Fan Question Videos, A Few Film Reviews
The new backend admin features for Wordpress are pretty cool. Even cooler is the fact that Dale customized our layout. One of its downsides, unfortunately, is the fact that audio upload sizes are pretty restricted, making it basically impossible for me to throw up teasers on a whim.
Another cool development is the addition of video to Flickr. I know that a lot of Flickr purists are against it, but like anything, you just don’t have to use it. The clips are limited to 90 seconds, but can be embedded, so I’m probably going to use it primarily for quickly answering fan questions. If you’d like to ask a question, you can email me at matt@matthewgood.org or by using the Flickr mail service. If you chose to, please include your real name and where you’re from, because I won’t answer anonymous questions. Obviously, I won’t be able to get to everyone’s questions, so forgive me in advance if yours isn’t chosen.
Anyway, a few film reviews…
John From Cincinnati
I wasn’t sure what to make of this HBO series, but bought it anyway given that the creators of Deadwood are behind it. I must admit that I was refreshingly surprised – so much so that I watched the entire first season in one sitting.
There Will Be Blood
To say that this film wasn’t the best film made last year would be a profound understatement. While I have always been a massive fan of the work of the Cohen Brothers, there is simply no way that No Country For Old Men is even in the same league as this film. The acting, the dimension, the cinematography and depth – they are all representative of the sort of superlative filmmaking that is becoming increasingly rare.
The film opens with almost fifteen captivating, dialogue-free minutes; a powerful achievement and one that certainly speaks to not only the ability of Daniel Day-Lewis, but also the vision of Paul Thomas Anderson.
How this film did not win Best Picture is entirely beyond me.
April 10th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
I’ll have to rent “Blood”. The Black Stallion pulled off about a 20 minute dialogue free sequence. I am available for cameos in your flickr videos anytime you need me buddy.
April 10th, 2008 at 3:16 pm
Quality isn’t taken into account when selecting winner of Academy Awards, you know that.
April 10th, 2008 at 3:44 pm
Hey Matt, if you were nominated for an Oscar, would you attend?
April 10th, 2008 at 3:49 pm
[quote comment="49690"]Hey Matt, if you were nominated for an Oscar, would you attend?[/quote]
i’m happy i put the guinness i was drinking down before i read the comments… otherwise i would have a mess of sprayed stout to clean up…
i’ve been torn about watching “there will be blood” and many of the other oscar films actually. they all seem rather depressing and dark
April 10th, 2008 at 4:04 pm
You mention you are a huge fan of the Cohen Bros. as am I, ‘The Big Lebowski’ is probably my favorite movie of the bunch. But, I wasn’t all that impressed with ‘No Country for Old Men’. The acting I thought was amazing, and as many of the Cohen movies it leaves a lot in your hands to weave the story line yourself. Sadly, I think they left too many open ended, not to mention starts of characters that it felt random at times.
Maybe I have to watch it again to grasp the movie better, or multiple times for that matter lol.
Just wondering what you would give it in a review. Personally 3/5
Cheers,
B
April 10th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
No Country is by far one of my favorite films. It’s such a great adaptation from the novel.
There Will Be Blood is by far one of the best films I’ve ever seen. I. DRINK. YOUR. MILKSHAKE!
April 10th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Did you like the soundtrack to There Will Be Blood? Jonny Greenwood from Radiohead wrote and produced the entire thing. I think it is brilliant.
April 10th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
I just got done reading the Kite Runner. My mom saw the movie and said it was very good.
I’m sure I’ll give the movie 5 popcorn kernels. Can’t wait to see it.
April 10th, 2008 at 4:13 pm
Personally I preferred No Country for Old Men.
April 10th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
agreed, ‘blood’ is the best movie of the year, everything about it is beyond words. daniel day lewis is by far the best actor of our time, the dedication and intensity he puts into everything is indeed rare. ‘my left foot’ was the birth of this magician.
April 10th, 2008 at 4:39 pm
[quote comment="49690"]Hey Matt, if you were nominated for an Oscar, would you attend?[/quote]
Nope.
