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Post by MartinT on Dec 3, 2023 16:05:30 GMT
I've read all the books and may have been kinder to the Fincher in isolation but really the Swedish films slay it with Noomi Rapace outstanding in the part.
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Post by Tim on Dec 3, 2023 21:37:00 GMT
Thanks Tim - it's a shame there doesn't appear to be more insight into the performances. Well you highlighted it's potential problem thinking it would only be for fans of Bernstein and his music. If it was that kind of film, it would severely restrict it's audience, which is why it's the film it is (more of a romantic drama), especially as its been made for Netflix. That IMO is why both Spielberg and Scorsese turned it down, they would have wanted to make the film we wanted to see, a study of Bernstein and his music. It's not that film, so Bradley Cooper was the right person to make it. It only has its very short cinema release to be eligible for tinsel town, its Oscar click bait. But it isn't a bad film, it's just not the film you and I had hoped for, but I knew that was very unlikely . . . you can still hope though. It does show what a good director Bradley Cooper is and he should have a bright future ahead beyond acting. I just hope he extends his repertoire beyond musical romantic dramas, as he's got real talent behind the lens. |
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Post by julesd68 on Dec 3, 2023 21:40:53 GMT
I've read all the books and may have been kinder to the Fincher in isolation but really the Swedish films slay it with Noomi Rapace outstanding in the part. Indeed - it's years since I've seen the original so going to revisit that for sure, I remember enjoying it immensely. |
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Post by Slinger on Dec 3, 2023 23:57:46 GMT
I've read all the books and may have been kinder to the Fincher in isolation but really the Swedish films slay it with Noomi Rapace outstanding in the part. Indeed - it's years since I've seen the original so going to revisit that for sure, I remember enjoying it immensely. There's a vendor on Amazon with 100% feedback selling the 4-disc Blu-ray set " Used - Very Good" for £5.04 + £1.26 at the moment so. that's £6.30 for all three films, plus interviews and extras etc. |
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Post by julesd68 on Dec 4, 2023 1:59:29 GMT
Indeed - it's years since I've seen the original so going to revisit that for sure, I remember enjoying it immensely. There's a vendor on Amazon with 100% feedback selling the 4-disc Blu-ray set " Used - Very Good" for £5.04 + £1.26 at the moment so. that's £6.30 for all three films, plus interviews and extras etc. Thanks for that Paul - I've ordered it as the films are unavailable on Amazon at the moment. Nice to watch Blu-ray for a change as the picture quality is so much better than streaming. |
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Post by Slinger on Dec 4, 2023 13:44:09 GMT
I ordered a Blu-ray copy for myself, Jules. My DVD copy appears to be on permanent loan to my sister-in-law (it was she who first recommended the books to us) in Ireland.
One thing I do remember is that Jeanette wasn't overly keen on subtitles so we tried out the dubbed versions (which are included) and they were pretty well done. We never felt that they detracted from the stories.
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Post by julesd68 on Dec 4, 2023 14:39:13 GMT
Thanks Tim - it's a shame there doesn't appear to be more insight into the performances. Well you highlighted it's potential problem thinking it would only be for fans of Bernstein and his music. If it was that kind of film, it would severely restrict it's audience, which is why it's the film it is (more of a romantic drama), especially as its been made for Netflix. That IMO is why both Spielberg and Scorsese turned it down, they would have wanted to make the film we wanted to see, a study of Bernstein and his music. It's not that film, so Bradley Cooper was the right person to make it. It only has its very short cinema release to be eligible for tinsel town, its Oscar click bait. But it isn't a bad film, it's just not the film you and I had hoped for, but I knew that was very unlikely . . . you can still hope though. It does show what a good director Bradley Cooper is and he should have a bright future ahead beyond acting. I just hope he extends his repertoire beyond musical romantic dramas, as he's got real talent behind the lens. There's a very good summary here Tim - slippedisc.com/2023/12/whats-missing-in-bradley-coopers-maestro/ |
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Post by Tim on Dec 4, 2023 15:37:09 GMT
"It reduced Maestro to just another empty two hours of formulaic movie-making"
Perfectly summed up, that's why he's a critic and I'm not . . . . a Netflix film for a Netflix audience. Such a shame really, as a lot of effort clearly went into it (and money). That little red N in the corner of a film poster acts as my reminder that the film is 99 times out of 100 likely to be meh for my tastes, which is why I don't have Netflix. It's a good job I didn't pay to see it Jules, or I'd have been asking for my money back! 
____________
Moving on to brighter things - I just watched Fallen Leaves which won the Jury Prize at Cannes this year. Absolutely bloody brilliant, I was laughing so much I was in tears, I'm still grinning now! 81 minutes of pure joy and the polar opposite to formulaic movie-making. Having said all that, I very much doubt it would have much appeal here, as the current Palme d'Or winner, Anatomy of a Fall didn't garner much favour amongst you cinema chaps (looking at you Jules  ) and I thought that was brilliant too.
