tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post115204613129115128..comments2024-03-17T10:11:46.952-04:00Comments on Film Experience Blog: The Whitakers vs. The Del-Mar-TwistsNATHANIEL Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11597109147678235399noreply@blogger.comBlogger50125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-47825986936014572272007-06-15T05:26:00.001-04:002007-06-15T05:26:00.001-04:00Brokeback Mountain for me. Far From Heaven always...Brokeback Mountain for me. Far From Heaven always felt staged and Ms Moore's performance was not even good.<BR/><BR/><BR/>Moviefan from JohannesburgAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-88407150657051183002007-06-15T05:26:00.000-04:002007-06-15T05:26:00.000-04:00Brokeback Mountain for me. Far From Heaven always...Brokeback Mountain for me. Far From Heaven always felt staged and Ms Moore's performance was not even good.<BR/><BR/><BR/>Moviefan from JohannesburgAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-1164698569962452992006-11-28T02:22:00.000-05:002006-11-28T02:22:00.000-05:00I'm way late to this party, but I'm lovin' it all ...I'm way late to this party, but I'm lovin' it all the same.<BR/><BR/>The original post was way up on a mountain, very close to heaven. <BR/><BR/>Kudos.<BR/><BR/>I enjoy eye candy as much as the next person, and I enjoyed <I>Far From Heaven</I> quite a bit, but I need a film to <I><B>enter</I></B> me, make me experience what is happening on the screen from the inside out, not the outside in.<BR/><BR/><I>Brokeback Mountain</I> -- quietly, beautifully, <I>overwhelmingly</I> -- accomplishes the former.Craig Hickmanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17336837289054015211noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-1154638580405113792006-08-03T16:56:00.000-04:002006-08-03T16:56:00.000-04:00Wow. You simply cannot allow anyone to criticize ...Wow. You simply cannot allow anyone to criticize your precious <I>Brokeback Mountain</I>, can you?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-1154631989763001202006-08-03T15:06:00.000-04:002006-08-03T15:06:00.000-04:00but again --i will reassert anonymous. you cannot ...but again --i will reassert anonymous. you cannot give a gay character a happy ending if they remain in the closet.<BR/><BR/>BM is perfectly justified in its unhappy ending and that is not a symptom of Hollywood punishment. Merely truth-telling.NATHANIEL Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11597109147678235399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-1154512021722376312006-08-02T05:47:00.000-04:002006-08-02T05:47:00.000-04:00Brokeback Mountain is a highly overrated, dull-as-...<I>Brokeback Mountain</I> is a highly overrated, dull-as-dishwater adultery drama that coasted on the "novelty" of addressing homosexuality. I think of it as the gay <I>Gentlemen's Agreement</I>, which was praised at the time for addressing anti-Semitism but today comes off as simplistic and heavy-handed. I predict that in years from now, people will look back and wonder what all the fuss was about. At least, I hope that mainstream films with gay themes will become familiar enough to cause such a reaction.<BR/><BR/><I>Far from Heaven</I>, on the other hand, is a masterpiece. Every aspect of the film is brilliant, especially Julianne Moore's performance, which will certainly rank among the greatest in film history. In addition, FFH allowed the gay character to have a happy ending of sorts, whereas BM reinforced the traditional Hollywood morality that dictated that gay characters must die or be otherwise punished.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-1154296676292075582006-07-30T17:57:00.000-04:002006-07-30T17:57:00.000-04:00After seeing Brokeback Mountain four times on a hu...After seeing Brokeback Mountain four times on a huge screen and Far From Heaven only once on DVD, I'd give this to Brokeback, no contest. <BR/><BR/>You see, despite its strong technicals, I found FFH almost completely emotionally uninvolving. And that's from a huge Moore and Clarkson fan who has also loved other movies by Todd Haynes!! Go figure.<BR/><BR/>But after your article Nathaniel, and given that YOU, (such a strong admirer of Brokeback) would even have to think twice abou this, I will seek out FFH and view it again. Thanks for the prompt.<BR/><BR/>Brokeback Mountain got better with every viewing. Hopefully the same will be the case with FFH.