke wrestler flick.
Speaking of Rourke, this was mentioned in another thread, and I thought it was sweet:
Mickey Rourke won the award for Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture-Drama at the Golden Globes this evening for his lead role in The Wrestler.
He gave a surprisingly eloquent and heartfelt speech, noting that he is not used to speaking in public and that he was almost “out of the business” (Hollywood) a few years ago. (The critics are calling his speech “interesting.”)
Rourke thanked his agent, producers, co-stars, etc. and then he asked the audience if he could thank his dogs–both the ones that are still with him now, and those that had passed on.
“Sometimes when you’re alone, all you got is your dog and they meant the world to me.”
Also, Freida Pinto from Slumdog Millionaire may be the most naturally beautiful person I have seen in years.
MattF
Mickey Rourke had the Fatal Flaw– the French thought he was terrific. One can hope that particular embarrassment is over. IMO, it was all downhill for Rourke after ‘Barfly’, where Faye Dunaway administered a lesson in what ‘acting’ is all about.
Robin G.
I *liked* Slumdog Millionaire, but I sort of feel that Hollywood is a little too in love with it. I prefer Akeelah and the Bee, which does something kind of similar (well, at least reaching for a similar tone). But then, Hollywood also adored Little Miss Sunshine, which I felt was fine and good but mostly a paler imitation of the messages of Sideways. So… yeah.
I did really like it, though. It was good and worth the $10 ticket, which is saying something. Just curb your expectations sufficiently to not be disappointed if you’re expecting a revolutionary breakthrough in films.
jbd
Just saw Slumdog Millionaire last night. Yes, it has a happy ending, but parts of it are very, very hard to watch. Makes you think about aspects of the world that you’d rather forget. Which I guess makes it an important film.
Tom
Doubt is awesome.
Don’t see Revolutionary Road with a significant other. It’s great, but I imagine the ride home would be incredibly awkward.
Fwiffo
Doubt is awesome. Of course, the cast from top to bottom pretty much guarantees that.
R-Jud
Slumdog Millionaire is the only movie from last year that I’ve twice paid to see in the theater. In a lot of ways it is a conventional hard-luck, rags-to-riches story, with some contrived bits that almost make you roll your eyes. But it is also 30% in Hindi, stars people you’ve never heard of, and is so wonderfully shot you can practically smell the trash heaps. Boyle and his co-director did a wonderful job shooting in the slums.
@jbd:
Yeah, violence against, and exploitation of, small children is something we like to pretend only happens to guests of Oprah before they get a makeover and a new car. I hid my face more than once.
The Other Steve
I can’t say there’s ever been a Woody Allen movie I was willing to watch. Perhaps if you chained me down and put toothpicks in my eyes to hold them open, I might watch… but certainly not voluntarily.
DJShay
Slumdog Millionaire is extraordinary. There are very disturbing, in your face parts concerning the poverty of India and in particular it’s effect on children, but there is always a sense of rising above it. There’s no self pity, only enjoying the moment and making the best of a very bad situation. And the music is spectacular.
passerby
Rourke was on Letterman some time last month and he was very candid about his life. Just telling it like it is. It was an engrossing interview by late night standards.
I liked him in the days of 9-1/2 Weeks, Year of the Dragon and Barfly then his life began to go downhill. I thought he was a goner and now, he has found a niche in The Wrestler.
Haven’t seen it yet but this man is no pampered Hollywood diva who washes his face with spring water and has a private staff to deal with the unpleasantries of life. His genuineness is a breath of fresh air, bark and all.
Good on you Mickey and I too thank your dogs.
John Cole
You have got to be kidding. Go rent, and in no particular order, Sleepers, Bananas, and Everything You Wanted To Know About Sex, A Midsummer’s Night, Annie Hall, Broadway Danny Rose, and on and on.
Sleepers and Bananas are two of my all time favorite comedies.
The Other Steve
This weekend, we got Run, fatboy, Run and Transsiberian on Netflix. Gotta say, fatboy surprised me at how good it was. Not going to win awards, but it’s a far better romantic comedy then some of the dreck that normally comes out.