April 10th, 2008 at 4:47 pm
Daniel Day-Lewis is one of the few real actors left to fill Hollywood with greatness.
April 10th, 2008 at 4:48 pm
ps: drop the tomato, I know where he is from.
April 10th, 2008 at 5:07 pm
Yes! I have to say that movie really got me. Simply one of the best ones of last year however I believe, “no country for old men” was up there but certainly didn’t get near to this film. The acting was just… Mmmmh amazing!
April 10th, 2008 at 5:24 pm
If you like Daniel Day- Lewis, and haven’t seen it already- check out the film, ” The Ballad of Jack and Rose”:0)
It stars him, Camilla Belle (who i think resembles a younger Ms. Raymi Lauren!), Katherine Keener, etc. and it was filmed on little old PEI, not far from where I grew up. It’s a good movie, keeping in mind it is a very small budget indy.
~L
April 10th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
There Will Be Blood was an incredible film. I think Daniel Day-Lewis is just great in this film. Every film I have seen that he has been in has just amazed me. Very talented actor.
Just to throw it out there, the movie The Illusionist was pretty good if you like things that are hard to explain.
The world of the illusion. What you thought you saw it’s always what has happened.
April 10th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
Sad news…I like it when you throw up teasers on a whim.
April 10th, 2008 at 5:59 pm
[quote comment="49716"]
Just to throw it out there, the movie The Illusionist was pretty good if you like things that are hard to explain.
The world of the illusion. What you thought you saw it’s always what has happened.[/quote]
Hey Snowfalls: I actually thought that “The Prestige” was a better “magician” movie versus “The Illusionist”- just my opinion;0)
April 10th, 2008 at 6:01 pm
[quote comment="49701"][quote comment="49690"]Hey Matt, if you were nominated for an Oscar, would you attend?[/quote]
Nope.[/quote]
Epic Quote Matt.
April 10th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
[quote comment="49701"][quote comment="49690"]Hey Matt, if you were nominated for an Oscar, would you attend?[/quote]
Nope.[/quote]
This would have made a lovely fan question video.
April 10th, 2008 at 6:27 pm
[quote comment="49720"][quote comment="49701"][quote comment="49690"]Hey Matt, if you were nominated for an Oscar, would you attend?[/quote]
Nope.[/quote]
This would have made a lovely fan question video.[/quote]
….and it would have been a REALLY short vid at that… Almost a flash really… ;0)
April 10th, 2008 at 6:45 pm
[quote comment="49703"]Daniel Day-Lewis is one of the few real actors left to fill Hollywood with greatness.[/quote]
Until people started talking about this movie, I wasn’t aware DDL was still alive.
April 10th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
I actually liked No Country better (just wanted to insert one different opinion!).
April 10th, 2008 at 7:06 pm
John From Cincinnati is (well, was) one of my favorite tv shows of the past many many years. rebecca de mornay’s character got a bit grating at times with all the crazed yelling but the show was excellent and very engaging. I can’t even tell you how many people I know that are stunned that this show didn’t get to continue… do your magic zippy…
April 10th, 2008 at 7:32 pm
I was furious when I seen that “There Will Be Blood” lost to “No Country for Old Men”. This is the closest thing, in my opinion, to our “Citizen Kane”. Everything about the movie is excellently done, from the acting to the music.
But apparently, “Citizen Kane” didn’t fare too well at the Oscars either and look at it now, its the best movie of all time.
April 10th, 2008 at 7:34 pm
The Irishman can do nothing wrong. He does quality stuff. And yes, “…Blood” was the best film last year.
Oh well - just Hollywood trying to keep the Emerald Isle from further domination of the arts. West Life anyone?
April 10th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Hooray for the Flickr videos thing! I’ll have to go over and check it out.
I might be afraid to ask a question, though…the last time I asked a random question at a Q&A, I ended up running a big convention (still am doing it, as a matter of fact!). So now I’m wary.
Snowfalls and BruiseViolet (my quote option isn’t working for some reason) - I loooove The Illusionist. AND The Prestige, actually. They’re so different and the moods and themes are so different that even though they’re both “magician” movies, I don’t think they can really be compared that well (I tried, when my sister asked which I liked better, and failed utterly).
