tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post4575730732945316375..comments2024-03-17T10:11:46.952-04:00Comments on Film Experience Blog: Twelve Thoughts I Had Whilst Watching EnchantedNATHANIEL Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11597109147678235399noreply@blogger.comBlogger56125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-19644783122697671772007-12-13T20:46:00.000-05:002007-12-13T20:46:00.000-05:00Adams took an okay part and made it great, just li...Adams took an okay part and made it great, just like Meryl Streep did last year. Of course, the Academy scrambles to get Meryl nominated at every opportunity, but it is more than likely that Adams will get some attention too.<BR/><BR/>She’s also in Charlie Wilson’s War (albeit in a small role) so I think she won’t be forgotten come voting time.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-30177464833332879872007-12-04T21:09:00.000-05:002007-12-04T21:09:00.000-05:00I completely agree with sammy jo. I think the Holl...I completely agree with sammy jo. I think the Hollywood industry has made people 'forget' what acting is supposed to be about, and what exactly actors are supposed to be. Its a craft! An expressive art, like painting or dancing. <BR/><BR/>What annoys me the most, is how many 'actors' dont bother trying to improve as performers, even though thats what their trade is supposed to be about. Yet they still reap the benefits of being an 'actor' and feel sorry for themselves when films flop or they dont get the desired roles. Its all just about ego these days, and thats knocked the bar down.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-80187495045469016212007-12-03T00:25:00.000-05:002007-12-03T00:25:00.000-05:00It is the height of arrogance when actors decide t...It is the height of arrogance when actors decide to star in film musicals and don't have any vocal training--though I guess Depp sang in a band when he was younger. And it's even worse when directors think they should film musicals with nonsingers.<BR/>I want to like Sweeney Todd but I wondering if all these talented missed the boat here.gabrieloakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00460263240309976652noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-58640110428592798222007-12-02T19:09:00.000-05:002007-12-02T19:09:00.000-05:00Oh Nathaniel, can you imagine having all the resou...Oh Nathaniel, can you imagine having all the resources at hand that Depp must have had, and not WANT to train with the best vocal coaches? On that libretto? I would die to be in that position! <BR/>That is a real sticking point with me as well as far as Sweeney Todd goes.<BR/>To me that may well be the difference between great and brilliant. <BR/><BR/>Anonymous, I respect your opinion, truly. I did say there were exceptions...I can't think of any offhand...can you? If an actor came from the stage, for example, that is every bit as important.<BR/><BR/>I too feel that it has become too easy to be a performing artist of any kind. We except mediocrity everywhere including the Presidency of The United States. It infuriates me. <BR/><BR/>Hilary Duff makes millions of dollars as a singer, even though she can barely sing a note. Cameron Diaz worked with Martin Scorsese. Renee Zellweger won an Oscar. Zac Efron is the future?<BR/><BR/>All I can say is, Oy Vey!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-9840989627173872592007-12-02T18:59:00.000-05:002007-12-02T18:59:00.000-05:00No one said that the Academy was inclusive first o...No one said that the Academy was inclusive first of all. Frankly, I don't care that they don't reward sci-fi or comedies or whatever, but the original proposition was that novices don't deserve the same type of acknowledgement that more pedigreed actors enjoy simply b/c they don't share the same acting "stock". That's wrong and snobby elitism, and nothing anyone says will change my view on that. Some landmark performances have come from novices, and those roles would have never been realized or recognized if casting directors and Academy members had that same kind of tunnelvision.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-46957440673318999822007-12-02T17:44:00.000-05:002007-12-02T17:44:00.000-05:00you should probably try and relax about this. EVER...you should probably try and relax about this. EVERYONE has their biases. Yours are clearly in favor of every opinion and every degree of craft is equal to every other... which is not something that I particularly share.<BR/><BR/>it's totally cool to disagree. but you should probably realize that there'd be MANY more great performances recognized if the academy themselves would drop their bizarre rules of exclusion. (in other words: the academy has ignored lots of great things and it's like you're claiming that they don't make exclusionary mistakes which is odd no matter how you slice it.) <BR/><BR/>our BS (each persons being different, you know) it's not lame BS anymore than the academy's decisions are automatically lame BS because they have very obvious things that they won't consider awards worthy no matter how good they are (see: performances in comedies, sci fi films, etcetera) or how mediocre they are (see: performances in biopics, usually rewarded whether they're brilliant or merely serviceable)<BR/><BR/>just something to think