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Post by roverpup on Feb 24, 2017 18:20:27 GMT
I haven't watched it yet - but I fully intend to see it tonight (problems with downloading notwithstanding). But I did read an article in the Globe and Mail today about David O. which was fascinating and got me to look up more about this movie and I was delighted to see that Amma Asante was the director of it. Here's the link to the article - beta.theglobeandmail.com/arts/film/david-oyelowo-on-his-film-career-and-political-deja-vu/article34122685/?ref=http://www.theglobeandmail.com&Of course many of you will remember that she was the director of Belle (another great movie) and also eloquently came to BC's defense when he inadvertently misspoke on Travis Smiley and was jumped on by SJWs on social media (and I might add that David Oyelowo also supported him completely during this time). I also think it is interesting that Sophie Hunter has a connection to David Oyelowo as well - he directed a play she was in, The White Devil, in 2006. And BC and David O. also worked together early on when both were in Spooks (David O. as a regular cast member and BC as a guest) in 2003. Plus BC and David worked together on 12 Years a Slave (EDIT:My mistake - never happened!!)Small island, of course. :-)) |
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Post by MagdaFR on Feb 24, 2017 20:44:29 GMT
Plus BC and David worked together on 12 Years a Slave I don't remember DO on 12 Years a Slave. I'd like to see this movie but I don't know when it is going to be released here. |
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Post by roverpup on Feb 24, 2017 21:47:27 GMT
My mistake about that - that was CE of course! Sorry!
But Small Island and Spooks is correct.
:-))
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Post by MagdaFR on Feb 24, 2017 22:00:02 GMT
I thought he had played some other character other than Salomon Northup and I couldn't remember.
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Post by roverpup on Feb 25, 2017 4:19:58 GMT
Unfortunately we didn't get to see A United Kingdom tonight.  Another night some time in the not too distant future I hope. :-)) |
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Post by miriel68 on Feb 27, 2017 17:30:31 GMT
I've seen it and loved it! It is a traditional film in many aspects, but I don't care: it's in the best tradition of the British Cinema,and I would give it an Oscar nomination over many other nominated films!
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Post by roverpup on Feb 27, 2017 20:25:31 GMT
I think I will try again to see if we can view it tonight. I love edgy, quirky films but I also like more traditional fare if they are really well done too. Especially if they are letting me discover new aspects of culture or historical aspects that are a bit lesser known by me.
Films based on historical happenings or ones that are biographical in nature are my most favourite genres. My very most favourite film of all time is Peter O'Toole's Lawrence of Arabia - it had everything Po'T looking so dashing and gaunt and completely mad, exotic historical settings, deep examination of a fascinating character, Omar Sharif, David Lean's directing, sweeping landscapes, memorable music score, action scenes to knock your socks off, quiet moving scenes that could bring tears out of a stone, intriguing themes and political comment... everything I could ever ask for in a movie. And yet it was a very traditional film in its format really. So if it is done well it can be sublime IMO.
:-))
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Post by miriel68 on Feb 27, 2017 23:02:49 GMT
Films based on historical happenings or ones that are biographical in nature are my most favourite genres. My very most favourite film of all time is Peter O'Toole's Lawrence of Arabia - it had everything Po'T looking so dashing and gaunt and completely mad, exotic historical settings, deep examination of a fascinating character, Omar Sharif, David Lean's directing, sweeping landscapes, memorable music score, action scenes to knock your socks off, quiet moving scenes that could bring tears out of a stone, intriguing themes and political comment... everything I could ever ask for in a movie. And yet it was a very traditional film in its format really. So if it is done well it can be sublime IMO. :-)) I like biographical films, as well, yet it is not very easy to do a good one. I've just seen Jackie which got rave review and yet I was disappointed. I admit the format was interesting and potentially powerful, but I left the theatre feeling that I learnt nothing about Jackie, about Kennedy and about the political situation of USA. Well, and I am not a great fan of Natalie Portman, to be honest. The Imitation Game was a very traditional film, but it was also a very good one, not only because of Benedict. And United Kingdom is also interesting because it talks about less known facts and realities: I am first to admit I had very little knowledge of the history of Botswana and it was fascinating to discover the dynamics behind its independence. |
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Post by roverpup on Feb 28, 2017 0:52:37 GMT
Have you read the source material it was based on?
I think that did give me something to focus on during the film (I was looking for how closely the film followed White's Life magazine article which was written only a week after the assassination, which in itself was an interesting dynamic). I think the film was more about how Jackie Kennedy was personally responsible for the moulding of the "Camelot" legacy of the Kennedy Administration from that interview and her motivations for doing so, rather than an intimate glimpse into her personality persay. Having lived through this era I was personally interested in the origins of this enduring symbolism of Kennedy period. The theme of illusion and reality in politics and public life was also an interesting one to me, which was explored in the film. White also wrote later about how this response for her grief brought about the Camelot theme for her fallen husband's time.
The film was remarkably accurate to White's essay - even down to the slightest nuance that he noticed during that interview.
I think NP did a very good job at a very diffficult role. I wouldn't call myself a fan of Portman - I have seen only a couple of her movies (Black Swan and Cold Mountain) before this one and all I can say is I don't remember her performance in Cold Mountain and I didn't like Black Swan at all. But this one I liked her performance in it.
The thing that also is enduring and I dare say is also daring is the musical score for this film. Really unusual and suited the film completely. I have written about that aspect more in the Oscars thread.
:-))
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Post by igs on May 9, 2017 20:16:49 GMT
Happened to notice there was a thread for this film, did you manage to see it roverpup? I saw this few weeks ago, it was a good film but not really the style of cinema I enjoy the most. I love love love theater, but I'm generally not a huge fan of movies that are very theatrical. The narrative was quite "set scene - BIG SPEECH with BIG ACTING - end scene" rinse and repeat. I found the story very fascinating though, how two persons' choice of spouse can throw a whole empire into turmoil. |
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