The Watercooler: 4/7/08
I try not to pay a lot of attention to reviews before seeing most movies, but it’s almost impossible not to get a sense of a certain prevailing opinion. In the case of Wong Kar-Wai’s My Blueberry Nights, the negative buzz started to crop up at Cannes. After that, it seemed I kept picking up snippets of bad news and I didn’t have a good feeling.
Nonetheless, a certain group of filmmakers have earned the benefit of a doubt. They’re buzz and critic proof. I’m committed to seeing them for myself and to making up my own mind.
Some of my best movie experiences have been at movies where early word was negative and my expectations were modest. There’s a rewarding sense of discovery that doesn’t happen when the greatness of something has been drilled into your head before you’ve even seen a single frame. On the other hand, it’s not much fun admitting that the critics were right and that one of your favorite artists has dropped the ball.
I’m happy to report that, against the odds, My Blueberry Nights turned out to be one of the good ones. I have no idea what it was the naysayers were expecting, but what I saw was a beautiful, dreamy meditation on love and loss. Maybe it didn’t approach the level of Wong’s classics, but not many films do. Norah Jones isn’t going to win any Oscars, but she wasn’t bad at all. Certainly not the disaster I’d heard and besides, the film didn’t exactly hinge upon her. Her character was kind of a lens the other stories were filtered through and she was up to the task.
Did I mention this film was beautiful? It was. I could watch it again right now just to bathe in the colors.
As an extra-added bonus, the one theater in town where the movie was was playing brought me close to a multiplex with an IMAX auditorium. As a result, it was a simple matter to catch The Rolling Stones in Shine a Light without having to go to the dreaded Universal City Walk I swore 10 years ago I’d never return to.
I’d never bothered seeing a movie in IMAX before, not even the last Stones movie. Was it worth it? Hell yeah. The screen was ginormous and surprisingly sharp. More importantly for a concert movie, the sound system was incredible. If you can’t see the real thing, this is the way to do it.
While I can’t see the appeal for anyone who isn’t a pretty hardcore fan, I think those fans are in for a treat. The band sounded sharp, appeared to be having a good time and delivered a nice mix of favorites with a few curveballs, just the way you’d want it.
The filming was unobtrusive but fluid and intimate and it was fun to see the band up close playing a relatively small theater. Plus, for an aging nostalgia act, they still rock pretty good. Mick is businesslike as always, but he’s full of energy and he gives it his all. Call them old or irrelevant if you want, but they still know a few things about putting on a good show and Martin Scorsese was just them man to put it on film.
Shine a Light was hardly revelatory, but supremely entertaining.
Filed under: Miscellaneous
Related Posts: - The Watercooler: 4/14/08
- The Worst Movie of 2007
- The Watercooler: 3/17/08
- The Watercooler: 3/24/08
- The Watercooler: 5/27/08
Love and loss and time and memory. I’d love to write more about My Blueberry Nights, but I’ll have to wait until Friday. I’ll just say you’re right and leave it at that. That should make you happy.
I’m glad I’m not alone on this one KB. Hopefully I’ll have a full review up in a day or two.
Yay! Got here early this time
Seems like I was wrong in letting the critical buzz deter me from seeing My Blueberry Nights when it came out here…. well, I remember it being about a year ago, but imdb tells me it was last December. Yeah, sometimes we do get films earlier here. Means it’s gone now, though.
My movie weekend? I was asked to go out Saturday but decided to be boring and watch a movie instead. To Have and Have Not. It was my first time, and I absolutely loved it. Some sidelines are a bit pointless, but the point is Bogie and Bacall, and they sizzle. Seriously one of the sexiest pairings ever on-screen. Since I’ll be out of the country next weekend (Oslo!), I might just write a Weekend Double Feature piece pairing it with Casablanca, and post it when I’m there.