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-1154206145098734902006-07-29T16:49:00.000-04:002006-07-29T16:49:00.000-04:00I respect Brokeback a lot and will definitely revi...I respect <I>Brokeback</I> a lot and will definitely revisit it from time to time, but it's no contest. Not even close.<BR/><BR/>I would not hesitatate in calling Haynes's film a masterpiece. In every aspect - acting, direction, writing, art direction, costuming, cinematography - <I>Far From Heaven</I> is ridiculously superior.Yaseen Alihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05908587347677660287noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-1153112186933456822006-07-17T00:56:00.000-04:002006-07-17T00:56:00.000-04:00I'm on the Far from Heaven bandwagon. Oddly enough...I'm on the <I>Far from Heaven</I> bandwagon. Oddly enough (given what others have posted here), I did find the story moving as all hell.Middentohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13829095129849712488noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-1153033411807572092006-07-16T03:03:00.000-04:002006-07-16T03:03:00.000-04:00how about another sophie's choice essay request?ju...how about another sophie's choice essay request?<BR/><BR/>julianne moore vs, michelle pfieffer<BR/><BR/>i'd love to read your essay on that (and no fair a tie)par3182https://www.blogger.com/profile/03647653154201086767noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-1152948609050623462006-07-15T03:30:00.000-04:002006-07-15T03:30:00.000-04:00I find it hilarious that two anonymous people 10 m...I find it hilarious that two anonymous people 10 minutes apart (10.55 and 11.05 and then 6.37 and 6.38) both didn't like Julianne in <I>Heaven</I> and thought she was overrated. Coincidence? Most definitely not.<BR/><BR/>I'm with the people who said they loved <I>Heaven</I> but didn't get as much out of it emotionally. It moved me, yes, but not as much as <I>Brokeback</I> which felt like it was made for ME (and nobody else y'all)Glenn Dunkshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05424659636310160482noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-1152917872345445412006-07-14T18:57:00.000-04:002006-07-14T18:57:00.000-04:00Okay, I am new to your blog, but I just wanted to ...Okay, I am new to your blog, but I just wanted to see I loved your post. It's brilliant.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-1152916725057635192006-07-14T18:38:00.000-04:002006-07-14T18:38:00.000-04:00LEAD ACTRESS COULD HAVE BEEN PLAYED BY SAY SOMEONE...LEAD ACTRESS COULD HAVE BEEN PLAYED BY SAY SOMEONE LIKE CATE BLANCHETT OR PFEIFFERAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-1152916657746695552006-07-14T18:37:00.000-04:002006-07-14T18:37:00.000-04:00OVER-RATED IT BELONGS IN THE COULD HAVE BEEN A GRE...OVER-RATED IT BELONGS IN THE COULD HAVE BEEN A GREAT MOVIE SECTION LEAD ACTRESS MISCAST...........Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-1152915662442332932006-07-14T18:21:00.000-04:002006-07-14T18:21:00.000-04:00Far from Heaven easily takes the cake on this one....Far from Heaven easily takes the cake on this one. I love every second of it. That said, I also awarded BBM Best Picture of 2005 so there's no shortage of love ther either. Actually, this is the first time I've realized it - Focus has had a stranglehold on my #1 movie for the last several years:<BR/><BR/>2002 - Far from Heaven<BR/>2003 - Lost in Translation<BR/>2004 - Eternal Sunshine<BR/>2005 - Brokeback Mountain<BR/><BR/>Extraordinary, no? I wonder if they'll continue the streak.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-1152909647741867382006-07-14T16:40:00.000-04:002006-07-14T16:40:00.000-04:00An absolutely stunning article, about two stunning...An absolutely stunning article, about two stunning films. I personally would go with the introverted grandeur of Brokeback, but I cannot find fault with those who prefer the pristine Far From Heaven. Can't wait for a potential sequal to this matchup (Eternal Sunshine takes on Return of the King, perhaps?)John Thttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12778817752411507792noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-1152908594349712862006-07-14T16:23:00.000-04:002006-07-14T16:23:00.000-04:00i should probably have mentioned in this article t...i should probably have mentioned in this article that despite going into it assuming that i preferred far from heaven ... it was a much closer contest than I expected so there's that. you learn new things regularly about yourself.