Heh. I've been questioned for months on why I think The Lovely Bones won't live up to expectations. "But, Robert," they say, "You LIKE horror films and this is based off of a great horror novel with a great cast and great director." I tell them one of the three is right. The cast, and the cast alone, looked good to me. I'm not a fan of the novel and Ronan, Sarandon, and Tucci were my only interest in the project.
Wow, I wanted this to be good. The trailer didn't convince me when it came out, but I was (am) rooting for Ronan, I want her to be the youngest actress with two nods.
Well.. I guess that's what happens when a film gets hyped for months. It's coming out too late if you ask me. The Revolutionary Road of 2009.
Even from the very brief clip I was disappointed with what Sarandon was (given to) do(ing).
I suspect the experience of seeing LOVELY BONES might be similar to PRECIOUS in that everything will be overblown for the masses.
I saw PRECIOUS yesterday and, YES -without a doubt - that Mo'Nique did do one hell of a fine job (her scene at the end in the Social Worker's office is a fine thing to behold) and Sidibe is perfectly cast and meets the challenge just fine (and I really liked Mariah Carey too) - but come on people, PRECIOUS is not a great film. \
Granted, it is extremely heartfelt and the facts of the story are wrenching but it's a bit overblown which lessens its emotional impact and cheapens the story. Think of someone like Mike Nichols doing this picture back in the VIRGINIA WOLF days and imagine what that might have been like. I just feel like they really went for the crowd pleasing "drama" points at the expense of some real insight. Anyway inconsistent tone means overdirected to me, anyway.
This was my most anticipated movie of the year but after learning about the change Jackson made, I am glad you disliked it! Although I wish Saoirse was good.
Okay I can see why you would call TLB over directed, but Precious isn't at all. It is under directed. Completely sloppy, no shot progression, same thing over and over again.
Not surprised-- like Mr. Jeffrey says, the book itself was a little over-written (horribly fake dialogue) so it makes complete sense that a movie based on the book would be the same.
I agree with whoever said it. Just because he doesn't like it doesn't mean you won't. Do not based your seeing of a movie off a critic. It is only his opinion. Regardless I am going to see this movie because I have been wanting to see it for a while, and then make up my own opinion.
How much of that C- was you not wanting it to succeed? :) you've been busting its b@lls in the prediction chart ever since spring, feeling very doubtful about it.
I feel bad that you don't like it. And then I remember that I gave Happy Go Lucky a C. So, we're probably not on the same page on everything. I'm sorry you didn't like it though.
@ ALEX -- i never root for movies to fail ...well, okay occassionally i am not unhappy when they do... but i love peter jackson, saoirse ronan and susan sarandon and i even liked the book.
so why would i be rooting for it to fail?
I can't see Tucci winning for this, no.
@ANDREW -- Happy-Go-Lucky you gave a "C" ? u crazy! ;)
Maybe liking the book is a problem watching this film.
Though the book was hugely popular, I know some people who think the book is overrated or simply bad.
I just read an interview with Jackson and he said he made the film for a teenage audience. He wanted his daughter to be able to watch it. Maybe teens will make this movie a hit. Have they showed The Lovely Bones trailer with Twilight: New Moon?
gabrieloak -- i doubt that that was the problem for me. I don't remember the book all that well (not a favorite or anything, not sacred) but i did enjoy it when i read it.
I finally saw the full trailer for this and what it feels like to me is that to make it legible for audiences they've made it into a "catch the perv" thriller, when that was the basis for the novel which was about grief and loss. Sometimes books can do things more magical than film, even though I know that's not a popular position. I liked the book, but I do think that pushing it to be a tortured suspense thriller (or at least that's what the campaign looks like) can only push the film off-kilter.
WHAT!?
ReplyDeleteNOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!
I did think this would be all hype no delivery. I didn't think the mix of grim reality and imagined heaven in film would work.
ReplyDeleteOMG! Anything on Susan Sarandon, the one and only that u kept in your pocket?
ReplyDeleteP.S GOD, I MISSED YOU AND THIS BLOG!
Aweeee noooo! I had really high hopes for this. I really want to know what you think of Ronan's performance.
ReplyDeleteSigh. Disappointing. Hopefully it's one of those films where I end up going to with lowered expectations and in the end find it pretty good.
ReplyDeleteOh Jesus! So? what do you think? You make us wanting more about your thoughts... And Susan Sarandon? Will she get an Oscar nod?
ReplyDeleteOoh, that's hateful.
ReplyDeleteBummer, actually. The trailer looks promising.
Heh. I've been questioned for months on why I think The Lovely Bones won't live up to expectations. "But, Robert," they say, "You LIKE horror films and this is based off of a great horror novel with a great cast and great director." I tell them one of the three is right. The cast, and the cast alone, looked good to me. I'm not a fan of the novel and Ronan, Sarandon, and Tucci were my only interest in the project.
ReplyDeleteOver directed? Definitely. But I was able to enjoy it. I would give it a B. Techs were spectacular and I want Ronan and Tucci to be nominated.
ReplyDeletenooooooooo
ReplyDeleteNOOOOOOOOO
i still had my last bits of hope for this.
i was thinking a jackson fan like you would like it at least.
alas...
i'm still gonna watch it for sure though.
