by Sam Juliano
Happy New Year’s to All Wonders in the Dark staff and readers! Here’s hoping 2010 will bring mutual health, happiness and the attainment of all that is sought out. As expected many bloggers took some time off, as well they should have to spend with family and to enjoy a modest block of time away from work. Others, yours truly included, spent time in movie theatres to catch the final wave of releases before the expected lull for the next three months. But that’s areprieve that isn’t such a bad thing. Allan’s silent poll countdown has faithfully proceded, and as always more than a few have left impressive responses. With year end lists beginning to appear, the one at Wonders may go up on Tuesday morning, complete with capsule assessments and screen grabs. So far, Ari, Just Another Film Buff, Andrew Wyatt and Matt Lucas have published their lists at links provided in a recent post. Craig Kennedy at Living in Cinema is nearing his own elaborate post as well. At GoodFellas, Dave Hicks has announced a January 11 launching of his gleefully-anticipated noir countdown. Best Regards always to our dear friend Down Under Tony d’Ambra, who has been a friend to us in so many ways.
I saw three films in theatres this week:
It’s Complicated *** 1/2 (Wednesday night) Edgewater multiplex
The Lovely Bones **** (Friday night) Village East Cinemas
The Messenger *** 1/2 (Saturday night) Cinema Village
IT’S COMPLICATED showcased yet another accomplished performance by Meryl Streep in a film that wasn’t anything new (yes Chuck Bowen, Nancy Myers is hardly Orson Welles!) but was still reasonably entertaining. Not the most probing of films, but oddly engaging with a few uproarious moments. No problem with Steve Martin or Alec Baldwin either. Just don’t expect all that much in psychological depth.
The castigation of Peter Jackson over his direction of THE LOVELY BONES has been an unfortunate backlash against his prior work, but truth be said THE LOVELY BONES isn’t such a bad film at all. Yeah, it’s use of computer-generated effects may be excessive, but underneath everything there’s a deep sense of humanity that at times makes the film a deeply-moving experience. Not every idea works, but there’s enough imagination in the astral passages and some wrenching observation of family grief that makes it a valid adaptations. And Ms. Ronan is wonderful in the lead. I think Jackson is in the doghouse these days, but this film doesn’t deserve the drubbing it took by the majority of critics.
THE MESSENGER is a well-acted military drama that centers around soldiers who are assigned the unenviable task of telling families of soldiers killed in action that their loved ones are gone, but it’s late attempts at romance are awkward an dunconvincing. Ben Foster, Woody Harrelson and Samantha Morton (as well as the distinguished actors of the victims’ families) give convincing performances, and the first two-thirds of the film is compelling, but then it loses steam when it stops following the vital linear thread. Still, a reasonable accomplishment.
I also saw three works from Allan’s backlog, inluding a nine-hour LITTLE DORRIT BBC production directed by Andrew Davies, the multi-hour THE THICK OF IT, upon which the theatrical film IN THE LOOP was based, as the superlative Film Museum DVD of Pabst’s silent masterpiece THE JOYLESS STREET.
So what did you people see, listen to or experience? Perhaps Dave or Joel can keep us abreast on the football, and Troy on the college and professional hoop scene.
There is some great stuff around the blogosphere:
***One of the nicest and most gifted people anywhere is Jon Lanthier, and he has posted some most interesting ‘New Year’s Resolutions’ at The Aspiring Sellout:
***Craig Kennedy exceedingly popular Watercooler thread, upon which the ‘Monday Morning Diary’ was patterned on, is up and running at Living in Cinema:
***’Just Another Film Buff’ has posted a ten-best list at his place that is simply brilliant in taste and intelligence. It’s one of the very best I’ve yet seen, and I haven’t seen a few of the choices either:
***Likewise, Ari at The Aspect Ratio has had an excellent list up for almost two weeks:
***Andrew Wyatt at Gateway Cinephiles again shows was he’s one of the most tasteful and intelligent of all the blogger critics with a list of true cinematic distinction:
***Matt Lucas, another relentless critic who never leaves a stone unturned, has a list of ultra-ecclectic fabric up at From The Front Row, that’s unlike any other one out there, and I say this in a positive sense:
***Bob Clark’s Top Ten of the Decade is up at The Aspect Ratio, and as always, Clark will have you thinking:
***Everyone at Wonders is urged to run over to Twenty-Four Frames, where John Greco has published one of the all-time greatest posts, examining the theatrical release of Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho. As always the pictures alone are to die for:
***Dave Hicks, that