Still, at least you'll have heard of it - and it's definitely not a Netflix film.
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Post by Slinger on Dec 4, 2023 15:45:54 GMT
...Moving on to brighter things - I just watched Fallen Leaves which won the Jury Prize at Cannes this year. Absolutely bloody brilliant, I was laughing so much I was in tears, I'm still grinning now! 81 minutes of pure joy and the polar opposite to formulaic movie-making. Having said all that, I very much doubt it would have much appeal here, as the current Palme d'Or winner, Anatomy of a Fall didn't garner much favour amongst you cinema chaps (looking at you Jules ) and I thought that was brilliant too. Still, at least you'll have heard of it - and it's definitely not a Netflix film.
If only The Leningrad Cowboys were providing the soundtrack.  |
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Post by Tim on Dec 4, 2023 16:09:44 GMT
If only The Leningrad Cowboys were providing the soundtrack. Ah, obviously another Kaurismäki fan - top man Slinger  |
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Post by julesd68 on Dec 4, 2023 16:25:48 GMT
If only The Leningrad Cowboys were providing the soundtrack. Ah, obviously another Kaurismäki fan - top man Slinger Yuk. Aki Kaurismäki - no thanks. There’s something about his characterisations and style that I find irritating but I would struggle to put that into words exactly. I really am going to have to disregard Cannes completely. |
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Post by Tim on Dec 4, 2023 16:39:43 GMT
I really am going to have to disregard Cannes completely. Well if you didn't like Anatomy of a Fall, then this is unlikely to please either. It could well be my film of the year (Fallen Leaves), but I'll need to see it again as it definitely passes the repeat viewing test. I absolutely loved it and can't stop thinking about it.
I've seen about 60 films at the cinema during the last six months and only 7 have been Hollywood type films, so I've switched my priorities from mainstream cinema to independent/art house - which makes me pretty irrelevant for recommendations!
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Post by julesd68 on Dec 4, 2023 17:03:00 GMT
I really am going to have to disregard Cannes completely. Well if you didn't like Anatomy of a Fall, then this is unlikely to please either. It could well be my film of the year (Fallen Leaves), but I'll need to see it again as it definitely passes the repeat viewing test. I absolutely loved it and can't stop thinking about it.
I've seen about 60 films at the cinema during the last six months and only 7 have been Hollywood type films, so I've switched my priorities from mainstream cinema to independent/art house - which makes me pretty irrelevant for recommendations!
Not irrelevant at all! I like to hear about what you are watching Tim, even if our tastes sometimes diverge. For me, a good film is a good film whether mainstream, Hollywood, independent or art house etc - I enjoy them all. |
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Post by Tim on Dec 4, 2023 17:26:31 GMT
Not irrelevant at all! I like to hear about what you are watching Tim, even if our tastes sometimes diverge. Well I'd be very surprised if we're not both on the same page for Maestro. |
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Post by Slinger on Dec 4, 2023 17:33:14 GMT
How can you not LOVE this..?
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Post by MartinT on Dec 4, 2023 18:14:53 GMT
For me, a good film is a good film whether mainstream, Hollywood, independent or art house etc - I enjoy them all. Exactly. |
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Post by Tim on Dec 4, 2023 18:48:45 GMT
Yup, I'd agree with that, but unfortunately I share Chris Gore's view that 99% of movies today are garbage - mainstream that is.
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Post by Slinger on Dec 4, 2023 19:31:03 GMT
Like most things, the vast majority of the " mainstream" will always cater to the lowest common denominator, which is where the most revenue is generated, and which seems to be lower every year. Mainstream films are not not out to educate the masses, merely to entertain them without taxing their brains too much. As with music, although there may still be ample innovation if one searches for it it's not what funds Spotify/Amazon/Qobuz/etc. Occasionally there is a surprise crossover, Taylor Swift springs to mind in the music biz, and Billie Eilish to a degree, while Tim could probably identify anything similar as far as film is concerned better than I. I'm now killing myself laughing because I genuinely almost wrote "celluloid" instead of "film". To quote a mainstream movie which I like - " I'm getting too old for this shit". |
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Post by MartinT on Dec 4, 2023 21:06:31 GMT
Sometimes the masses can be right, for instance Dire Straits. Mostly, not.
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Post by Slinger on Dec 4, 2023 21:30:52 GMT
Sometimes the masses can be right, for instance Dire Straits. Mostly, not. Dire Straits started out as an unknown band, and it was only through a couple of DJs playing Sultans... regularly that they gained traction, and their musicianship brought them fame. I'm talking more about todays " manufactured" so-called stars. |
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) and I thought that was brilliant too.