So…yes, Matt, if you haven’t seen them, both are fantastic. There Will Be Blood is next on my rental list.
April 10th, 2008 at 8:14 pm
[quote comment="49701"][quote comment="49690"]Hey Matt, if you were nominated for an Oscar, would you attend?[/quote]
Nope.[/quote]
All Sean Penn’s eventually accept they are talented.
April 10th, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Duuude, we need the edit function back.
I meant All Sean Penn’s show up to accept the award for their talent.
Ooooooh, the burning question is ‘would you show up to get your lifetime achievement award’ or ‘hall of fame’.?
I will await my answer on flickr. …….. kidding!!!!! Do not answer that question….. i’m afraid of the answer.
April 10th, 2008 at 8:21 pm
I drink your milkshake!!!!!!
April 10th, 2008 at 8:32 pm
I’m finished!
I agree that There Will Be Blood is the superior movie but I was really glad that the Coen brothers got their Oscars. P.T. Anderson’s day will come no doubt, he does nothing but make phenomenal movies. Which reminds me, I still need to find a copy of Hard Eight…
April 10th, 2008 at 9:36 pm
I cannot wait to see There Will Be Blood. I’ll be renting it Sunday.
I was enthralled with No Country. If you say Blood is better, I will believe you. I’m excited to watch it.
April 10th, 2008 at 9:48 pm
I could not agree more about There will be blood. It’s one of the better movies of the decade, nevermind the year.
Not to mention Greenwoods score — it could not have been more unconventional.
Matt, I can see you scoring a film something fresh like that.
April 10th, 2008 at 9:51 pm
For those that like Showtime TV shows, stayed tuned for Dysmorphia that premieres in October, which has an amazing Canadian actor.
April 10th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
Another great film with no dialogue until about 10 minutes in is Meliville’s classic Le Samourai, easily one of my favorite films ever.
April 10th, 2008 at 10:05 pm
[quote comment="49695"]Did you like the soundtrack to There Will Be Blood? Jonny Greenwood from Radiohead wrote and produced the entire thing. I think it is brilliant.[/quote]
I didn’t know that. I’ll watch it then.
April 10th, 2008 at 11:01 pm
[quote comment="49730"]Oh well - just Hollywood trying to keep the Emerald Isle from further domination of the arts. West Life anyone?[/quote]
West Life? When I was over there, it was all about Take That. :p
April 10th, 2008 at 11:20 pm
There Will Be Blood was fantastic but the music they used when Daniel was hiding out in the woods kind of ruined it for me. The hammers… really?
April 11th, 2008 at 6:15 am
No Country for Old men was not a worthy picture IMHO. ‘blood’ was not Daniel Day Lewis’s best ever performance either,. I think he should have got it for Gangs of New York a few years back, instead it went to Denzel that year for Training Day. Denzel should have won the year before for the Hurricane.
In the Valley of Elah was the most overlooked movie of the year. It should have won best pic in my opinion .
April 11th, 2008 at 6:21 am
matt…whats your take on Californication?
PTA had me hooked at Magnolia…how j. moore didnt get oscar for that is beyond me
fuck…that woman handcuffed to the coach in that short scene with john c reilly deserved an oscar
‘i dont even know no loud crashing noise’
and
‘that aint mine’
ive replayed that scene a million times and still howl every time
and the music….i rank aimee just the tiniest smidge under you. my fav concerts of all time have been yours and hers at the mod club
April 11th, 2008 at 6:55 am
Take That…BWHAHAHA
April 11th, 2008 at 7:04 am
I believe Hollywood could be rewarding the Cohen brothers for a body of work, and not just No Country. I am just about to watch Blood, but I also thought Michael Clayton was a better film. It was a little too straight forward possibly for the academy, while the other four are certainly more artistic. Does anyone else think subject matter gets taken into account as well? I think Day-Lweis is one of the finest actors of our generation, but it seems like he’s starting to fall in the same rut as Pacino did. Where no matter the role, they tend to overact, and it only feels like you watched their performance and not the film itself…well maybe it’s just me. This is for scale purposes Matt: What are some of the best movies made in recent history? it would help with learning your tastes.