about<BR/><BR/>if you want great performances from unexpected places to be honored the ACADEMY is probably not the best place to lookNATHANIEL Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11597109147678235399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-63906303419049726712007-12-02T16:36:00.000-05:002007-12-02T16:36:00.000-05:00That's still snobbery of the worst kind. What make...That's still snobbery of the worst kind. What makes you better than anyone else in determining what kinds of "art" gets singled out for awards consideration, or what level of pedigree is worthy for something versus not? Some truly great performances have come from unexpected places, and those performances would have never been known or recognized if some pompous blow-hard came along and said "this isn't the kind of work that gets acknowledged in <I>my</I> academy". It's lame BS through and through.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-66441268450641552892007-12-02T16:18:00.000-05:002007-12-02T16:18:00.000-05:00sammy jo. that was hilarious. I have no problem wi...sammy jo. that was hilarious. <BR/><BR/>I have no problem with "elitist" thinking when it comes to the arts. The standards are falling too much now that everyone thinks everyone is equal. It's the american idol problem 'YOU TOO CAN BE A STAR' that encourages people to think of talent and fame as luck rather than talent as what it is: potential. Rewards (for both performer and audience) are greater when they come from people who really know what they're doing.<BR/><BR/>this is why i got a bit pissed at Johnny Depp for not vocally training for Sweeney Todd and Tim Burton for basically boasting that he cast non-singers. To me that's an insult to professional singers... or actors who really train for their parts. though I also recognize that Depp is a genius actor so i'm not trying to diss him. or bring this subject up again (oops) it's just been on my mind.<BR/><BR/>The 2003 example of young people and who got nominated and who didn't is such a good one. it shows the problem when you reward someone who hasn't proven themselves... and ignore someone who has. I feel 100% confident in stating that Wood has another <I>thirteen</I> in her (at least) but does Hughes have anything left to offer the cinema?<BR/><BR/>but that said I think people SHOULD vote for new performers when they feel it's a really amazing performance. They should just think a little more carefully before doing that... like "does this director always pull amazing stuff from people?" or whatnot...<BR/><BR/>there's lots of things to consider when voting. Nobody has to agree with anybody but what I always hope for is that people are actually thinking about it seriously when they scribble the names on the ballot. <BR/><BR/>but you always hear that they're not *sniffle*NATHANIEL Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11597109147678235399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-84413291483810275522007-12-02T16:15:00.000-05:002007-12-02T16:15:00.000-05:00But how do you know that that novice performance c...But how do you know that that novice performance couldn't have originated from genuine talent and not simply fancy editing? That's pompous and elitist garbage, and thankfully the Academy doesn't have those same kind of dumb hangups.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-40420732383640485492007-12-02T15:38:00.000-05:002007-12-02T15:38:00.000-05:00I don't agree. There are emotional people who ca...I don't agree. There are emotional people who can be manipulated by a director to give a good performance and no nothing about what they are doing. <BR/><BR/>Then there are the editors as well. Since film is generally not an actors medium to begin with, I want to know that the actor was at least 75% responsible for the performance!<BR/><BR/>Maybe it is elitist...but I have worked with people who have done one amazing scene or piece of work due to their own psychology or for whatever reason. But they never did another thing as an actor that could get them out of a paper bag!<BR/><BR/>As long as I can make my own choices...the words Best Actor in a leading role, or Best Actress in a Suppotting Role means to me that if Coppola harasses Jessica Simpson to the point of a breakdown on camera, I don't have to consider it acting.<BR/><BR/>It doesn't have to be a long pedigree, and there could be exceptions even for me...but all things being equal...it is the way I feel. Tough titty if you don't agree.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-82634501169331870182007-12-02T15:14:00.000-05:002007-12-02T15:14:00.000-05:00I am an actor...I want Oscar nominated actors to b...<I>I am an actor...I want Oscar nominated actors to be accomplished and have a track record. Sorry, that's how I feel.</I><BR/><BR/>Actors shouldn't have to have an established pedigree before the Oscars come calling. It's either about the performance or it isn't, regardless of the kind of person that's in contention for the prize. That's really elitist thinking that should be done away with quickly.