Yesterday, I rewatched Velvet Goldmine as I’m supposed to write a long piece about it and I was a bit hazy on some of the details. No wonder. They’re still hazy now. I do love this movie though, and you can clearly see how Haynes went from there to I’m Not There
It’s been a while since I’ve seen a movie in the cinema. The problem is: I’ve seen all the good ones! (and some of the bad ones). The ones I haven’t seen include Fool’s Gold, The Bucket List, Horton hears a Who, the Hunting Party, the Eye, and let’s not forget… Alvin and the Chipmunks. Not exactly the kind of movies to entice me to go to the theatre.
I wasn’t as high on SHINE A LIGHT as you Craig, but I agree that IMAX is the way to see it. And you’re right about the sound and the picture clarity- IMAX film is roughly the same size as 70mm, so of course it would be much sharper than normal 35mm.
Hedwig, I can’t make any great claims for the other theatrical titles you’ve mentioned, but I would strongly recommend THE HUNTING PARTY. I think the director, Richard Shepard, has one of the most interesting comic sensibilities of any active filmmaker, especially when it comes to foul-mouthed yet completely sincere male bonding. Check it out if you have a chance.
The highlight of my weekend was Friday night when I caught a screening of the ultra-rare TAKING OFF introduced by director Milos Forman. Being an AMADEUS fan since I was a kid, I was pretty starstruck, and I stayed after to meet him and shake his hand. TAKING OFF was a lot of fun as well. Still unavailable on video or DVD, but with a nice new print out there I’m guessing a DVD release might be in the works.
Glad to hear good things about MBN, I’ll be seeing it in the next couple of days.
I saw 21 Saturday night, which was the only decent-looking film at the multiplex. Believe it or not, the card counting “confused” one of my friends. But, honestly, I doubt I’d be able to do it either. The movie itself was an entertaining two hours, although it dragged through some parts and wasn’t entirely plausible as a story set in 2008. I’m fairly certain all the major casinos in Vegas (Reno, not so sure) have facial recognition systems now. Dinosaurs like Laurence Fishburne’s character probably still exist, though. And a professor being able to kick you out of college and ruin your life? It hits home, but only in the terrorists-will-kill-you-while-your-sleep way.
And glad to hear the good news about MBN. I’ll still have to wait for DVD, though.
SHINE A LIGHT, which received excellent reviews across the board, was a most expert concert film. I was taken in with the early irony of the embrace of Bill Clinton and Bill Richardson, who are now political adversaries. The use of early 60’s interviews was most effective, and the songs really rocked. A number of Rolling Stones fanatics as well as general music lovers in my e mail network (who saw it in IMAX as I did not) are still numb from the experience. Definitely pushing close to Scorsese’s previous hit with The Band.
Kids forced me to see NIM’S ISLAND with Jodie Foster which was no SWISS FAMILY ROBINSON. Static and lame, but no revelation here.
Broadway got in the way of my seeing RED BALLOON or WATER LILLIES as of yet, but they are on top of the list.
Craig, you sold me on a visit to BLUEBERRY NIGHTS. Brave review there, and a very fine one too!
Sadly, I probably won’t be able to catch My Blueberry Nights for some time, but I look forward to it. I was going to catch Shine a Light, but things got in the way, hopefully I’ll get to it this week sometime.
Did catch The Ruins though, and I didn’t think it was bad, not great, and could’ve been much better considering the source material, but its hardly the stinker the critical ban would imply.
Saw Snow Angels and The Band’s Visit this weekend. I really liked the Band’s Visit quite a bit. It’s definitely high on my list for new films in 2008 (or 2007…whatever). Nice and simple story-telling with an emphasis on characters as opposed to plot.
Snow Angels wasn’t bad, wasn’t amazing, just pretty good. I think the plot was possibly a little unnecessary, as the characters themselves were more interesting than the plot elements. I’m still mulling this one over though.
We also revisited 3:10 to Yuma (2007) and that was a lot of fun for well-acted popcorn entertainment. The movie has numerous glaring contrivances, but it was fun and I don’t really mind the awkward weaknesses when the movie is this engaging. Good times.
