Has anyone seen Into the Woods? It seems like a movie I would probably enjoy, but I can’t seem to make myself go.
Poor Meryl Streep. She can’t help it if other actors continue to worship her performances, but I know she knows that people often sigh when they see her name listed and say “Well, OF COURSE she’s nominated. Sigh…” In fact, I think she said as much in one of her acceptance speeches.
A lot of people were surprised about the “snub” to Amy Adams. I saw Big Eyes and thought she did a good job, but not necessarily Oscar worthy. Christoph Waltz was TERRIBLE in that movie. I loved him in Inglorius Basterds, but he was horribly miscast in this one.
I did see Into the Woods, and although I enjoyed it, and all the performances, I don’t think any were especially Oscar-worthy. Meryl Streep was very good (when is she anything less?), but I enjoyed Emily Blunt and Tracey Ullman more.
I saw Into the Woods and enjoyed it, but I do like Sondheim and most musicals. I wouldn’t say it was Best Picture worthy but it was a very successful adaptation of the stage show, IMO. I think it’s silly to say anyone was “snubbed” by not being nominated for an Oscar. No one is entitled to a nomination so while I can see being surprised, claiming an actor/movie/director was snubbed is silly.
Why would you have to make yourself go? If you are that lukewarm about it just rent it.
Boyhood is being re-released in theaters which is weird because we watched it as a family last night on DVD. It’s a must-see of course but it could have been way better, like maybe with some character development, some direction, some acting, some script writing, some actual actors etc etc etc. The rest of the family raved about it. Son and I might see a movie together this weekend, either Birdman or Sniper. The family went to see Into the Wood when we were visiting my family in NY for Christmas. It had potential but really another Meryl Streep (singing) movie? ugh She was perfect in “It’s Complicated” but Into The Wood gets a thumbs down from me. Wifey loved it.
No. I might see it when it comes out on DVD, but I saw the Public Theatre production in Central Park a couple of years ago and hated it. Although I enjoy musicals, with only a couple of exceptions, I do not enjoy Sondheim’s work.
I love Sondheim but after what Johnny Depp did to Sweeney Todd which wasn’t the fault of S.S. I’m not all that excited about this one. It’s probably fine but I can’t see a musical winning an important Oscar, except maybe Meryl Streep because she’s Meryl Streep.
Saw Birdman last night. Brilliant - much better than I expected. Reviews refer to it as a comedy, it’s not. It’s a harrowing portrayal of artistic obsession and mental illness, with some funny moments. I don’t see how Michael Keaton doesn’t win for this part.
D saw “Into the Woods” with a bunch of her h.s. friends who had performed in it last year at their school. Consensus was that it was pretty good, but not quite as good as their version. I think it’s missing a reprise of “Agony,” which I thought was the best song on stage.
H & I both liked Into the Woods. We had seen it performed at Ds high school, but hadn’t ever seen a professional version. ( I think the theatre director must have liked Sondheim, her senior production was A Little Night Music).
I personally loved Grand Budapest Hotel, beautifully filmed and directed, great ensemble cast, very clever. I also was very impressed with Birdman, haven’t yet seen Boyhood as I somehow missed it earlier, hope it will be in wider release. Looking forward to going to see Selma this weekend, need to catch up to several others nominated. The one film that I totally recommend is Ida, nominated for Best Foreign Film and Best Cinematography. It is stunning and a really intriguing story. I am surprised that Gillian Flynn did not get nominated for Best Adapted Screenplay, as I thought the adaptation of the book was quite good, same with Unbroken.
I loved Ida, watched it twice and the second viewing was better than the first. The cinematography was breathtaking, as was the acting by Agata Kulesza and Agata Trzebuchowska. The former deserves an award her portrayal of Wanda.
Disappointed to see that Still Alice did not get a wide release in the Chicago area this weekend. According to Fandango, it’s only playing at one theater here, and they (it must be a mistake) have the showtime listed as 6AM!
I downloaded the book earlier this week and it’s in my queue to read.
I’ve read Still Alice on ebooks as when it came out it was very inexpensive. But it’s been a while so I had it mixed up with Before I go To Sleep, which I bought on ebooks at the same time ( & for same reason. Hard to pass up a book for a couple dollars), which * also* has been made into a movie, starring Nicole Kidman and Colin Firth.
Selma hasn’t been out that long ( although I think there are other movies nominated which still are not out in our area), but I think the bigger issue isn’t that the film with a minority cast wasn’t nominated, but why are there not a whole passel of minority directed/cast/starring films under consideration?
It is 2015
Which reminds me- still need more female represented, especially in stories of older adults.
Meryl Streep and Helen Mirren can’t take on * every* role.
It looks like both “Selma” and “American Sniper” were released (in limited release) on Christmas day. “Selma” then went on to a general release on January 9th and “American Sniper” was released widely on January 16th.
So, the excuse that “Selma” isn’t as well known (because it was released too recently) doesn’t seem to explain why “American Sniper” got 6 Oscar nominations while Selma received two nominations. Why did Bradley Cooper get all the Oscar love while David Oyelowo did not?
I am NOT ascribing this snub to racism. I don’t know that much about the movie biz. I just find it curious…
I think it’s missing a reprise of “Agony,” which I thought was the best song on stage.