<BR/><BR/>cinemafervor. interesting... i imagine most people have patterns of some sort but it's always interesting to see who notices yours and to notice your own all the more when others point it out. I do see this in my taste obviously. I think it has to do with wanting the filmmaker to fire on all cylinders --use EVERYTHING for your story<I>telling</I>. as opposed to just having a good story angle.<BR/><BR/>although i wouldn't say that requiem disproves the theory ;) being stylish innovative AND depressing/somber.NATHANIEL Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11597109147678235399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-1152907006502742012006-07-14T15:56:00.000-04:002006-07-14T15:56:00.000-04:00FANTASTIC POST! - I’m not surprised Nathaniel went...FANTASTIC POST! <BR/>- I’m not surprised Nathaniel went w/ Far From Heaven. If theres one thing I’ve noticed, the man doesn’t like to be obvious and does seem to have a pattern. But furthermore, I’ve always seen Nathaniel’s taste veer more uplifting (NOT in the Academy friendly, middlebrow way- but overall tone) when it comes to his top pick. He tends to appreciate more stylish, innovative films over more overtly dark, unsetting and emotionally somber films. Just look at his Top 10 lists: <BR/>Bleak, performances driven and emotionally draining dramas usually don’t make it past # 6 on his Top 10 lists. (Ex. The Silence of the Lambs, Leaving Las Vegas, Sweet Hereafter, Gods & Monsters, Boys Don’t Cry, The Hours, In the Bedroom) Plus innovate, stylish films usually topped his list during those previously mentioned films respective years. (The Truman Show, Being John Malkovich, Moulin Rouge, Eternal Sunshine, etc)<BR/>In fact only a few of his Top 5 choices over the last decade or so really contradict this notion: Dead Man Walking, 7, Requiem, Thirteen, Vera Drake and Brokeback. <BR/>That’s fine by me. To each his own. I gotta say BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN. It’s close, but Brokeback’s sting is something few films ever achieve. <BR/>Far From Heaven was superior in its technical aspects- stylish and no doubt moving. But Brokeback, well not to the same degree, was technically impressive as well. Both films featured magnificent acting- although Dennis Quaid and Hathaway didn’t really do it for me. <BR/>I kinda of see a Million Dollar Baby – The Aviator thing going on.<BR/>Now both Far From Heaven and Brokeback Mountain are in another galaxy compared to MDB and The Aviator but to further my point about emotion and techs I’d go as far to say of the two…<BR/><BR/>Brokeback Mountain = <BR/>Million Dollar Baby<BR/>Far From Heaven = <BR/>The Aviator <BR/><BR/>- That Nathaniel preferred The Aviator is mere testament to my point.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-1152904290156867152006-07-14T15:11:00.000-04:002006-07-14T15:11:00.000-04:00PS- Nathaniel really is god. That article was over...PS- Nathaniel really is god. That article was over the top!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-1152903106248785652006-07-14T14:51:00.000-04:002006-07-14T14:51:00.000-04:00First of all, I just want to give a shout out to F...First of all, I just want to give a shout out to Focus Features. GOD BLESS THEM!<BR/>Far From Heaven and Brokeback Mountain are masterful works of cinema. Besides each containing career defining performances for their respective leads, offering lush, visual wonder and providing an aerobic workout on the tear ducts, both films seem to share the theme of regret most strongly. <BR/><BR/>Both films provide emotionally nuanced experiences as they explore the regretful elegy of their characters lives but WHICH DO I FIND A FINER PIECE OF CINEMA?