April 11th, 2008 at 7:11 am
I’ll go ahead and agree with you sugar chicken, even tho I think the Cohen brothers are over rated, Fargo being their best work and properly recognized. I Dont think there was much to choose from this year, Elah was prolly overlooked because of its content matter. And yeah, Day Lewis did over act this time around. Maybe he was mad about gangs of new york. HAHA.
April 11th, 2008 at 7:52 am
I like the Cohen brothers if for no other reason than they can actually make a movie together - if I tried that with my brother somebody would end up dead.
April 11th, 2008 at 8:29 am
Ha ha ha Brian.
I have heard that the acedemy sometimes does finally give awards because ‘it’s about time’…. guess we will never know. But I think it’s a re-dick reason to give someone an award.
April 11th, 2008 at 9:44 am
[quote comment="49725"]
Until people started talking about this movie, I wasn’t aware DDL was still alive.[/quote]
I understand. I believe most people are merely living until proven otherwise.
I am curious about the overacting statements. Does anyone have a scene in mind, when Lewis (of “In the Name of the Father” glory) is hamming?
I think I said this before under an award show comment that Matt posted, but here it is again: Awards are what urination is to dogs. Just a golden thought.
If you want to see new movies and can leave Hollywood standards behind, explore some festivals.
April 11th, 2008 at 10:20 am
[quote comment="49695"]Did you like the soundtrack to There Will Be Blood? Jonny Greenwood from Radiohead wrote and produced the entire thing. I think it is brilliant.[/quote]
ya right! i didnt know that…
I loved the soundtrack.
There Will Be Blood was awesome.
not a good movie to see in theaters when you’re hungry.
those stretches of silence my stomach growling = embarrassment.
April 11th, 2008 at 10:21 am
the plus sign ( ) is missing! wth.
there should be a plus sign between silence and my stomach
April 11th, 2008 at 11:36 am
Haven’t seen ‘Blood’ yet either, but REALLY need to check it out. But I have to agree with the concensus here that No Country didn’t live up to the hype. I thought that the direction and acting was impeccable. Javier Bardem’s portrayal of the antagonist was almost Idyllic. However, in my opinion, the adaptation to film left holes.
Also, I am normally a huge fan of silence in art (both music and film). I have a great respect for what some artists (including Matt) can do with the auditory abyss. But I thought for the purposes of No Country, the silence/lack of soundtrack felt too abnormal.
April 11th, 2008 at 1:23 pm
That guy who played the preacher in There Will Be Bllood…..he was also in Little Miss Sunshine was awesome!
Great movie! Blood should have won.
April 11th, 2008 at 5:56 pm
[quote comment="49695"]Did you like the soundtrack to There Will Be Blood? Jonny Greenwood from Radiohead wrote and produced the entire thing. I think it is brilliant.[/quote]
Oo, I didn’t realize Jonny Greenwood was from Radiohead (I’m a fan of their music, but apparently not enough to know any of the band members outside of Thom Yorke ;p). I don’t find the “Blood” soundtrack to be very listenable on its own, but from what I’ve heard of it, I can see how it would create an amazingly dark, suspenseful atmosphere in a movie. Of course, it would help if I’d actually *seen* the movie …. I barely saw anything in the Oscar line-up this year. :( I really need to get myself a Blockbuster account ….
Hmm, and I might have to join in this question asking thing, Matt … if I can actually come up with a not-lame question that is *ponders*
April 13th, 2008 at 6:53 am
There Will Be Blood was an incredible feat, and Day-Lewis is amazing. No Country For Old Men was better. I’m really disappointed with the treatment of a film that is so perfect. Its treatment of capitalism and fate are something that America needs to hear right now.
I’m surprised that Matt has treated a film about corruption and capitalism and its dark consequences so flippantly. The problem is that the film is too complex for a wide audience. This year the Oscars got their act together and made almost all the correct decisions.
Again: No Country for Old Men= Best Hollywood film in many years. Blood= Second best Hollywood film in many years.