tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post2999594102237099070..comments2024-03-17T10:11:46.952-04:00Comments on Film Experience Blog: Cannes: Agora and Bright StarNATHANIEL Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11597109147678235399noreply@blogger.comBlogger29125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-26651576270577390682010-05-17T05:35:37.145-04:002010-05-17T05:35:37.145-04:00Few films manage to strike as poetic a resonance a...Few films manage to strike as poetic a resonance as Amenabar’s Agora...and at the heart of the film is Rachel Weisz’s superbly nuanced and layered performance as the proto-feminist philosopher. <br /><br />Weisz gives her character the objective idealism that it requires, at the same time evoking a plethora of complex emotions. <br /><br />Her performance, especially towards the end of the film is flawless...very few actresses could have pulled off a dialogue like "Oh Orestes! Cyril has already won"... or "You do not question what you believe in...you cannot...I must" with this amount of subtlety!...<br /><br />She definitely deserves an Oscar nomination (if not a win) and the same goes for the film as well... that is if the film's outspoken stand on Christian fundamentalism does not manage to piss off American audiences and critics...Parjanyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05482813542799623778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-83087163369357114992010-05-17T05:35:37.144-04:002010-05-17T05:35:37.144-04:00Few films manage to strike as poetic a resonance a...Few films manage to strike as poetic a resonance as Amenabar’s Agora...and at the heart of the film is Rachel Weisz’s superbly nuanced and layered performance as the proto-feminist philosopher. <br /><br />Weisz gives her character the objective idealism that it requires, at the same time evoking a plethora of complex emotions. <br /><br />Her performance, especially towards the end of the film is flawless...very few actresses could have pulled off a dialogue like "Oh Orestes! Cyril has already won"... or "You do not question what you believe in...you cannot...I must" with this amount of subtlety!...<br /><br />She definitely deserves an Oscar nomination (if not) and the same goes for the film as well... that is if the film's outspoken stand on Christian fundamentalism does not manage to piss off American audiences and critics...Parjanyahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05482813542799623778noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-88786909452172196132009-05-20T06:37:40.908-04:002009-05-20T06:37:40.908-04:00Thanks, Jesus, but look:
"Ahora mismo estoy divi...Thanks, Jesus, but look: <br /><br />"Ahora mismo estoy dividido entre varias historias. Tengo también una comedia, que como todo el mundo me pide me siento casi obligado a hacerla. Y después tengo otra, que es la que ya he terminado el primer borrador y que probablemente sea mi próxima película. Pero eso no lo decidiré hasta el final", matiza.<br /><br />Almodóvar mentioned this new project of a biopic, but he doesn't say he's gonna make it now. If my Spanish is right, he hasn't decided yet which project he's gonna do next. Ang La Piel Que Habito (Mygalle) has already a screenplay.cal rothnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-5587481230377211112009-05-20T01:16:45.847-04:002009-05-20T01:16:45.847-04:00http://www.publico.es/culturas/226422/almodovar/ro...http://www.publico.es/culturas/226422/almodovar/rodara/guerra/civil<br /><br />That's the link to the news story - in spanish - about Almodovar's next. A biopic - or sort - of poet Marcos Ana.<br /><br />By the way, first reactions in Cannes to "Broken Embraces" are enthusiastic. http://www.screendaily.com/cannes-competition-blog/5001196.article<br /><br />From here, to Oscar race.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17365271118815910721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-45355128238044744462009-05-19T20:38:21.975-04:002009-05-19T20:38:21.975-04:00Jesus, what about that Mygalle adaptation? Sounds ...Jesus, what about that Mygalle adaptation? Sounds more Almodóvar to me.cal rothnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-86893191888562859002009-05-19T16:41:00.000-04:002009-05-19T16:41:00.000-04:00Oh, Almodovar has made 2 crappy films, imho: "The ...Oh, Almodovar has made 2 crappy films, imho: "The Flower of My Secret" - only worth to see the acting duel between Rossy de Palma and Chus Lampreave - and the trashy on purpouse John Waters wannabee that is "Labyrinth of Passion". Then there's the failures of "Pepi, Luci, Boom y otras chicas del montón", "Matador" and "Kika". But normally he's a safe bet, for sure, to see at least an interesting film. He just anounced his next project, it'll be a spanish civil war real-life story about a poet who spent years in Franco's prisons.