<BR/><BR/>Well, lets try to narrow it down with the old award category tactic: <BR/><BR/>MAKEUP / HAIR: FFH (Moore looked appropriate / ravishing) <BR/>SOUND: BM (Nature and the genius use of the wind)<BR/>SCORE: BM (Sure FFH’s is more instrumentally complex and varied but BM’s score evokes enough nostalgia and elegiac mood to lacerate the heart.) <BR/>COSTUMES: FFH (They still take my breath away) <BR/>ART DIRECTION: FFH (No contest- smart and beautiful) <BR/>CINEMATOGRAPHY: Broke… Far From … no (oh god) I’m giving this to BM for the fascinating parallels between the visual narrative and emotional terrains of the characters- but this one really comes down to personal taste. <BR/>EDITING: Neither film can really be lauded here. BM was trying to reflect repression in the editing, I get that, but I’m going w/ the graceful pacing of FFH. <BR/>SCREENPLAY: BM (A flawless, introspective work of perfection) <BR/><BR/>ACTOR IN A LEADING ROLE<BR/>Jake Gyllenhaal- BM (“Gonna do this again next summer…” Magic) <BR/>*Heath Ledger- BM (It is one of the great performances of our time.)<BR/>Julianne Moore- FFH (This was like choosing between your children) <BR/><BR/>ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE <BR/>*Clarkson- FFH (She pulls the rug out from under us in more ways then one) <BR/>Hathaway- BM<BR/>Quaid- FFH <BR/>Whitaker- FFH<BR/>Williams- BM (A quite revelation) <BR/><BR/>DIRECTING: BM- Ang Lee. (Consider the performances he extracted from the actors if nothing else. Hayes’s used a visionary attack on the hypocrites of the era while also delivering pure piece of cinema, but Lee used minimalism to astonishing effect, extracted career defining performances and delivered a film which resounds with ardent emotion and elegiac beauty. <BR/><BR/><BR/><BR/><BR/>PICTURE: <BR/><BR/>FFH: a deeply moving, innovative and gorgeously designed homage to 1950’s melodrama that fills every frame with pulsating color and cinematic intrigue. Featuring a revolutionary Moore and fine ensemble cast, FFH offers Cinephiles a unique and fascinating moving going experience. <BR/>BM: A phenomenally moving, emotionally draining, love story between two men in the 1960s. Featuring a career best from Lee and Ledger, this beautiful, landmark classic also happens to be one of the most haunting films one could experience. <BR/>Remember art is subjective and its hard to say one film’s merits exceeds the other. With these two films its almost impossible to choose. But the “list maker” in me is strong. Both my heart and brain agree that if pressed, <BR/><BR/>BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN <BR/><BR/>would get my vote. If your willing to climb Brokeback and really appreciate each subtle decision behind the filmmaking its merits are astonishing. It’s a film of rare quality; one that can be appreciated as a masterful piece of cinema and one that genuinely takes a piece out of you.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-1152901294669546532006-07-14T14:21:00.000-04:002006-07-14T14:21:00.000-04:00Far From Heaven. Obviously. It's pretty and stylis...Far From Heaven. Obviously. It's pretty and stylish. And pretty and stylish always wins.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-1152895920560834642006-07-14T12:52:00.000-04:002006-07-14T12:52:00.000-04:00ok anonymous "julianna" hater... level with me: wh...ok anonymous "julianna" hater... level with me: why do you insist on calling her julianna everytime she is discussed here at tfe? --and what is your gripe against her. <BR/><BR/>perhaps you've only seen evolution ;) <BR/><BR/>i'm just curious.NATHANIEL Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11597109147678235399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-1152894086765299172006-07-14T12:21:00.000-04:002006-07-14T12:21:00.000-04:00BBM has more emotional pull. FFH is technically t...BBM has more emotional pull. FFH is technically thrilling. It's kind of like apples and oranges. I've watched BBM twice. I may watch it once more one of these days, but not anytime soon. FFH I've watched once and would be interested in watching again. My initial reaction prefers BBM, but, over the long-term, my tendency is towards FFH.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-1152891206125718102006-07-14T11:33:00.000-04:002006-07-14T11:33:00.000-04:00Great Entry!!!! I want to watch both of them right...Great Entry!!!! I want to watch both of them right now! Too bad I<BR/>m in the middle of nowhere and don't have a DVD player...poop. I must do the double viewing soon.OhMyTrillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15460216387416413714noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-1152889544040137232006-07-14T11:05:00.000-04:002006-07-14T11:05:00.000-04:00Far From Heaven.Absolutely.<I>Far From Heaven</I>.<BR/>Absolutely.StinkyLuluhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11765533714740641857noreply@blogger.com