I liked Transsiberian as well… although I felt Woody was the weakest actor in the film. Any thriller which I can’t predict the plot turns is a good one.
My plan is to see Gran Torino either tonight or tomorrow. The screenwriter is another Minnesota native. Although unlike the writer for Juno, I don’t believe this guy worked in a strip club.
R-Jud
@The Other Steve:
Fixed, so I can agree with you.
Laura W
@The Other Steve: Not even Annie Hall, Other Steve? That was my fave movie for a very long time in my young years. I thought for its time it captured relationship neurosis beautifully. Plus, I was gay for Diane Keaton back then.
Love Sleepers. Hannah and Her Sisters entertained me too, as I recall.
Man, Bush is going to town. Ride ’em, Cowboy.
Fuck it’s hard to think of comedy and listen to Bush simultaneously.
Tom
and on and on.
Manhattan, Crimes and Misdemeanors, Purple Rose of Cairo, Match Point, Hannah and Her Sisters…
The Other Steve
Woody Allen is a lot like Jerry Lewis.
Only the French could ever like him.
DJShay
@R-Jud
Matchpoint was a very good recent Woody Allen film. I’m a little over all the Woody Allen worship though. I can see the appeal of his early work, but it never really did anything for me.
Neue Internetprasenz
***ANOTHER LIST OF WOODY ALLEN MOVIES***
There’s some serious Kate Winslet backlash on the movie boards this morning. Looks like her cynical, Oscar-grubbing, comedic turn in Extras wasn’t far off.
Tattoosydney
@Tom:
I even have a soft spot for "Deconstructing Harry" and "Small Time Crooks".
However, "The Curse of the Jade Scorpion" is beyond forgiveness.
John Cole
@Neue Internetprasenz: Elaborate or provide a link.
I remember that Extras, though.
elmo
Maybe I’m getting jaded, but I just recently watched two of the supposed "best" movies of 2008 — Dark Knight and Wall-E — and my combined reaction to both: "Eh."
I hated hated hated Indiana vs. the Aliens.
I can’t remember the last movie that was a pleasant surprise.
Is it me?
passerby
Love all his early stuff. His more recent Manhattan Murder Mystery is classic angsty Woody Allen and Matchpoint was a good movie (except for mis-casting the male lead — too gay for the character he portrayed).
But stay away from Small Time Crooks, a rare WA epic fail. That movie was slap full of stoopid on several levels. I couldn’t finish it.
Tattoosydney
@passerby:
Hmmm. Maybe I was stoned when I saw it… Now I’m too scared to watch it ever again, just in case I was horribly wrong.
Montysano
Let me give the highest recommendation to "The Visitor", starring Richard Jenkins. Since I’ve watched it, it just keeps coming back into my mind. What a tragedy that we’ve now demonized everyone from those noble cultures in the Cradle of Civilization. Hiam Abbass, a Palestinian actress who plays opposite Jenkins, is just wonderful.
passerby
@elmo:
Haven’t seen Wall E but agree with you about Dark Knight. There was too much going on at the end. The inclusion of a second villain watered down the plot as to render the technology in the movie plot incomprehensible, for one thing.
Heath Ledger’s character was well developed and he shined but Batman’s role was relegated to supporting actor and didn’t allow Bale to be the star.
Zuzu's Petals
@Tom:
I saw "Milk" this weekend. Really excellent. Two snaps up.
Keith
Most folks are right to suggest "Bananas". Those that don’t like Woody Allen often don’t know how much slapstick/physical comedy his early films had. "Bananas" is my 2nd fave of his fims, but #1 by a good margin is "Love and Death", his 19th century Russian comedy. Great soundtrack, great cinematography, great jokes (love the hygiene play)
Saw Dark Knight for the first time this weekend. Was blown away by it. A bit too many cuts for a lot of the film, as stuff is happening all at once, but Ledger is even better than I expected in it, and the Batpod was much cooler as well.
passerby
@Tattoosydney:
Perhaps that was my problem Tattoosydney, I wasn’t stoned and should have been. Pass the silver orb in my direction please…quit bogarting.
