Team Snoogans is happy to select as my second wildcard pick...a movie that perhaps not a lot of people have seen or heard of but it is both powerful and controversial...
THE BELIEVER
Quote:
Censors feel they are safe with objectionable material but must protect others who are not as smart or moral. The same impulse tempts the reviewer of "The Believer." Here is a fiercely controversial film about a Jew who becomes an anti-Semite. When I saw it at Sundance 2001, where it won the Grand Jury Prize, I wrote "some feared the film could do more harm than good." I shared those fears. The film's hero is so articulate in his retailing of anti-Semitic beliefs that his words, I thought, might find the wrong ears. I understand the film, I was saying--but are you to be trusted with it? Certainly the movie has been a hot potato. After a screening at the Simon Wiesenthal Center inspired audience members to protest it, no major distributor would pick it up. Showtime scheduled it for a cable showing, which was canceled in the aftermath of 9/11. Then it was finally shown in the spring and now has theatrical distribution from small Fireworks Pictures. In the meantime, to its Sundance awards it has added Independent Spirit Awards for best screenplay and best first feature (both to director Henry Bean), best actor (Ryan Gosling) and best supporting actress (Summer Phoenix). Few doubt it is a good film. But do we really need a movie, right now, about a Jewish neo-Nazi? I am not the person to answer that question for you. You have to answer it for yourself. The film's anti-Semitism is articulate but wrong, and the conflict between what the hero says and what he believes (or does not want to believe) is at the very center of the story.
Ok so in preperation for my next pick I would like to move Rocky to Sports, then Walk the line to Best Picture (Golden Globes - Best Motion Picture - Musical or Comedy 2006)
With Walk the Line leaving the Documentary category this left a big hole to fill and what better thing to fill a hole then a part, to be more specific Private Parts. The story of a little known DJ and his struggle to the top of the radio biz, maybe you heard of him, Howard Stern.
Having always wanted to be a disc-jockey, Howard Stern works his way painfully from radio at his 1970's college to a Detroit station. It is with a move to Washington that he hits on an outrageous off-the-wall style that catches audience attention. Despite his on-air blue talk, at home he is a loving husband. He needs all the support he can get when he joins NBC in New York and comes up against a very different vision of radio.
You're the Anti-Christ
Siskel & Ebert review "Private Parts"
Last edited by Superflyer; 11-07-2008 at 07:06 PM.
Team Snoogans is happy to select as my second wildcard pick...a movie that perhaps not a lot of people have seen or heard of but it is both powerful and controversial...
THE BELIEVER
Very good, strong movie. This is the one (if I am not mistaken) that put Gosling on the map as a serious actor. He really delivers in this role. Definitely worth watching.
Hey folks!
Just checked and saw my turn was coming but I'll be travelling tonight and into mid-day tomorrow so don't wait on me, I'll pick when I have a chance to get online tomorrow night.
Very good, strong movie. This is the one (if I am not mistaken) that put Gosling on the map as a serious actor. He really delivers in this role. Definitely worth watching.
I love his performance in this movie, especially the way he portrays the character's struggle and duality. He was 18 or 20 I believe when they gave him the role and it definitely put him on the map as a young talent. He would have more credibility, if only he could stay away from some of those poor, chick flick type movies.
Very good, strong movie. This is the one (if I am not mistaken) that put Gosling on the map as a serious actor. He really delivers in this role. Definitely worth watching.
Ryan Gosling is as good a young actor as exists in Hollywood. He delivers everytime out.
If he continues to produce this kind of work he will be mentioned in the same breath as the greats in 20 years. I watch everything he is in because I don't want to miss something great.
He was awesome in this movie.
__________________ I am in love with Montana. For other states I have admiration, respect, recognition, even some affection, but with Montana it is love." - John Steinbeck
With our Wildcard#2 pick team Yippie-Kay-Yay is happy to select the 2005 underapprieaced:
Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
The film is narrated by a small-time criminal, Harry Lockhart (Robert Downey Jr.). He is self-aware and talks to the audience at various times through the movie.
Running away from police after a botched robbery, Harry runs into a movie audition to escape and, ironically, impresses the producers. He is brought to Hollywood, where he meets homosexual private-eye "Gay" Perry von Shrike (Val Kilmer), who is enlisted to help Harry prepare for his role in the movie.
Harry is introduced to Hollywood parties and encounters his dream-girl, Harmony Lane (Michelle Monaghan); a girl Harry has known since childhood. The two childhood friends leave for Harry's apartment, but budding romance is squelched when Harry proceeds to drunkenly have sex with Harmony's friend.
Following around Perry at his job, Harry stumbles upon evidence of a complicated murder mystery eerily similar to the detective stories which Harry and Harmony grew up reading. The three team up to solve the mystery and encounter a series of seemingly nonsensical problems.
^^ That's a flick that I really thought I wasn't going to like, but I really enjoyed it. Val Kilmer was great, quite funny and I love Robert Downey Jr.