Glad to hear you liked Blueberry Nights and Shine a Light, Craig.
Almost forgot, I watched Southland Tales this weekend too. I suppose if you don’t have anything good to say, say nothing at all.
I saw Shine a Light and had pretty much the exact same thoughts on it as you, Craig. It shouldn’t be advertised for more than it is, but if you’re expecting song and dance you should be satisfied. I plan to see MBN whenever it arrives. Also glad to see Priceless and The Year My Parents are coming in two weeks, though I’ll be gone for the weekend.
So The Band’s Visit has yet to disappoint anyone!
That would be an awesome weekend double feature, Hedwig. I was fortunate to catch those two in the theater at a double feature years ago. They go together well.
Cool, Paul. Milos Forman is coming here this Saturday as well. This guy is getting around. The Walker Art Center is screening almost all of his movies this month.
Nice reviews, Craig.
I saw Tuya’s Marriage, which was the winner of the Silver Bear Award at Berlin. Or was it the Golden Bear? Well, one of the Bears. I’m not sure what its competition was that it took the prize, but I have to admit this film left me flat. It has some good moments, and of course the background music of throat-singing is glorious, but overall my reaction to the film was “meh”. I chose to see it because I have an interest in the culture of that area of the world (Mongolia, China). If you’re interested in a film about Mongolia, I would recommend the far superior A Mongolian Tale, directed by Fei Xie and starring the famous throat singer Tengger as a troubador. It’s a beautiful, moving film with a gorgeous soundtrack.
Yesterday I was planning on seeing Aleksandra but was unable to go. I’m aiming to see it tonight.
Not a big weekend for movies for me.
I am so glad you liked My Blueberry Nights Craig, it means there may be hope for me when I see it. I have wanted to see it forever, and it would be a shame if the film does nothing for me.
I am also glad for the people who enjoyed Shine a Light, not much more than a concert film, but a damn good one if you are into the Stones.
Other than Shine a Light, I also saw Dan in Real Life and I did not hate it. I was surprised to hear that Dan had such a good cast but the reality is that they are not given much to work with. Juliette Binoche was lovely as always and I think if I see Amy Ryan or Emily Blunt in another film any time soon, I may scream. Alternatively, believe in God again. Not too sure where I stand actually.
Lol, on Dan, Nicholas. I think it’s in the SAG contract that any production must have Emily Blunt, Amy Ryan, Josh Brolin, Jude Law, John C. Reilly, Jamie Foxx or at least one of the Fanning girls in it.
I was hoping My Blueberry Nights would be better than the critics were a-sayin’. I haven’t seen it yet, but I’m cautiously optimistic now. I do like blueberries.
I saw nothing this weekend. Nothing. No movies whatsoever. It just didn’t happen for one reason or another. But my house is now oddly clean.
I really don’t think SHINE THE LIGHT is being promoted for anything more than what it is, and that is an expert concert film. I don’t honestly see how anyone else could see it otherwise. It is one of the best of it’s kind.
Alison, I am not surprised. TULA’S MARRIAGE received very lukewarm to poor reviews, sorry to see you kind of got burned with it.
Personally, I don’t think there can ever be too much Emily Blunt.
I agree Sam, about Shine a Light.
jennybee, at least you can say your house is clean….my bedroom is so not.
Glad you enjoyed “My Blueberry Nights” Craig. I never for a moment hated it, but I was severely disappointed, especially after “In the Mood for Love” and “2046.” This one just seemed underdeveloped.
It WAS beautiful though, and I thought David Strathairn was great…it’s a shame so few are mentioning his extraordinary performance.
Finally caught up with Margot at the Wedding and I’m Not There.
I thought the acting in Margot of Jennifer Jason Leigh, Nicole Kidman, and Zane Pais was of a very high order. I’m really sorry that the two leads, particularly Jason Leigh, didn’t receive more critical kudos for outstanding work. Baumbach certainly draws terrific performances from actors.