Phoenician in a time of Romans
Also, Freida Pinto from Slumdog Millionaire may be the most naturally beautiful person I have seen in years.
Rachelle Lefevre
Neue Internetprasenz
John: Beginning here. Of course, these are merely opinions of the most jaded film nerds; I think her acting choices post-Titanic have been very good when she could have just cashed in and done romantic comedy dreck.
Zuzu's Petals
@Montysano:
I agree. A wonderful movie. Richard Jenkins has a SAG nomination … hope he gets some recognition for his splendid work.
Tom
ZuZu’s Petals —
Milk is great too. For the non-homosexual (and even maybe for some homosexuals) parts can be kind of hard to watch because VanZandt doesn’t sugar-coat the promiscuity of the time or place (oh, and there’s the brutal double murder too!). Think he did this because Milk wasn’t the kind to hide any aspect of himself. His message was to accept people as they are, warts and all.
I was surprised that neither Doubt nor Milk was nominated for best picture in the Globes. Pretty sure one or both will get an Oscar best-pic nod.
Tattoosydney
@elmo:
I quite liked Wall-E, but then I saw it in a Lisbon cinema in Portuguese, and only understood about 10% of the dialogue.
I suspect that missing out on the lessons it was trying to shove down my throat in the second half turned it into a charming semi-silent movie.
YellowJournalism
If you want a Woody Allen movie that isn’t big on the Woody Allen, save for the narration, try "Radio Days". It’s based on his childhood in the early 40’s and stars a young Seth Green as a sort of child version of Woody Allen, but it has none of the annoying traits of a grown-up Allen character. It’s also a great look at the period in entertainment before TV. I have to say it’s one of my favorite "comfort" movies and one of the few Woody Allen flicks I like.
As far as the Winslet backlash goes, I chalk it up to the fact that she won two awards. Fanboys on those message boards can’t stand anything mainstream or popular, I swear. Expect Heath Ledger and Dark Knight backlash in the coming months as the actor and film recieve more awards, especially if they’re Oscars.
Paul in KY
To ‘The Other Steve’, who said: ‘I can’t say there’s ever been a Woody Allen movie I was willing to watch.’
IMO, ‘Sleeper’ is pretty funny.
passerby
@Neue Internetprasenz:
I agree. Kate Winslet has a quality of warmth and sincerity that other "starlets" don’t have. A good example of this is her performance in The Holiday. Next to Jack Black, Cameron Diaz and Jude law, the scenes she was in filled up the screen.
Nicole
Am I a bad person for being annoyed at Mickey Rourke for not wanting to do Sin City 2? I feel like Rodriguez took a chance on using him in it and that it was really started to put him back on the map. (And yeah, he was terrific in it.) I saw that CBS Sunday Morning piece on his comeback and noticed that Sin City wasn’t even mentioned and wondered if Rourke insisted it not be because he doesn’t want to do the sequel.
Speaking of Diane Keaton- years ago I was performing in plays at the Central Park Zoo and she came with her little girl and saw one of the shows. A few days later she was back with her girl, recognized me and complimented me on the show. Seeing as how I had played a singing bat, I was very touched she took the time. :) What a nice woman.
I remember reading when she stepped in to do Manhattan Murder Mystery, that Woody Allen said he had originally written her character to be the straight man, and his to be the comedic one, but had to change it because no one can outfunny Diane Keaton.
John PM
Agreed, although I fear that she may follow the path of the Indian actress from Bend It Like Beckam, who is toiling away on ER while Keira Knightly (no slouch herself) has broken into superstardom. I do not think Hollywood knows what to do with the ethnic types, especially if they do not speak American English.
Tom #4
Have not seen it yet, but I would have to agree. My wife and I almost got into a fight during the description of the movie prior to the clip. Of course, I was being a smart ass, so that probably didn’t help.
I would like to propose a corollary topic to this post: Should Heath Ledger posthumously win the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor? He is almost certain to get nominated and will probably be the favorite. I thought he was absolutely amazing in the Dark Knight and blew Jack Nicholson’s Joker out of the water. However, I cannot see giving him the award considering the circumstances surrounding his death. Being honest, I would not have this hang up if he had been killed in a plane crash or had a bad heart, i.e., something out of his control killed him. Absent that exception, I think that the award should go to someone who is alive to accept it.