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-92025475949807167562007-12-02T08:07:00.000-05:002007-12-02T08:07:00.000-05:00i like patrick dempsey well enough --liked him way...i like patrick dempsey well enough --liked him way back in 87 with can't buy me love and that film where he's running around in the starkers that jennifer connelly is also in --'some girls'? something like that) but he's kind of a low burn star for me. Very easy on the eyes and a good actor but missing some sort of WOW factor for me so he'll never be a "favorite" --but I like him enough to be happy that he's finally found big success in his 40s<BR/><BR/><B>sammy jo</B> i hear you on why the youngsters are usually left out. and i feel the same about ERW... that Hughes nomination maddens me because ERW acts circles around her... but then ERW 's character was maddening and Hughes' was loveable so there you go. as for Page... I imagine she'll annoy some people i <I>Juno</I> but others will be ga-ga for her.NATHANIEL Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11597109147678235399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-67022770536954378642007-12-02T01:36:00.000-05:002007-12-02T01:36:00.000-05:00Nat--Does Patrick Dempsey leave no impression?Nat--Does Patrick Dempsey leave no impression?gabrieloakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00460263240309976652noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-77264200428850325492007-12-02T01:32:00.000-05:002007-12-02T01:32:00.000-05:00Yes, I liked Amy Adams just as much as everyone el...Yes, I liked Amy Adams just as much as everyone else in Junebug. And now if I read one more article telling me how great she is, I'll scream. Talk about hyping someone to death. This and Juno, which I'm sure is a good film, but I already can't stand that Cody woman either.gabrieloakhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00460263240309976652noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-3666857039873143292007-12-02T01:15:00.000-05:002007-12-02T01:15:00.000-05:00just got back from watching "Enchanted" in my New ...just got back from watching "Enchanted" in my New Jersey hometown a couple of minutes ago, and came running to the message boards to share my thoughts on Adams & the film overall. <BR/>A self-proclaimed Adams lover, I was the first online critic to devote a column to Ms. Adams the week "Junebug" opened nationwide. The fact is, 2 years ago, I fell in love with a performance, and with the actress (Adams) who delivered it in "Junebug."<BR/><BR/>Naturally, when I saw the trailer for "Enchanted," I saw something special in her performance (what I saw of it in the trailer, anyway). Then Johnny ALba (who's great at picking these wild cards turned Oscar nominees) added her to his list, & I knew a nomination was possible. <BR/><BR/>Whenever I go to a movie with Oscar buzz, I sniff the movie like a detective's dog at a crime scene, which is to say I look for clues or hints of its Oscar worthiness.With "Junebug," for instance, I knew Adams was Oscar worthy, with "Enchanted," however, I couldn't tell. It's not that she did anything wrong, it's just that I think this kind of performance becomes better critiqued on a second viewing. <BR/><BR/>The film itself offers a handful of laughs, some entertaining and visually arresting dance numbers, interesting costumes, and a nice alternation in an overworked genre, that of Disney being spoofed. I don't think "Enchanted" is particularly well-written, although it's not poorly written by any means. The film benefits tremendously from the heartfelt, and charming work of Patrick Dempsey, and especially, the wonderful James Marsden, whose work in "Hairspray," earlier this year was also a real treat. Marsden provides most of the big laughs in the film, without stealing the show completely from Amy (Whose star making turn the film belongs). <BR/><BR/>This is a big step in the right direction for Adams, though she's been previously Oscar nominated. This is proof that she can carry a whole movie on her shoulders, and evidence she can sing! It's also proof she can carry a ROMANTIC COMEDY, and with Sandra Bullock, Drew Barrymore, Julia Roberts, and Reese Witherspoon being as old and "with child" As they are now, belueve you me she'll be getting phone calls to fill some big shoes soon. <BR/><BR/>So, on to the big question, can Adams shortlist for "Enchanted?" Yes. Will she? I don't think so. She delivers a "NATURAL" unpretentious performance, but I don't think it's Oscar's cup of tea. That doesn't mean she wont shortlist, and if she does, I'll be happy for her because she's a tremendous talent, and boy, do we need that in narcassistic money obsessed Hollywood. Still, I think she'll win the Golden Globe.Lee Emil Hernandezhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03655669987609725558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-8990347242105287512007-12-01T21:39:00.000-05:002007-12-01T21:39:00.000-05:00"anonymous" --the diane lane fiasco of 2002 was NO..."anonymous" --the diane lane fiasco of 2002 was NOT me. That was Kris Tapley. I always believed in Lane's nomination.<BR/><BR/>I was a doubter in regards to Adams in Junebug though. On account of two other highly visible recent female snubs whose characters were seen masturbating onscreen ;) --it's true. Joan Allen (Pleasantville) and Naomi Watts (Mulholland Dr)NATHANIEL Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11597109147678235399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-83659990268779250722007-12-01T21:16:00.000-05:002007-12-01T21:16:00.000-05:00But will older Academy members really ignore their...But will older Academy members really ignore their screaming grandkids? If they watched it over Thanksgiving (cinema or DVD screener) with family then that's a big boost. "I voted for Amy Adams!" "You're the best grandpa!" etc. Or especially if you believe the myth that Academy members just get their kids and their grandkids to fill out the form.