Despite many fine moments, particularly in the dysfunctional and sometimes tender interplay between the sisters and between Margot and her son, I found the film’s writing too often uneven and wanting. For me the structure fell apart towards the end in an effort to bring overall dramatic shape to the piece. The tree falling on the wedding marquee seemed a clunky contrivance, far too literal. And Margot’s falling apart in the author Q&A was an unconvincing device. To have such a dramatic public meltdown because of a provocative question or two is a stretch, more so when the questions appeared not very telling or incisive.
I can accept that talented literary authors are capable of having difficult personalities, manifest life problems, and a selective lack of self insight. But I struggle to imagine that someone who so severely filtered the world through her own distorting lens could have enough plausible insight about people to write successful character studies.
Lastly, I thought Jack Black was a weakness. He was good at times when more understated. But wasn’t helped by having such a broadly sketched character, yet again playing a not very bright man with the emotional and social maturity of a histrionic teenager. It proved an awkward fit with heavy-weight acting talent playing more nuanced characters. I’m glad I saw it for the things it did well, but it was a disappointment after the outstanding Squid and the Whale.
Will get round to offering some thoughts on the ambition I’m Not There later.
Sam, the movie wasn’t terrible. I guess you could say I’m one of the people in the lukewarm camp. I’m not sorry that I gave it a try.
Seriously, though, if you want to see a good film about Mongolia, A Mongolian Tale is the one.
What are your thoughts on The Story of the Weeping Camel and The Cave of the Yellow Dog, Alison? I think they’re the only ones I’ve seen, but enjoyed them both.
Craig, I have renewed hope about MBN now that you’ve discussed it openly. Unless it was the prevailing opinion that it was absolutely awful (right across the board) I wouldn’t hesitate to see it. But the fact that you enjoyed it makes me feel more confident in its prospects all ready. It sounds like my kind of film in any case.
However, even though I am a HUGE Stones fan, I think I’m going to take a pass on Shine A Light. In the suburbs here it’s playing on ordinary sized screens. Downtown it’s only at one theatre and it’s a special stand alone IMAX (one of several that we have in this city). I attended a Stones IMAX concert film in the early 90s with a group of older relatives. It was fine, but unless the technology has changed drastically in the last decade I don’t think IMAX is something I’ll ever be purchasing shares in.
I’ve attended a lot of concert movies over the years (or pictures that focused on specific musicians, rock and roll, what have you) but ultimately most of them are rather forgettable. A lot of them are just attempting to recreate the electricity of being there. Seeing as NOTHING can ever successfully duplicate the experience of actually being present in that hall on that day to see those people live, well…Sometimes they’re pleasant enough in part. But mostly a letdown.
Hedwig, I’m so glad that you enjoyed TO HAVE AND HAVE NOT. I own it. It’s killer. Not only do Lauren and Bogie set off serious sparks (um, get out the fire hose) but they were actually falling in love when they were working together on that picture.
I generally crave at least an extra layer of subtext in most of my favourite entertainment - AND THERE IT IS.
Hedwig “the point is Bogie and Bacall, and they sizzle.” That about sums it up, doesn’t it?
Paul. That’s great you got to see Taking Off. You seem to go out of your way to find the most interesting things and it sounds like you have a few good outlets for retrospective type stuff.
My Blueberry Nights. It’s a bit whispy and elusive, but for me no less satisfying. It’s not a strongly plotted movie, though Norah Jones’ story does hold the whole thing together. It’s a feeling and an experience more than anything. And did I mention fawking gorgeous? Anyway, I’ll be reviewing it soon.
Matthew, I aim to rewatch 2046 and In The Mood for Love soon, we’ll see if MBN still holds up afterward. You’re right about Strathairn too. Heartbreaking.
Miranda, I’ll be curious to hear what you think about it. My stand is not the popular one, but hey, different strokes for different folks.