Of course, even if Heath Ledger were still alive, I would be pulling for Tom Cruise or Robert Downey, Jr. to win for their roles in Tropic Thunder, which I believe is the most disturbing, funniest movie about Hollywood since The Player, one of my all time favorites.
Geeno
Heath Ledger’s performance is THE reason to see Dark Knight; he was amazing. Wall-E was cute. That was all I expected of it, and it delivered in spades.
Re: Woody Allen
I’m surprised no one’s mentioned Zelig – I loved that movie.
Bananas is a solid #1 with me.
Tymannosourus
Am I the only person in the world who thinks Clint Eastwood movies are garbage?
As an actor, he has the range of my Dodge pickup with a gallon of gas. And the movies he directs are such over-hyped, over-simplified non-sense. The man has the subtlety of a table saw, and if you don’t believe me, re-watch the last 20 minutes of Million Dollar Baby:
"Ohhh, these people with the Mickey Mouse T-shirts are supposed to be white trash, and they only care about demselves! I am supposed to hate them. Grrrrrr."
gwangung
Paraminder Nagra.
You DO realize that this is a HUGE step up for ethnic/non-white types; after all, starring for four years on one of the most watched TV shows in America is four years of work and pay (as opposed to scrabbling for speaking roles….)
Cain
@passerby:
The Joker is simply a bigger character than the Batman. The bastard even steals scenes in comic books. It’s the nature of the beast. Nobody is as criminally insane as the Joker. In Batman: The Animated Series, Mark Hamill had to be given plenty of room in order to voice act the Joker.
There were some contrived scenes, but overall the movie was fantastic. I really enjoyed it. I didn’t think it was particularly busy towards the end. Especially, Two-Face wasn’t given a lot of screen time but the downfall of Harvey Dent was. Harvey Dent/Two-Face was spot on too. So much better than the stupid version of Two-Face that was done before. I look forward to the next film.
I saw Slum Dog Millionaire as well. More like dragged to it. I was surprised that I liked the film a lot. There are a lot of scenes in there that were pretty gruesome. Also, shows why you should never give money to children street beggars. :D (I never do when I’m in the country..) But I highly recommend it. Take note that the train terminal scenes was where the terrorist stuff happened.
cain
JenJen
Indeed, Freida Pinto is stunningly gorgeous. "Slumdog Millionaire" was easily my favorite film of the year, and I was so thrilled to see it get the recognition it deserved… especially Danny Boyle’s Best Director win! Killer soundtrack too, and it really is the kind of film that just makes you feel great and amazing for days after watching it. Elite movie assholes say the film is too "pop" to receive major awards. They can go wank off.
Mickey Rourke touched my heart with his thank-you to dogs. It was the best speech of the night.
And while we’re on the topic, to hell with what has happened to Mickey Rourke’s face. What the hell has happened to Jessica Lange’s face, that’s what I want to know.
Montysano (All Hail Marx & Lennon)
@Tymannosourus:
No……no you’re not. I thought "Million Dollar Baby" and "Mystic River" were both disappointing.
Again…… check out Hiam Abbass in "The Visitor".
Laura W
@Nicole: Now I’m all gay for Keaton again.
Best Diane Keaton Movie Ever:
REDS
Loved the story. Loved her in a dramatic role. Loved the on and off-screen romantic tension with Beatty. Loved the train station scene.
sniff sniff
Cain
@gwangung:
By the way, I would recommend "American Desi" as another movie to watch. It’s a cheesy but I enjoyed it as someone who grew up here and used to have some of the same attitudes before I grew out of them.