I still have hope for this one. I'll have to see it for myself!
ReplyDeleteWow, I wanted this to be good. The trailer didn't convince me when it came out, but I was (am) rooting for Ronan, I want her to be the youngest actress with two nods.
ReplyDeleteWell.. I guess that's what happens when a film gets hyped for months. It's coming out too late if you ask me. The Revolutionary Road of 2009.
Ronan and Tucci for sure (I hope!)
ReplyDeleteEven from the very brief clip I was disappointed with what Sarandon was (given to) do(ing).
I suspect the experience of seeing LOVELY BONES might be similar to PRECIOUS in that everything will be overblown for the masses.
I saw PRECIOUS yesterday and, YES -without a doubt - that Mo'Nique did do one hell of a fine job (her scene at the end in the Social Worker's office is a fine thing to behold) and Sidibe is perfectly cast and meets the challenge just fine (and I really liked Mariah Carey too) - but come on people, PRECIOUS is not a great film. \
Granted, it is extremely heartfelt and the facts of the story are wrenching but it's a bit overblown which lessens its emotional impact and cheapens the story. Think of someone like Mike Nichols doing this picture back in the VIRGINIA WOLF days and imagine what that might have been like. I just feel like they really went for the crowd pleasing "drama" points at the expense of some real insight. Anyway inconsistent tone means overdirected to me, anyway.
This was my most anticipated movie of the year but after learning about the change Jackson made, I am glad you disliked it! Although I wish Saoirse was good.
ReplyDeleteSaw a screening on Sunday and agree it's terribly over-directed. Would give it a B- overall. Only love I have is for Ronan and Tucci.
ReplyDeleteWahlberg was painful at displaying anything resembling fatherly warmth and Weisz and Sarandon were given little to work with.
Calm down, people. Just because he didn't like it doesn't mean you won't like it. Besides, who didn't see this coming?
ReplyDeletepeopleRonan isn't bad in this at all. But she doesn't really have a character to play.
ReplyDeletelawyer where ya been?
lucky probably that, yes.
Ouch. Never have seven words and a letter grade been so damning.
ReplyDeleteI am totally unsurprised.
geh, I still get the feeling I'll enjoy this one altho I normally have the same thoughts on films as you ha ha = \
ReplyDeleteOkay I can see why you would call TLB over directed, but Precious isn't at all. It is under directed. Completely sloppy, no shot progression, same thing over and over again.
ReplyDeleteJust a teeny tiny film student nit pick :)
I could tell from the trailer it wasn't gonna be good and from reading the treacly book.
ReplyDeleteNot surprised-- like Mr. Jeffrey says, the book itself was a little over-written (horribly fake dialogue) so it makes complete sense that a movie based on the book would be the same.
ReplyDeleteI agree with whoever said it. Just because he doesn't like it doesn't mean you won't. Do not based your seeing of a movie off a critic. It is only his opinion. Regardless I am going to see this movie because I have been wanting to see it for a while, and then make up my own opinion.
ReplyDeleteI will read his review though.
Possible win for Tucci?
ReplyDeleteOuch, I wanted this to be good...
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI read that 7 word review and I swear I got the same reaction as Raimunda while watching Agustina on TV... (Volver)
ReplyDeleteHow much of that C- was you not wanting it to succeed? :)
ReplyDeleteyou've been busting its b@lls in the prediction chart ever since spring, feeling very doubtful about it.
This must be bad. You said it was bad. Scott Feinberg loathes it... *sighs* should I even want to see this anymore?
ReplyDeleteI feel bad that you don't like it. And then I remember that I gave Happy Go Lucky a C. So, we're probably not on the same page on everything. I'm sorry you didn't like it though.
ReplyDeleteSeems like best actress is narrowing all the time,i think ronan will struggle
ReplyDeletei think these 7 are th eonly ones in serious contention.
streep
mulligan
cotillard
mirren
bullock
cornsih
sidibe
@ ALEX -- i never root for movies to fail ...well, okay occassionally i am not unhappy when they do... but i love peter jackson, saoirse ronan and susan sarandon and i even liked the book.
ReplyDeleteso why would i be rooting for it to fail?
I can't see Tucci winning for this, no.
@ANDREW -- Happy-Go-Lucky you gave a "C" ? u crazy! ;)
Maybe liking the book is a problem watching this film.
ReplyDeleteThough the book was hugely popular, I know some people who think the book is overrated or simply bad.
I just read an interview with Jackson and he said he made the film for a teenage audience. He wanted his daughter to be able to watch it. Maybe teens will make this movie a hit. Have they showed The Lovely Bones trailer with Twilight: New Moon?
gabrieloak -- i doubt that that was the problem for me. I don't remember the book all that well (not a favorite or anything, not sacred) but i did enjoy it when i read it.
ReplyDeleteI finally saw the full trailer for this and what it feels like to me is that to make it legible for audiences they've made it into a "catch the perv" thriller, when that was the basis for the novel which was about grief and loss. Sometimes books can do things more magical than film, even though I know that's not a popular position. I liked the book, but I do think that pushing it to be a tortured suspense thriller (or at least that's what the campaign looks like) can only push the film off-kilter.
ReplyDelete