As for Shine a Light…I’d have to say this is the best Stones concert movie I’ve seen, but you’re right, there’s no substittute for the real thing. Though I’d argue that most people don’t get a chance to see them in such an intimate setting. I think everyone knows in their heart already whether they need to see this or not and they should follow their instinct….if that makes any sense.
Nick, I’m with Paul…there can’t be too much Emily Blunt in this world.
Alison, I read about the Mongolian film when I was preparing the Weekend Forecast and it sounded pretty dismal, though I was prepared to check it out if the word was good. Sounds like from what you’ve said and what Sam read, not so much. Golden Bear be damned. Those film festival juries are often a little fruity if you ask me.
Craig, YELLOW DOG and WEEPING CAMEL were very nice films, not great but definitely worthwhile and different. GENGHIS BLUES was also memorable.
Meant to address teh previous response to Daniel, sorry Craig……….and I do agree with you Alison on A MONGOLIAN TALE, that one was a winner.
Sartre, it sounds like we had a very similar repsonse to Margot, though I liked Jack Black better than you did.
Great performances wasted in a film I didn’t care to see. Though I aim to revisit it and see if my attitude has softened.
Daniel, both are good films which I intend to rent and watch again, along with Genghis Blues, which Sam mentions. All three are worth seeing. But, seriously, if you can get a hold of a copy of A Mongolian Tale it’s absolutely wonderful.
As for To Have and Have Not, everyone here knows my opinion, as I’ve raved about it on another past issue of The Water Cooler.
Right, Sam. I think what was most interesting in those two was that the lines between documentary and fiction were blurred. I liked seeing a family kind of play themselves (now I’m reminded of The Fast Runner). More than anything, though, I enjoyed the trip to a world for which I would otherwise have no way to visualize. It was quite the cultural experience. I should look for A Mongolian Tale and Genghis Blues.
Alison, I’ve got quite a recommendation for you, now that you’ve expressed interest in both Mongolia and Brazil. The Great Match may be the only film featuring both. It played on the festival circuit last year.
Great thoughts on Margot, sartre. Your eloquence is unparalleled once again. All I could say about it was that “I didn’t like it.”
Thanks, Daniel. I’ve actually got that one in my Netflix queue. It sounded awesome.
My main issue with Margot was that I just didn’t like any of the characters. I’m not even sure Baumbauch liked the characters he created.
At least in Squid and the Whale, I could sympathize with the two boys and see things through their eyes. In this one, not so much.
Ah, Joel (and Sartre, and Craig), the eternal question: does a movie need likable characters? The last movie I remember that debate being waged over was Closer. The two movies are very dissimilar though: Closer was very precise, and carefully constructed, which made it fascinating to watch but rather clinical, while Margot is much rawer and messier, and as a result (I think) much more powerful.
I seem to be the only passionate defender of this movie, for some reason (well, aside from Erich Kuersten, who I sometimes suspect of being my repressed alter ego: we share quite a few tastes - he shares my undying love for Gondry, for exampe - and he dares to be much bitchier and less nuanced). Maybe it’s because - loathe as I am to admit it - I actually recognize a bit of myself in Margot, and the movie has moments where it hits uncomfortably close to home. Don’t worry, I’m generally much nicer than her…but sometimes it’s amazingly easy to be cruel.
Oh, and Miranda: I own To Have and Have Not too. I bought it, sight unseen (together with The Big Sleep and The Lady From Shanghai for 25 euro total), and I certainly don’t regret it! The DVD also includes a short TCM doc about the making, and - best of all - the Merry Melodies short “Bacall to arms”, in which a cartoon Bacall literally leaves flames behind as she walks.
I’m in the “go back and take a second look at things that you saw as a teenager” mode. Sunset Blvd. was better than I thought as a teen-ager, but I fully expected that. Ninotchka is quicker and funnier than I expected it to be, if ou accept the fundamental unrealities of a 1930s comedy. Frothy and clever Lubitsch. The Asphalt Jungle is a pretty straightforward noir, but solidly done and elegantly photographed.