Indians are culturally invisible in the U.S., you don’t really see much. It’s why for instance you never saw an western film with Amitabh Bachchan in it. Amitabh Bachchan one can argue is one of the most popular film stars ever. Known in eastern europe, Africa, India, Pakistan, Russia, the middle ast, etc. I mean he was huge. To this day, i can connect with most Africans and they’ve seen all the Amitabh Bachchan classics. I’m a big fan, but I’m not sure that I’m as big of a fan as the kid in Slumdog Millionaire. :-) Those who’ve seen the film will understand my comment!
cain
Zuzu's Petals
@Tom:
Yes, it really did bring back the times. And Penn was amazing as always.
Mnemosyne
We watched En Bruges this weekend (before Farrell won his well-deserved Golden Globe) and a word of warning — people keep talking about how funny it is, but it is NOT a comedy. We were a little taken aback by the ending because so many people had been talking about it as though it was a straightforward comedy, and it ain’t.
That’s all. Still a good movie and worth watching, but it’s a crime drama with some funny scenes, not a comedy.
map106
She had her eyes done.
Montysano
@Laura W:
Since "Annie Hall", I’ve always had a thing for Keaton. But in "Something’s Gotta Give", all I could think was "More Frances McDormand, plz".
Tsulagi
You really should see Slumdog Millionaire. It definitely deserved Best Picture. Take a date; the wife loved the romantic aspects of the film.
We also took our two pre-teens with us to see it, but during the film was a little uncomfortable with that. They’ve been in a few other countries and have an idea other kids don’t have it quite so easy, but Mumbai is a whole other story. There’s some funny parts though with the slum kids. Loved the autograph seeker part.
JenJen
@Cain:
Thank you for that! I didn’t realize Amitabh Bachchan was an actual film star, and I feel a little stupid for not knowing that. And your comment about not being quite as big a fan as the kid in "Slumdog Millionaire" was funny. :-)
passerby
@Cain:
I guess I’m at a disadvantage there, cain, I’m not up on the Bat lore. I hadn’t even heard of two-face before the movie so when he emerged on the scene I was sorta "WTF?"
That new Bat technology that Morgan Freeman’s character was running didn’t make a lick of sense to me. I thought they could have spent more exposition time on that seeing as how it played predominantly in the climax.
I would watch it again, though, for Ledger’s Joker.
The Moar You Know
I’m crushed to discover that Cole is one of those latte-sippin’, New Yorker-reading, Woody Allen-watching pinky in the air cultural elitists.
Dear christ, I cannot stand Woody Allen. Through the agency of many girlfriends over the years, I’ve seen most of his films. They are uniformly horrible and without merit or redeeming qualities.
John PM
@gwangung:
I do not believe that ER has been one of the most watched shows since George Clooney left and it started getting trounced by CSI. My original point still stands – given the choice between Paraminder Nagra and Kiera Knightly, Hollywood went with Knightly, and Nagra is appearing on a steadily decreasing medical drama that will be over at the end of this season.
Montysano
Re: "Dark Knight". My wife and kids love it; I couldn’t make it past halfway. Like "Quantum of Solace", which we saw the other night, I’m opposed to any movie where the camera work makes me physically nauseous.
Laura W
@Montysano: Well, I’m not gay for Frances McD at all, but I get your point.
Speaking of Frances and Jessica Lange, I was very gay for her, too, after seeing her Frances Farmer portrayal.
Cain
@JenJen:
Yep, he is. He is in fact the original host of the "Who wants to be a Millionaire" show in India. It was part of his come-back vehicle after his film company went bankrupt. He’s way better than that fuck head, Anil Kapoor. God I hate that guy. Everybody my age who grew up knew Amitabh. He was nearly a religious icon to most of us kids. So I can well understand the motivations of the character in Slumdog Millionaire.
BTW Amitbabh can talk english
cain
Waingro
Nope. I thought Mystic River was thoroughly mediocre-most of his other films are enjoyable and workmanlike at best.
Whenever I hear him referred to as ‘one of America’s greatest filmmakers’, I tilt my head like a confused Golden Retriever.
JenJen
@Cain:
I do have to say, though, that listening to the hissing, snake-like way Anil Kapoor pronounces "Millionaire" is one of the best parts of "Slumdog." He was perfect for that role and seemed thoroughly committed to playing a total asshole well!
