I found the first half of Whiplash to be such an awful downer I almost got up and left. But I stayed, and then it made sense. I think I disliked the Simmons character so much that I couldn’t love the movie.
@teriwtt - I had read the same prior to seeing the movie so I was surprised I felt that way. I saw your post where you liked his performance and disagree with me. I think its a lot of Hollywood hype over a “comedic” actor making a “transformational” performance. Five of us in my movie loving group went and we were all disappointed. 2 in my group really hated the movie and would have walked out due to boredom had they driven themselves. I did a lot of reading up on the actual story, including watching video footage of DuPont, and was not impressed by the performance, or the directing and screenplay. The real story is interesting and complex and the movie left much to be desired.
@bay - I agree that Simmons played such a dislikable character but he did it so well, capturing the narcissistic, maniacal genius of the character he was portraying.
Yes, I’ve seen the movie. I was never a Carell fan by any means. I did like him in Little Miss Sunshine and Crazy, Stupid Love, but never bothered with any of his other movies. Just never liked him. But I walked out of Foxcatcher feeling truly icky thanks to Carell’s performance (in a good way).
I can’t really think of any movie that I’ve ever seen that did its true story complete justice. I’ve learned to expect less from movies based on true stories, unfortunately. It doesn’t mean I don’t like those movies… I’ve just lowered my expectations. Unbroken was another one that, although I enjoyed it (as did H who did not read the book), it left a lot to be desired if you knew the whole story. Several movies this year up for Best Picture are based on true stories, and most people I’ve compared notes with really like these movies, but feel a lot was sacrificed to keep the movie at an appropriate running time.
The only one I have left to see (or that I want to see before the Academy Awards) is Whiplash. I will be passing on Birdman and American Sniper this year.
I still want to see Selma and The Theory of Everything. Shouldn’t be a problem as I’m off all next week.
Oh, and one of my local theaters is has two showings I might try to catch: Nominated live action shorts, and Nominated animated shorts.
Yeah, I kind of agree with that. But it turned out he did have some strong logic, misguided though it might have been. And in a sense, he was kind of proved correct.
I got horrified chills when he said “The two worst words in the English Language are ‘good job.’” Yikes.
Interesting trivia about the movie: Miles Teller actually used to be a drummer in a rock band. But apparently jazz drumming is completely different (for one, you hold the sticks differently), so he had to re-learn to play over an intense two month period. His instructor was actually one of the other drummers in the movie (the core drummer of Fletcher’s studio band who gives the folder to Andrew).
The thing that really bothered me about Whiplash was that implication that you mention Nrdsb4 - that the ends justify the means. I thought that’s what the film was implying, and I strongly disagree.
I just saw Whiplash. I think the end…the two use each other to get what they want and dreamed …and they both agreed and understood that the ends justified the means…Fletcher wanted a star and “knew” how to “recognize” one and “help” one, and Andrew wanted to “be” the star…and understood what he had to do (and give up) to do it…no one else seemed to understand it or be able to support it…
I saw Theory of Everything and found myself checking my phone. Like with Boyhood, I kept waiting for something to happen. Instead, we were presented with a film about time passing during some peoples lives.
Very excited for tonight’s show - I hope NPH hits it out of the park. I also hope for less painful dialogue during the presentations, which I hope for every year. Since NPH can sing and dance, perhaps he’ll have less dialogue himself - and because he can adlib so well, perhaps he at least will be less chained to what they put on the cue cards.
The acting categories, except for Best Actor, seem pretty well sewn up: Julianne Moore, Patricia Arquette, and J.K. Simmons. His is the award I most want to see, because I love his work, and because he is the only non-star among the nominees for supporting actor. I think the Oscar, at this point in his career, would make more of a difference in his future roles than it would for any of the other nominees.The Best Actor award can go to any of the nominees and I’ll be thrilled for the winner. Strong category this year!
New York magazine has some entertaining articles on this year’s race. This is especially fun: http://www.vulture.com/2015/02/oscar-best-picture-nominees-as-pie-charts.html
So which channel would be the best for watching the red carpet? What time are the die hard red carpet watchers going to get started?
I also think the Best Actor is the only real ? among the acting awards, but let’s not forget that there are often a few surprises at the Oscars, so no one is truly a shoe in.
This is the first time in years that I’ve actually seen many of the movies nominated, so I’m looking forward to the show.
E!
6-ish EDT
Have now seen 6 of the 8, will watch “Birdman” this afternoon, which only leaves “Selma” unseen before the Oscars. So far, I’d have to say “Whiplash” is my favorite - the intensity and the incredible performance of JK Simmons (and the added bonus of a reference to Carleton College, although why it would be about Carleton football is beyond me). Haven’t a clue which movie will actually win. I do think Eddie Redmayne is a lock for Best Actor (pending watching Michael Keaton in “Birdman”).
It’s going to be a drizzly chilly Red Carpet this afternoon.
I agree it’s between Eddie Redmayne and Michael Keaton for best actor. Personally, I prefer Redmayne by a lot but expect MK to win. And, expect Birdman to take best picture as well.
I haven’t seen The Theory of Everything. It seemed like one of those films that if you saw the trailer, you’ve seen the movie.
I’ll watch it eventually though.
I watch the red carpet on E (starts at 5:30 ET) I record the red carpet on ABC. I have Countdown to Red Carpet on already but I’m doing other things at the same time - so it’s only on in the background.
I don’t really care who wins anything - it’s all about the fashion for me.
Just finished watching “Birdman” and yes, it is very close between Redmayne and Keaton for Best Actor. I’ll go along with “Birdman” for Best Picture because Oscar just loves movies about actors.
Nrdsb4, it’s been awhile since I saw the trailer for TToE, but I think it focused mostly on the first part of the movie. I loved it. I think Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones both gave wonderful performances.
I’m afraid my face, Boyhood, won’t win for Best Picture because Birdman is about the industry. But if Linklater doesn’t win I’ll be so upset.