Yeah, Hedwig, I admit that the characters don’t have to be likable to be enjoyable. It’s just that I found myself disliking the characters AND their actions so much that I didn’t enjoy the movie. It doesn’t help that I don’t like Nicole Kidman much to begin with. She’s always fighting an uphill battle with me.
But I know what you mean. It’s a fine line to walk and if a movie is only good because one character or another is sympathetic, likable, or right, well then we’d have a lot less interesting movies out there to watch.
I love going back to films I’ve seen years ago and haven’t seen in ages, K. Bowen. This past weekend I did so with Alien (a film I had only seen once before, a number of years ago). Those three films you chose to look at again, Sunset Boulevard, Ninotchka and The Asphalt Jungle, I think are films that all age better upon subsequent viewings. Ninotchka does become a little slack in its last big jog, but who cares? The Asphalt Jungle is as great as pulp can get in my opinion.
Saw West Side Story at the Castro yesterday. New 35mm print. The sound quality wasn’t as stellar as I was hoping. Still pretty magical, though.
Craig, I’m glad you liked My Blueberry Nights. I really should give that one another try sometime fairly soon. I think I was punishing it a little for not being Chungking Express or 2046… or, well, any of Wong’s previous films. (I do realize that some may argue that the problem with Blueberry is that it’s too much like his previous films, but lacking in those other films’ quality.)
Just left San Fran right before a slew of great films at the Castro.
But all you La La Land denizens, Tarantino will be introducing two Glen Ford westerns tonite at the New Bev. Can’t beat that fer seven bucks.
Only in La La Land, Christian. Y’all are spoiled.
Well, Tim Burton’s going to be in the Netherlands this week… I believe he lands mere hours after I depart for Oslo. Just my luck.
That sucks Hedwig!
Well, lucky for me, the going to Oslo for 6 days doesn’t :-)
That does not suck :)
Hedwig. First of all, liking the characters is not required. I didn’t like the characters in The Savages, but I loved the movie. The funny thing about Margot, is that I actually kind of liked Margot. I wouldn’t want to be around her in real life or have her as my sister, but I enjoyed watching her prowling around the movie like an emotional shark. I’m weird that way.
I just never made a personal connection to the movie. The characters were largely foreigners to me.. They were like a zoo exhibit: Americanum Familiata Disfunctionensis and you watch them for a few minutes and think “oh that’s interesting” and then you move on and forget about them.
Curious metaphor Craig. If I were to take your zoo-analogy a step further in terms of Margo, I’d have to say that the animals were curious, I just got tired of watching their “feeding time” over and over again. The whole movie for me seemed to be a series of wild animals fighting over some half-dead emotional carcass (baggage), with digestive pauses in-between.
I just don’t like watching people go at each other like pinatas (I make exceptions for Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and the collected works of Shakespeare though).
Ooh, I like this. I didn’t see Margot at the Wedding (and have no intention to) but I’m enjoying the “zoo” analogy very much.
Americanum Familiata Disfunctionensis.
LMAO.
Don’t let us deter you, Alison. As Hedwig and others have pointed out, the movie might just appeal to you AND it has a couple of excellent actresses in it.
It just didn’t appeal to me.
Joel, I have an unxplainable dislike of Nicole Kidman. I think she’s extraordinarily talented. She just rubs me the wrong way.
I imagine your dislike of her is similar to mine. I can appreciate her talent and she seems like a decent person in the real world, yet I have a very difficult time with her. She always seems to come across as very cold and aloof. Normally when that fits the character, it actually makes her performance work more for me but in the case of Margot, I just couldn’t stand her.
I have never liked one Kidman performance except in TO DIE FOR. She’s an ice queen. And I find her awful in EYES WIDE SHUT.
