Miscellaneous Movie Musings - Page 112

LSPoorEeyorick · 09-16-2006, 12:08 AM

We saw "Confetti" tonight-- little Fox Searchlight/BBC Films production done in mockumentary style a la Christopher Guest. Though not as good as Guest's best work, it kept us chuckling.

The film's premise was a contest as thrown by a wedding magazine trying to find England's most unique wedding themes. It came down to three-- tennis, nudist, and vintage Hollywood musical.

Seeing as the latter selection was only off our own approaching wedding theme by one word, we were definitely amused. (Also by the others.) Not necessarily a rush-to-see-in-theatres film (and likely you won't be able to) but a good possibility for your Netflix account, if you need silliness.

Cadaverous Pallor · 09-16-2006, 10:21 AM

We are not going to have time to see Little Miss Sunshine any time soon.

Too much going on. It's bumming me out.

Snowflake · 09-16-2006, 12:31 PM

Tonight is sushi at Japan Town and then either The Illusionist or Hollywoodland at the Kabuki.

Snowflake · 09-16-2006, 10:07 PM

Tonight's fare was Hollywoodland. On a scale of 1 to 10 I'd give it a 5. Well cast, the film could have been tightened up by a good 30 minutes of trimming. The intrercutting between the flashbacks and the present were choppy and excessive and disturbed the flow when something was slowly building, and then nothing. Essentially, I felt the whole film was a slow build to nothing.

Affleck was handsome and charming enough, but I didn't really care for Reeves as a person or character in this film at all. I think the best scene was an early one in which he meets the Diane Lane character, Toni Mannix, those fairly crackle with possibility. Then we get to the skid row, second rate detective story. I love Adrien Brody, but this sub-plot of the divorcee detective and his angst ridden son and bitter ex-wife did not really move the plot along.

Bob Hoskins was short and sweet as Eddie Mannix. Not enough to do, but the denouement with Brody was excellent.

Diane Lane was a bit over the top, but in a good way. Got to give her props, she played and older woman, was made up that way and pulled it off. Loved her pink t-bird, that was the real Lana Turner moment, think The Bad & the Beautiful (now that is something they should show at the cemetary screenings).

Some of the movie seemed over crowded, cramped sets, claustrophobic. Cinematography was good, it had the lush, 1950s look to it. But the direction was plodding, imo. As I said, 30 minutes could have been trimmed easily.

In the end, the movie solved nothing, gives you three options and leaves it to the viewer to figure out what really killed old Superman. The sad thing, you get to the end of the movie and you don't really care about poor old George or anyone else for that matter.

tracilicious · 09-16-2006, 10:53 PM

Saw Vera Drake last night. Quite good, I thought. I liked how they addressed the different issues of abortion without being too preachy on any side. Sort of a neutral view. Imelda Staunton was amazing in it.

Gemini Cricket · 09-17-2006, 04:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tracilicious

Saw Vera Drake last night. Quite good, I thought. I liked how they addressed the different issues of abortion without being too preachy on any side. Sort of a neutral view. Imelda Staunton was amazing in it.

I agree. The movie is quite good. And, as always, Imelda Staunton gives an excellent performance. I was amazed at how well paced the movie was. I just bought a copy from a Blockbuster near Chris and Lisa's. $5! Yeehaw!

Alex · 09-17-2006, 04:32 AM

I agree that Vera Drake was very good but I found it quite preachy and anything but neutral.

tracilicious · 09-17-2006, 10:20 AM

Really? I thought that they presented just about every side of the story. Young girls getting an abortion because they couldn't care for a child, legalized abortions being safer but expensive and more invasive, and the risks of do-it-yourself abortions.

innerSpaceman · 09-17-2006, 10:24 AM

Eh, a bit preachy, but moving. Staunton's performance sold it beautifully.

Gemini Cricket · 09-17-2006, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by innerSpaceman

Eh, a bit preachy...

Maybe I should watch it again, because I didn't get that from the movie at all...