<BR/><BR/>I feel strong about Knighley though. Something about it just feels right.Glenn Dunkshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05424659636310160482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-91972801308916438562007-12-01T18:10:00.000-05:002007-12-01T18:10:00.000-05:00I agree with everything you said Nat, especially t...I agree with everything you said Nat, especially the songs. I mean they've done better. Maybe I shouldn't have watched the Little Mermaid before Enchanted.lol<BR/><BR/>I did like how Jodi Benson ( The voice of Ariel)had a small part as Patrick's Assistant.<BR/><BR/>Overall it was a cute movie nothing more. Amy and James were highlights.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-40749759283803253012007-12-01T15:39:00.000-05:002007-12-01T15:39:00.000-05:00Thanks for the filmexperience, Nathaniel, I can't ...Thanks for the filmexperience, Nathaniel, I can't say that enough. You know, the closer we get to the Oscars the more uncertain some things feel - at least to me. Btw, I know people have been saying Linney is a lock, but is she really? She's my personal fave, but how does box office figure into it? Will it have to be a big hit or else it might fade away? It opened on 4 screens at $41k, in comparison to Into the Wild who did 5xs as much on the same # of screens, or Margot who did twice as much on 2 screens.<BR/><BR/>Just wanted to throw that out there.Alex F.https://www.blogger.com/profile/04936856281000888335noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-7264387039313107372007-12-01T15:06:00.000-05:002007-12-01T15:06:00.000-05:00Right now, I completely agree with your prediction...Right now, I completely agree with your prediction Nathaniel. I don't want to beat a dead horse, so I'm not gonna repeat what everyone is saying. However, 'Juno' has already cumulated tons of buzz here in L.A. from those who have already seen it (in the industry, might I add), and it hasn't even opened yet. I can almost guarantee that the film will do well at the box office and when it does, I won't only predict a nomination for Page, but she'll also be a frontrunner.E Dothttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16092167817913017197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-13235487173081642182007-12-01T14:40:00.000-05:002007-12-01T14:40:00.000-05:00I think The Camel's comment is probably more of a ...I think The Camel's comment is probably more of a reaction to the Diane Lane fiasco of 2002 ;-)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-44652067077373321192007-12-01T14:30:00.000-05:002007-12-01T14:30:00.000-05:00Quite honestly, I don't want Page for the nominati...Quite honestly, I don't want Page for the nomination. <BR/>It is too much too soon. I do not think it will help her career, I think it will blow her sideways.<BR/><BR/>I think there is a reason the very young are usually not nominated for lead roles...they haven't really proven their mettle.<BR/><BR/>Castle-Hughes was a mistake, imo, I would rather have seen Wood nom'ed that year as she had done impressive work for three years on Once And Again and played a very different character in The Missing. <BR/><BR/>But, it is very rare that we get to see a body of work form such a young actor. I did like Page quite a lot in Hard Candy and Juno...BUT, I am NOT ready to lay down Oscar love to her yet. <BR/><BR/>I am an actor...I want Oscar nominated actors to be accomplished and have a track record. Sorry, that's how I feel.<BR/><BR/>Cotillard, Linney, Bonham-Carter, Christie, Tang Wei, Blanchett, Kidman and then Adams in my book.<BR/><BR/>If Page goes before Linney...I will have to kill somebody!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-10003767048759536532007-12-01T14:29:00.000-05:002007-12-01T14:29:00.000-05:00Age demograph noted, but the actors branch has exp...Age demograph noted, but the actors branch has expanded considerably so the final tally is likely to be more varied. I'm just thinking whose names is most likely to appear more frequently when those 1000 ballots are cast (never mind order of rank). With so many high-profile releases this year (mostly led by A-List men), i think the size of the film will matter.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-31037541423207310992007-12-01T14:19:00.001-05:002007-12-01T14:19:00.001-05:00Agree with you one hundred percent! Amy Adams was ...Agree with you one hundred percent! Amy Adams was adorable, but not Oscar-worthy. The movie and plot was cute, but kind of sickening. The songs were okay.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-49670924672850002362007-12-01T14:19:00.000-05:002007-12-01T14:19:00.000-05:00Agree with you one hundred percent! Amy Adams was ...Agree with you one hundred percent! Amy Adams was adorable, but not Oscar-worthy. The movie and plot was cute, but kind of sickening. The songs were okay.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com