Kidman critics?! I thought I was the only one…
For me, she’s less than tolerable in everything but Far and Away. Yes, Christian, she’s a cold and calculating character in too many movies. I think she needs a nice, relatable comedy to break it up a little bit. As Craig mentioned about her in Margot - is she really “likable” in much else?
I don’t know, she’s not by any means a bad actress, but between her poor American accent and her seemingly permanent “I-smell-a-fart” expression (nose job?), I don’t find myself looking forward to her movies. But I still see most of them, and they’re not all together bad (aside from last year’s The Invasion). It really is hard to explain, isn’t it Alison?
At this point I think the permanent “I-smell-a-fart” expression is from all the botox treatments. Or something.
Actually I’m beginning to notice a few famous actors who have turned to botox, including some men. It’s kind of obvious in the photos when they’ve just received a shot. I speak with some knowledge about this - someone I know gets them for migraine headaches (with the wonderful side effect being that it slows down aging). Botox has a numbing effect on the muscles so it relieves her headaches. Or she may be giving that as a reason so people don’t think she’s vain.
Well I like Ms. Kidman and I cannot wait to see Margot and I am sure I will love her even more.
You know, I just realized, after reading these posts on Nicole Kidman, and then looking at her list of credits over at IMDB, that there are only two, count ‘em, two, Kidman films that I actually genuinely like. To Die For and Eyes Wide Shut (in which, I’ll at least partly agree with Christian, she was kind of miscast).
I don’t think I ever quite realized that before.
Well I disagree with you guys a little. I thought she fit the role in Eyes Wide Shut but I’m not completely sure Tom did. I didn’t necessarily like her character in EWS, but I thought she played it well.
I generally admire Kidman’s acting. I think she has a terrific talent for playing icy cool, in part because she is good at representing a brittle and vulnerable undercurrent that such a style can serve to shield or compensate for. I’m not convinced she is simply playing herself. And whether she uses botox is neither here nor there to me, she remains a striking film presence with her fine features, blue eyes, fair complexion, and elegant physique. She seems one of those people who perhaps attract more than their fair share of ungenerous appraisal.
I’m with Joel re EWS. I thought she was well cast, and that despite his best efforts TC was given a task beyond his talent.
Well hey Joel Coen, I agree…
But I like her in a lot of things, there is nothing that I hated or disliked her in. Not one thing.
Wow, Joel, I hope Frances McDormand (a) isn’t reading this blog and, if she does, (b) doesn’t become easily jealous.
I imagine she’s not the jealous type, Alexander.
You’re probably right, sartre. Let us hope, anyway.
Her reaction to the Coens winning made Oscar night for me.
True about her reaction, Alexander.
Nobody is as botoxed out as much as Zellweger, right? Who are the men, Alison? Ok, wait a minute, this is about to turn into an US Weekly conversation. Maybe we should stop.
I had a similar reaction looking at her credits, Alexander. She’s really taken off since 2000, but you’d have a difficult case calling any of her films classics. Maybe Joel Coen can find a role for her in their next film?
I couldn’t tell the difference between Botox or just your standard plastic surgery disaster, and man, there’s a lot of those in Hollywood’s middle-aging stars these days.
Although I wish no ill will to those in Hollywood that attempt to stymie the clock and turn back time through medical technology, if you tempt fate that way you likely get what you deserve. Some things just aren’t meant to be.
I probably shouldn’t have brought it up at all. It started with Daniel’s “I-smell-a-fart” expression (nose job?) comment and I just presented another explanation for the expression.
It’s actually unfortunate that there is so much pressure on the stars to make time stand still (or turn it back) - the business and audiences demand that they stay young and beautiful. And as everyone knows, those methods leave their marks. Plastic surgery makes the face look stiff, and so does Botox, though it’s not necessarily permanent the way surgery is.
But I digress. Back to movies and movie-related topics. I do think Nicole Kidman is a very talented actress; I just can’t warm up to her.