On 22 Jan 2012 at 3:18pm jrsussex wrote:
BBC 2 last night. A film called DOUBT which I have not previously seen, a extremely powerful performance by Meryl Streep and supporting actors in the film. If you have not seen it well worth a look.
Any thoughts on THE IRON LADY, I saw it this week. A good film but on balance probably would have been better to have been be made after her passing away. Am going to see War Horse and J Edgar Hoover, any reviews on those by anyone that has seen them?
On 22 Jan 2012 at 4:01pm Southover Queen wrote:
Iron Lady: I think Streep's performance is amazing, but I think the scope of the film is far far too great. The fractured memory the film explores would have had much greater impact if the script had concentrated on a more compact period - just after the 1979 election through to the Falklands War, for instance? As it is it's like a biopic constructed through flashbacks rather than offering any real insight into how she handled the great ship of state at crucial times. Anyone really interested in the ebb and flow of politics will, I think, be frustrated, but maybe you disagree.
J Edgar Hoover: I've only seen a couple of scenes. The makeup looked awful, for what it's worth!
War Horse: I thought it was appalling - Hollywood sentimental nonsense
and a real disappointment, although the section in the trenches was very well done. The end is shot in saturated orange, apparently as a tribute to Gone With The Wind. The stage play is in a completely different league.
On 22 Jan 2012 at 4:31pm lewisian wrote:
seen war horse only worth watching if you are into horses
neigh good otherwise
On 22 Jan 2012 at 7:28pm jrsussex wrote:
SQ - I absolutely agree with your comments, the idea of flashbacks throughout the entire film, giving each event/period so little time, did not do justice to the subject irrespective of which side of the fence one is on in regard to Thatcher. I think that had M Streep not be as brilliant as she was the film may well have flopped.
SQ & Lewisian - Thank you for the War Horse comments, I have heard from several people that it is nowhere near as good as the stage production.
J Edgar Hoover - I own up to being a De Caprio fan so will go and see it whatever. I haven't seen him in a really bad film. I've no doubt that comment will bring in some suggestions:-)
Thank you for your time
On 22 Jan 2012 at 10:38pm queequeg wrote:
War Horse is a well made film accurately depicting the tenor of the book and stage performance. It lacks the charm of the puppetry that has been the reason for the story coming to such prominence. It is a 12A version of a children's book in the genre of Black Beauty or the Railway Children. A feel good film of some charm and good performances showing mankind at its worst moments in a not too bad light. I would recommend it.
On 23 Jan 2012 at 2:51pm Ratty wrote:
I saw J Edgar last night. It's pretty good, and an interesting portrayal of him, though not very sympathetic. He doesn't come across as a charmer. However it chops the timeline around a lot which can be a bit confusing and annoying. It is very wordy film indeed and you have to concentrate. Difficult to tell how much of it is truth and how much is fiction. Worth a watch esp if you don't know much about Hoover, which I didn't. di Caprio is best as young J Edgar rather than as an old man.
On 23 Jan 2012 at 9:54pm jrsussex wrote:
Not seen the film yet, I'm going this weekend. I am a committed biography reader, have been for years. J Edgar Hoover was a very unpleasant man. Kept many files on many people and consistently used then to gain the upper hand. It is the real reason he stayed in the position he did for so many years, everybody was afraid to dismiss him. I'm interested to see if the film reflects that.
On 24 Jan 2012 at 8:51am Ratty wrote:
Yes, it most certainly does reflect that. Nixon was clearly desperate to get his hands on those files when he came to power.
On 24 Jan 2012 at 12:19pm jrsussex wrote:
If you read the various biographies you will read that when Marilyn Monroe died the house was cleaned out of all writing material, tapes and other removable items. The sweep was carried out by "secret agents", strongly suspected to be Hoover's men. Her relationship with both Kennedy's and the mafia are well documented. It is my belief that MM was murdered. This thread has drifted, I apologise.