Miscellaneous Movie Musings the Sequel - Page 109

Ghoulish Delight · 08-11-2011, 02:34 PM

We just watched it (bringing our total to 7/10 of the Best Picture nominees!)

It wasn't my favorite of the nominees, but that comes down to personal taste. It was good enough that I can't argue with its victory. Sure I found 127 hours more powerful, and Social Network a more interesting story. But King's Speech told a great story, with great personalities, while doing a good job of painting a picture of the culture of the British monarchy and the specific politics of the time without distracting from the strength of the character piece. All things the make it well qualified to win the prize.

And yes, HBC was great, and underutilized.

Alex · 08-11-2011, 03:00 PM

Has anybody else actually seen Winter's Bone? (Which was my favorite of the nominees though it never had a chance.)

Eliza Hodgkins 1812 · 09-22-2011, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alex

Has anybody else actually seen Winter's Bone? (Which was my favorite of the nominees though it never had a chance.)

It was one of my favorite films last year. John Hawkes amazed.

innerSpaceman · 08-11-2011, 05:05 PM

I rather think HBC was the heart of the piece, and her warm strength and obvious affection for Bertie were, for me, central to the film's charms.

I couldn't make it through Winter's Bone, Alex. Granted, I did not give it a fair shake - but the same crappy shake I give most movies I watch at home (i.e., you are on in the background and have 45 minutes max to grab my attention from all the other stuff I'm doing while I purportedly "watch" you.)

(The King's Speech did grab that attention - I stopped it in background mode, and sat and watched it from the beginning - so I'll give it that.)

What did you like about Winter's Bone, Alex? Maybe I should give it a much more fair shake and a second chance (King's Speech had a second chance, after all).

mousepod · 08-12-2011, 08:45 AM

I'm with Alex on Winter's Bone. Easily my favorite, with Social Network a close second (as far as I can recall, at least).

For me, The King's Speech was only enjoyable to watch the two leads playing off each other. I guess I just don't give a crap about the British monarchy, which might have contributed to my less than engaged attitude.

What's a great movie out now? I really liked Point Blank, but not in a Best Picture sort of way...

Alex · 08-12-2011, 10:01 AM

The finely crafted characters and slowly building sense of place is what I loved about Winter's Bone. Probably not something that would come across with distracted watching.

Alex · 08-12-2011, 10:02 AM

I think I mentioned it above but I really liked the new Brendan Gleeson movie The Guard. Also not in a Best Picture sort of way, but it was entertaining.

Did not care for Another Earth.

innerSpaceman · 08-12-2011, 03:16 PM

Believe me, I'm really not interested in ANYTHING that's good in a Best Picture kind of way.

I'll have to give Winter's Bone another shot, when my life slows down a bit. Maybe in 2015 or so.

Strangler Lewis · 08-12-2011, 08:42 PM

I enjoyed The King's Speech a great deal. I also read a book on the story by Lionel Logue's grandson. In the book, Bertie was not nearly as anguished about the whole prospect of improving himself. Had me wondering how much the filmmakers out and out invented and how much they assumed the grandson had whitewashed.

innerSpaceman · 08-13-2011, 06:19 AM

Actually, while I can't say the filmmakers didn't invent things for dramatic purpose, one of the bizarre tales of the movie is that 6 weeks into pre-production, they interviewed the grandson - who produced Logue's personal diary for them - which had never been used for any other source about the story. This was, as you might imagine, a treasure trove for the filmmakers.

On the commentary, the director says the diary was followed pretty closely - so I'm going to assume the movie - with allowances for dramatic license - follows Logue's point-of-view of the proceedings fairly well.

08-11-2011, 02:34 PM	#1
Ghoulish Delight I Floop the Pig Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Alternative Swankstyle Posts: 19,348	We just watched it (bringing our total to 7/10 of the Best Picture nominees!) It wasn't my favorite of the nominees, but that comes down to personal taste. It was good enough that I can't argue with its victory. Sure I found 127 hours more powerful, and Social Network a more interesting story. But King's Speech told a great story, with great personalities, while doing a good job of painting a picture of the culture of the British monarchy and the specific politics of the time without distracting from the strength of the character piece. All things the make it well qualified to win the prize. And yes, HBC was great, and underutilized. __________________ 'He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me.' -TJ
	Submit to Quotes

08-11-2011, 03:00 PM	#2
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	Has anybody else actually seen Winter's Bone? (Which was my favorite of the nominees though it never had a chance.)
	Submit to Quotes

08-11-2011, 05:05 PM	#4
innerSpaceman Kink of Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inner Space Posts: 13,075	I rather think HBC was the heart of the piece, and her warm strength and obvious affection for Bertie were, for me, central to the film's charms. I couldn't make it through Winter's Bone, Alex. Granted, I did not give it a fair shake - but the same crappy shake I give most movies I watch at home (i.e., you are on in the background and have 45 minutes max to grab my attention from all the other stuff I'm doing while I purportedly "watch" you.) (The King's Speech did grab that attention - I stopped it in background mode, and sat and watched it from the beginning - so I'll give it that.) What did you like about Winter's Bone, Alex? Maybe I should give it a much more fair shake and a second chance (King's Speech had a second chance, after all).
	Submit to Quotes

08-12-2011, 08:45 AM	#5
mousepod You broke your Ramadar! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,635	I'm with Alex on Winter's Bone. Easily my favorite, with Social Network a close second (as far as I can recall, at least). For me, The King's Speech was only enjoyable to watch the two leads playing off each other. I guess I just don't give a crap about the British monarchy, which might have contributed to my less than engaged attitude. What's a great movie out now? I really liked Point Blank, but not in a Best Picture sort of way... __________________ "Give the public everything you can give them, keep the place as clean as you can keep it, keep it friendly" - Walt Disney
	Submit to Quotes

08-12-2011, 10:01 AM	#6
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	The finely crafted characters and slowly building sense of place is what I loved about Winter's Bone. Probably not something that would come across with distracted watching.
	Submit to Quotes

08-12-2011, 10:02 AM	#7
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	I think I mentioned it above but I really liked the new Brendan Gleeson movie The Guard. Also not in a Best Picture sort of way, but it was entertaining. Did not care for Another Earth.
	Submit to Quotes

08-12-2011, 03:16 PM	#8
innerSpaceman Kink of Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inner Space Posts: 13,075	Believe me, I'm really not interested in ANYTHING that's good in a Best Picture kind of way. I'll have to give Winter's Bone another shot, when my life slows down a bit. Maybe in 2015 or so.
	Submit to Quotes

08-12-2011, 08:42 PM	#9
Strangler Lewis Doing The Job Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: In a state Posts: 3,956	I enjoyed The King's Speech a great deal. I also read a book on the story by Lionel Logue's grandson. In the book, Bertie was not nearly as anguished about the whole prospect of improving himself. Had me wondering how much the filmmakers out and out invented and how much they assumed the grandson had whitewashed. __________________ Live now-pay later. Diner's Club!
	Submit to Quotes

08-13-2011, 06:19 AM	#10
innerSpaceman Kink of Swank Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Inner Space Posts: 13,075	Actually, while I can't say the filmmakers didn't invent things for dramatic purpose, one of the bizarre tales of the movie is that 6 weeks into pre-production, they interviewed the grandson - who produced Logue's personal diary for them - which had never been used for any other source about the story. This was, as you might imagine, a treasure trove for the filmmakers. On the commentary, the director says the diary was followed pretty closely - so I'm going to assume the movie - with allowances for dramatic license - follows Logue's point-of-view of the proceedings fairly well.
	Submit to Quotes