I’m also thrilled that Irrfan Khan is finally being introduced to American audiences. He’s outstanding. Truly unforgettable performance in "The Namesake" and when he showed up in "Slumdog" I was so pleasantly surprised. :-) May he receive many, many, many more roles, he is a treasure.
Andrew
Weird, cause she’s only the 5th most attractive woman in that vampire movie.
And John PM says:
And I say, that’s the stupidest fucking consideration I’ve ever heard of.
gwangung
Naw, I agree with your point (after all, Paraminder was the STAR of the movie).
It’s just that she got HIRED. And she’s been working steadily for the past four, five years. That’s a step up from trying to cadge roles with lines, which is the way it used to be, not so long ago (like, 10-12 years ago). The joke around the acting community was that you broke out and became the Designated Asian Actor (and There Could Only Be Just One).
Tymannosourus
@Waingro:
Thanks for the reassurance.
p.s. I thought you were badass in the movie "Heat."
Ronnie P
Well thank the good Lord Tom Cruise didn’t win for Tropic Thunder. Robert Downey Jr. would have been fine, but Cruise?
Do they have a documentary category? I want to see Man On Wire get some love.
Waingro
Well, thank you. I do wish that McCauley had just gone straight to the airport, though.
jibeaux
I couldn’t listen to Mickey Rourke, because I was watching him in hi-def and we couldn’t shut up about how perfectly awful the suit, wallet chain, slippers, Clairol Frost ‘n’ Tip job, Elton John sunglasses, and astonishing loss of good looks was… we’re so shallow and superficial, yadda yadda, but come on. That guy used to look *good*.
Tom
Ronnie P,
I don’t think there’s a best doc category in the Golden Globes, but Waltz With Bashir won for best foreign language film.
Haven’t seen that or Man on Wire, but both are on the top of my list (in Netflix and in the theatre, respectively).
Montysano (All Hail Marx & Lennon)
@jibeaux:
Most actors in his position (i.e. back in the ’80’s, handsome, successful) don’t think "Hey, I think I’ll give boxing a shot."
HyperIon
wow. i must be REALLY out-of-touch.
watching movie awards shows used to be SO gay.
pseudonymous in nc
Slumdog Millionaire is Dickens in Mumbai. Rags to riches, passive heroine, etc. Now, many Bollywood films are quite Dickensian in character, but there are distinctions to be made in terms of their engagement with their environment. So: I liked it, but felt aware of its limitations while watching it. So I agree with Peter Bradshaw, who said that it has an outsider’s view and "depends for its full enjoyment on not being taken too seriously."
(I went to India when I was a fairly green teenager. I’ve seen the slums. I’ve seen the beggars, and my overwhelming feeling was that I could empty my pockets a thousand times over and it would be a drop in a bucket.)
Parminder Nagra’s British, of course. As is Dev Patel, who was cast by Boyle after watching him in Skins in part because he wasn’t the stereotypical young Indian male lead.
HyperIon
"Outsourced" is another recent movie with an India connection. Insightful and funny in parts and never stupid.
I haven’t seen "Slumdog" yet as I no longer see films in theaters (soundtrack too loud and audience members too rude). But "Born into Brothels" (a documentary that touched on some kid issues mentioned here) was quite enlightening.
OT but still related to India: PBS is showing a Michael Wood series on India. It seems much more alluring and exotic to me than China.
tavella
Huh? What should the "circumstances of his death" have to do with it? If he had the best performance of the year, then he should win it. Why should it be any different just because he had chronic insomnia and bad drug interactions?
Mnemosyne
I’m also confused why Ledger shouldn’t win because of the circumstances of his death if you’re fine with ex-convict Robert Downey Jr. winning. Clearly, it can’t be the drug use that bothers you if you’re okay with Downey, so what’s your argument?
Pooh
Slumdog is the tits.
That is all.
Stannate
While many Americans may not recognize Amitabh Bachchan (and as a way to make up for it, run and don’t walk to view Sholay), they may recognize his equally famous daughter-in-law.
Common Sense
McGuire is roundly rejected for the HOF. The Steelers are in the AFC Championship against their biggest rival.