09-16-2006, 12:08 AM	#1111
LSPoorEeyorick scribblin' Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: in the moment Posts: 3,872	We saw "Confetti" tonight-- little Fox Searchlight/BBC Films production done in mockumentary style a la Christopher Guest. Though not as good as Guest's best work, it kept us chuckling. The film's premise was a contest as thrown by a wedding magazine trying to find England's most unique wedding themes. It came down to three-- tennis, nudist, and vintage Hollywood musical. Seeing as the latter selection was only off our own approaching wedding theme by one word, we were definitely amused. (Also by the others.) Not necessarily a rush-to-see-in-theatres film (and likely you won't be able to) but a good possibility for your Netflix account, if you need silliness.
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09-16-2006, 10:21 AM	#1112
Cadaverous Pallor ohhhh baby Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Parental Bliss Posts: 12,364	We are not going to have time to see Little Miss Sunshine any time soon. Too much going on. It's bumming me out. __________________ The second star to the right shines in the night for you
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09-16-2006, 12:31 PM	#1113
Snowflake lost in the fog Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 7,831	Tonight is sushi at Japan Town and then either The Illusionist or Hollywoodland at the Kabuki. __________________ Be yourself; everyone else is already taken. - Oscar Wilde
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09-16-2006, 10:07 PM	#1114
Snowflake lost in the fog Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 7,831	Tonight's fare was Hollywoodland. On a scale of 1 to 10 I'd give it a 5. Well cast, the film could have been tightened up by a good 30 minutes of trimming. The intrercutting between the flashbacks and the present were choppy and excessive and disturbed the flow when something was slowly building, and then nothing. Essentially, I felt the whole film was a slow build to nothing. Affleck was handsome and charming enough, but I didn't really care for Reeves as a person or character in this film at all. I think the best scene was an early one in which he meets the Diane Lane character, Toni Mannix, those fairly crackle with possibility. Then we get to the skid row, second rate detective story. I love Adrien Brody, but this sub-plot of the divorcee detective and his angst ridden son and bitter ex-wife did not really move the plot along. Bob Hoskins was short and sweet as Eddie Mannix. Not enough to do, but the denouement with Brody was excellent. Diane Lane was a bit over the top, but in a good way. Got to give her props, she played and older woman, was made up that way and pulled it off. Loved her pink t-bird, that was the real Lana Turner moment, think The Bad & the Beautiful (now that is something they should show at the cemetary screenings). Some of the movie seemed over crowded, cramped sets, claustrophobic. Cinematography was good, it had the lush, 1950s look to it. But the direction was plodding, imo. As I said, 30 minutes could have been trimmed easily. In the end, the movie solved nothing, gives you three options and leaves it to the viewer to figure out what really killed old Superman. The sad thing, you get to the end of the movie and you don't really care about poor old George or anyone else for that matter. __________________ Be yourself; everyone else is already taken. - Oscar Wilde
	Submit to Quotes

09-16-2006, 10:53 PM	#1115
tracilicious avatar transition Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: in-between Posts: 2,487	Saw Vera Drake last night. Quite good, I thought. I liked how they addressed the different issues of abortion without being too preachy on any side. Sort of a neutral view. Imelda Staunton was amazing in it. __________________ And now Harry, let us step into the night and pursue that flighty temptress, adventure! - Albus Dumbledore
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09-17-2006, 04:32 AM	#1117
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	I agree that Vera Drake was very good but I found it quite preachy and anything but neutral.
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09-17-2006, 10:20 AM	#1118
tracilicious avatar transition Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: in-between Posts: 2,487	Really? I thought that they presented just about every side of the story. Young girls getting an abortion because they couldn't care for a child, legalized abortions being safer but expensive and more invasive, and the risks of do-it-yourself abortions. __________________ And now Harry, let us step into the night and pursue that flighty temptress, adventure! - Albus Dumbledore
	Submit to Quotes

09-17-2006, 10:24 AM	#1119
innerSpaceman Kink of Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inner Space Posts: 13,075	Eh, a bit preachy, but moving. Staunton's performance sold it beautifully.
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