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17365271118815910721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-20038296818383705352009-05-19T16:24:00.000-04:002009-05-19T16:24:00.000-04:00I have yet to see a "bad" Almódovar film, and I've...I have yet to see a "bad" <I>Almódovar</I> film, and I've seen them all.adelutzahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01500491363721543846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-29457358432732930452009-05-19T16:13:00.000-04:002009-05-19T16:13:00.000-04:00to reply to Adelutza, Broken Embraces is actually ...to reply to Adelutza, Broken Embraces is actually on the "very good" Almodovar block. I'd rank it below "Talk to Her", "Women on the Verge", "What Have I done to deserve this", on par with "Bad Education", "Law of Desire", "All about my mother"... maybe on a third viewing I'd reconsider, but I haven't changed my mind that this is the movie Almodovar could have shot in the USA if he wanted, without many changes. I didn't love it to death, exactly, but certainly I enjoyed it a lot. And Cruz is simply, outstanding, in this one.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17365271118815910721noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-63395916030138514552009-05-19T15:45:00.000-04:002009-05-19T15:45:00.000-04:00I'm sooo looking forward to Agora! We've had the p...I'm sooo looking forward to Agora! We've had the poster up in our movie theatres for a month now, all announcing the Fall opening. Only 4 months to go! :PCrazyCrishttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17512240982215608638noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-5378812082164794002009-05-19T13:13:00.000-04:002009-05-19T13:13:00.000-04:00I don't think Hugh Jackman carried the whole film ...I don't think Hugh Jackman carried the whole film on his shoulders at all. It was the combine effort of both Jackman and Rachel Weisz that pushes the movie forward. As for complex, i actually think Rachel's character was far more harder to do considering the fact if it was played as the usual dying, pity me garbage, it could have ruined the film and made it a into joke. Rachel played the role with dignity and grace and gave purpose to the entire movie. To say that Jackman carries the entire movie by himself is simply not true, it was a group effort.Robinnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-52080685826453178512009-05-19T12:51:00.000-04:002009-05-19T12:51:00.000-04:00I'm embarrased to admit that the only Rachel Weisz...I'm embarrased to admit that the only Rachel Weisz movie I've seen is "The Mummy", although I did have Agora on my must see list. I guess I should netflix the Constant Gardener.<br /><br /><br />I wasn't at all interested in "Bright Star" but the reviews have peaked my interest.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-17949339050728263692009-05-19T12:48:00.000-04:002009-05-19T12:48:00.000-04:00I think I have to side with Jessica and Nathaniel....I think I have to side with Jessica and Nathaniel. While I consider both leads, Jackman had the "bulk" of the movie - i.e, he carried it on his shoulders, he had the much more complex character. I think it's one of the greatest performances of the decade, whereas Weisz was wonderful, but nowhere near on the same level as Jackman (which is expected, since her role required less). Gosh, just thinking about the one scene were he tattoos the ring on his finger -- it had me absolutely bawling.<br /><br />The Fountain is my BP win of 2006, I love it so much.DJnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-56046434681320046532009-05-19T11:12:00.000-04:002009-05-19T11:12:00.000-04:00I thought Rachel Weisz gave the strongest performa...I thought Rachel Weisz gave the strongest performance in My Blueberry Nights, even when the movie itself was not very good.<br /><br />I'm counting the day when Agora comes out just to see her in another great performance.Dougnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-24418543705831046022009-05-19T10:50:00.000-04:002009-05-19T10:50:00.000-04:00Love love Weisz. She should have won her second be...Love love Weisz. She should have won her second best supporting actress Oscar for her devastating turn in My Blueberry Nights. Love her. <br /><br />And she never looked better than now.cal rothnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-20431913769916641542009-05-19T10:43:00.000-04:002009-05-19T10:43:00.000-04:00Hugh Jackman's performance was meaty but Rachel We...Hugh Jackman's performance was meaty but Rachel Weisz's performance was the heart of the entire film and a movie with out its heart is nothing. Both Weisz and Jackman both deserve equal praise for their perspective work on this film.Dougnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-65119687741474396502009-05-19T10:07:00.000-04:002009-05-19T10:07:00.000-04:00To be honest, I thought “The Fountain” was all ove...To be honest, I thought “The Fountain” was all over the place and not well put together but to say that it was Hugh Jackman’s movie is narrow minded my opinion. Jackman was good, don’t get me wrong but Rachel Weisz was equally as good as he was and they both held the film together from falling completely apart by its own overbearing themes, which was way too far reaching for its own good. It would have played better as a study of death and grief and while it did to some extent, the whole time travel/ conquistador storyline just did not work as well at all and took away from what the film was trying to do and it did not help the performances of the leads, who both deserved much better than what they got.<br /><br />As for "Agora", a photographer friend of mine saw it (She's on assignment for a magazine)and that its good but it has some problems (Pacing, the script is not well rounded) Rachel Weisz on the other hand was given a standing ovation for her performance,which in her view was well deserved. She saw "Antichrist" as well and confirmed the controversy the film has. Its that and much more she said in her e-mail.