And we get Woody Allen reviews and fashion critique from the single guy slurping Hola Fruita and petting his kitty while watching "the Globes."
I thought BJ got rid of the gay guy.
(just kidding John and Mike).
The Other Steve
Are you sure you aren’t talking about Woody Allen?
Steve V
Didn’t watch the Globes but just finished looking at the winners’ list. John Adams received an inordinate amount of love. I thought it was pretty mediocre.
Vlad
"I’m opposed to any movie where the camera work makes me physically nauseous."
Nauseated. Unless the camera work is leading you to inspire nausea in others.
germ78
Another recommendation for Slumdog Millionaire here. Best movie I’ve seen in a while. And as far as romances go, it was very well done. Not ham fisted and obnoxious like Titanic on the romance.
@HyperIon: Give it a shot. They did a good job with the sound levels so that the dialogue isn’t drowned out by obnoxious sound effects or overwhelming score. (which is one of my issues with TDK) In fact, I hope they win a technical Oscar for Sound, since they did a very good job with it. And when I saw it on Christmas, the theater was less than half-full, though that might change with this movie starting to pick up some buzz.
Phoenician in a time of Romans
Rachelle Lefevre – Weird, cause she’s only the 5th most attractive woman in that vampire movie.
Only seen her in "Boston Legal". I spent those episodes just gaping in awe.
The Bobs
Freida Pinto is indeed beautiful, but I will still pick Aishwarya Rai.
erin
What a night at the Golden Globes. Most of the awards were well deserved, but I think Kate Winslet takes the lead in most deserving this year! She looked absolutely
picture perfect last night as she went up there to receive a few awards. It’s about time she was recognized.
Cain
@The Bobs:
Rekha has them all beat. Second to that is Zeenat Aman. Whoo!
cain
rob
I highly recommend Cadillac Records, don’t worry Beyonce is only on screen for a total of 30 min and it’s near the end. If you are a fan of the blues and old R&B, you will not regret it. The acting is superb, Great flick.
Phoenix Woman
Hottest Hetero Screen Couple EVER: Salma Hayek and Antonio Banderas, in Desperado. That is all.
AnneLaurie
Doubt is well worth seeing, even at movie-ticket prices. I thought Streep overplayed the Bronx accent and the glittery eyes, but I was attending another St. Nicholas at the other end of the Grand Concourse in 1964 so I’m a tough audience there. Hoffman, on the other hand, deserves all the critical love he’s getting for making a possible kiddy-diddler both terrifying and somewhat sympathetic at the same time.
Also, considering my non-ex-parochial-school spouse’s reaction, it may help if you know enough of J.P. Shanley’s bio to spot the Hurley kid as his personal surrogate, which makes the rosenkrantz-sans-guilderstein role more explicable.
But if you have a chance, the stripped-down live play (Doubt: A Parable) is definitely the version to see. Even with one good professional and three amateurs of various talent levels, just an amazing piece of theatre!
Mike
I loved Slumdog Millionaire. Prepare for the backlash, though.
Regarding the Parminder Nagra debate, let’s be honest. She’s cute, not beautiful, yet she’s managed to be the love interest and the top of love triangle to numerous men on ER, some of whom are former "heartthrobs." It’s probably a little writerly affirmative action. It would be a ridiculous and demeaning exercise, but line up 100 Indian girls in their 20s in America by attractiveness and Nagra is at best #15, whereas Pinto is…jeebus.
Mike
Two movies that were mentioned above that are quite good:
1. The Visitor – Richard Jenkins, the great character actor who played the dad in Six Feet Under and Stepbrothers, is wonderful as a professor who checked out on life after his wife died. When he visits their NYC apartment after a long absence, he finds two illegal immigrants squatting there. It’s a great flick.
2. Outsourced – I’m not sure this even got a theatrical release. Josh Hamilton (Kicking and Screaming (the good one, not the Will Ferrell one)) plays a call center manager who’s sent to India to train the people to whom his job’s been outsourced. It’s very conventional fish-out-of-water, cultures-clash storyline is only remarkable in that the well-worn story devices lead to a really enjoyable movie.