<br /><br />Anyway, you have a great site, very informative. Keep up the good work.<br /><br />C:)Catherinenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-43329367970446446012009-05-19T09:58:00.000-04:002009-05-19T09:58:00.000-04:00The Fountain was TOTALLY about Hugh Jackman! Yes, ...The Fountain was TOTALLY about Hugh Jackman! Yes, of course you cannot discount Rachel's role or performance in the movie, but let's be real - all she had to do was stand around and be beautiful and convincingly desirable. That's not a slam against her, she performed wonderfully, their roles just weren't equally 'meaty.'<br /><br />I am DYING to see Agora. I think it will be amazing, even if the thought of Weisz as an Egyptian is a little laughable. She pulls it off, I am sure, it's just kind of funny.Baileyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03924416825035276697noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-36863045623803322232009-05-19T09:33:00.000-04:002009-05-19T09:33:00.000-04:00Disagree compleatly, Hugh Jackman is great but Rac...Disagree compleatly, Hugh Jackman is great but Rachel is just as great. You would not believe his plight for immortality if you did not feel the passion for the woman he loved and Rachel made that passion feel real with her warm and loving performance. <br /><br />Sorry but you're wrong, compleatly wrong Nathan.Gabenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-80238517944219653862009-05-19T09:28:00.000-04:002009-05-19T09:28:00.000-04:00Both Agora and Bright Star sound very good from wh...Both <I>Agora</I> and <I>Bright Star</I> sound very good from what I'm reading but for me it's all about <I>Los Abrazos Rotos</I>.<br /><I>Almodovar</I> rules.adelutzahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01500491363721543846noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-67188064541910428402009-05-19T09:11:00.000-04:002009-05-19T09:11:00.000-04:00I gotta say that I side with jessica here. The Fou...I gotta say that I side with <B>jessica</B> here. The Fountain is Jackman's movie. (Well, Aronofsky's !!! but you know... as the actors go) He completely owns the movie whereas Rachel has much less to do aside from selling the romance.<br /><br />That's not a knock against her so much as it's about recognizing how great Jackman was in that movie. It's easily his best performance whereas Rachel is <I>far</I> better in The Constant Gardener than she was in the Fountain.<br /><br />but more importantly: BRIGHT STAR... i'm trying to not read the reviews so much as skim them because i don't want any specifics of the movie ruined for me (not the plot, just the movie details... it's a bio. we know what happens)NATHANIEL Rhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11597109147678235399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-70972930207378309852009-05-19T09:05:00.000-04:002009-05-19T09:05:00.000-04:00I went from having not much interest in Bright Sta...I went from having not much interest in Bright Star (I like Campion but don't love) to Must See It Now as soon as the Paul Schneider talk started. Get that wonderful man an Oscar!Jason Adamshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18254334131909339157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-37405145063003136692009-05-19T08:56:00.000-04:002009-05-19T08:56:00.000-04:00I can’t wait to see Rachel Weisz as Hypatia . Its ...I can’t wait to see Rachel Weisz as Hypatia . Its looks like it’s going to be a real interesting film and so far, mixed or not, the reviews are almost unanimous in praise of Rachel Weisz’s performance in the movie.<br /><br />As for “The Fountain”, both Weisz and Hugh Jackman were the leads, not one or the other and both of them were important to the movie. I was not a total fan of the film but I loved their performances and to say that one was more of a lead than the other is a total disservice to their chemistry and the great performance they both brought to the film.Lisanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-86535821259989508742009-05-19T08:30:00.000-04:002009-05-19T08:30:00.000-04:00"Well, The Fountain was more about Jackman"
Don't..."Well, The Fountain was more about Jackman"<br /><br />Don't give that lame argument. Jackman did not make that movie by himself, it was a joint effort by him and Rachel Weisz and they both were just as good. So don't give me that lame argument.<br /><br />And having seen "Agora", Rachel delvers once again and hopefully, she will get recognize in awards season.Stevenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-28289864966328524672009-05-19T07:56:00.000-04:002009-05-19T07:56:00.000-04:00Well, The Fountain was more about Jackman, so it's...Well, The Fountain was more about Jackman, so it's nice to see Weisz back in a meaty leading role. But I doubt this is the one that will give her a lead statue. Strong perfs in complex, non-conventional films have been snubbed beforejessicanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8256060.post-31959096508982983512009-05-19T07:32:00.000-04:002009-05-19T07:32:00.000-04:00I saw "Agora" and its beautiful. Rachel Weisz hand...I saw "Agora" and its beautiful. Rachel Weisz hands down deserves the best actress Oscar for 2009.Stevenoreply@blogger.com