purveyor of blogging effervescence, has officially announced he will launch his long-anticipated ‘Noir Top 100 Countdown” on January 11th at his Good Fellas blog:
***Troy Olson has quite a round-up of his own favorites posts he’s published at his place over the past year, and it’s quite an assortment of riches:
***Dee Dee is featuring a Best of the Decade Top 25 list from Eric Armstrong over at Darkness Into Light, which I will soon investigate!:
***David Schleicher, ‘Writer Extraordinaire’ has penned a terrific essay on Michael Haneke’s widely-celebrated The White Ribbon, and it’s frankly a must-read:
***Pat at Doodad Kind of Town has a “baker’s dozen” up for her superb ‘Best of the Decade’ list complete with great capsules and photos!:
***T.S. of Screen Savour, one of the net’s best writers and film scholars, has been reviewing some of the latest year-end releases as per his annual custom, and he has some frank admissions that are surely a must-read:
***At Movie Classics, Judy has been on a months-long “roll” and early cinema has become her specialty. She’s got a rarely-seen Wellman film up at her place now, and she’s also been active on the silent scene as of late:
***Amazingly prolific Samuel Wilson continues his torrid movie going and reviewing with an exhaustive study of Henry King’s silent classic Tol’able David (1920) satrring Richard Barthelmess over at Mondo 70:
***Over at Only The Cinema, Ed Howard has a very popular review up of Coppola’s classic The Conversation:
***Stephen at Checking My Sausages is still highlighting his excellent, thoughtful essay on Avatar that takes a most different approach to things:
***The “King of the Capsule,” Shabhajit, has another one of his typically insightful short review up at Cinemascope on Despletchan’s A Christmas Tale:
***Coffee Messiah, ever the enterprising blogger, always has a fascinating array of drawings, posters, parchments and poetry feature in an engagingly abstract format at his place of ‘beans and dreams.’ Check it out:
***Jack of All Trades Kevin J. Olson wishes his fellow bloggers a Happy New year, and prepares for another year of superb action at Hugo Stiglitz:
***Dan Getahun has an absolutely excellent piece on at Getafilm on blogger backlash, where he talks about the situation with Avatar and related matters:
***Dorothy Porker is maintaining her stellar Awards coverage, and sh ereport son today’s National Society of Film Critics Awards, where The Hurt Locker won yet again.
***Exquisite writer Marilyn Ferdinand has what appears to be another on eof her reviewing gems up at Ferdy on Films with Robert Altman’s Gosford Park:
***The Film Doctor has an outstanding review up of Reitman’s Up in the Air at his place:
***R. D. Finch, ever reliable and brilliant, has what appears to be a great essay up at The Movie Projector on Part 4 of Hollywood’s ‘Second Greatest Year’, 1962:
***At Movie Zeal, Luke Harrington has a most interesting post up on the Ten Best versions of Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, which I’ve already read:
***Ha! Wouldn’t you know it? Kaleem Hasan has a post up at his place on a press release that Cuba Gooding will play the lead in a ‘Tiger Woods’ biopic!:
***Our Canadian friend J. D. at Radiator Heaven, has a MOST interesting post up on the Best Scores of films of the new millenium. I’ve already added my two cents:
***Tony Dayoub is examining the Best Films of 2003 at Cinema Viewfinder:
***As always Jason Bellamy look shard at a recent release, and it’s resulted in an excellent essay on Reitman’s Up in the Air ay “The Cooler”:
***Rick Olson has a stellar assessment of the blue-ray release of The Godfather Trilogy up at Coosa Creek Cinema:
***At “Out 1″ James Hanson is still headlighting that awesome interview with the director of “Police Adjective” at his place:
***Tony is highlighting his personal accomplishment post:
Again, have a wonderful 2010 everyone!!!!
Sam,
I want to thank you for this Monday Morning Diary column in general. This is one column that helps me to get a heads-up on the latest releases – the ones to look out for and the ones to trash. I landed at WitD a couple of months ago and this period has been the most “happening” in terms of film talk, thanks to all those great discussions here. This year is going to be even greater.
Always appreciated. And a very happy new year to you and your family. Hope you all have a healthy and prosperous year ahead.
Cheers!
Thanks so much JAFB! Meeting you has been a major highlight of 2009, and here’s to another year of splendid cinematic enrichment!
Such kinds words as always, Sam…and thanks of course for the DVD’s you sent! It really made my weekend.
Here’s a nice little wrap-up of the other films I took in this weekend:
http://davethenovelist.wordpress.com/2010/01/03/up-up-and-away/
For those in the Philly area…I also checked out the new Parx Casino…and it’s a bust (though still a good time out) though it will be interesting to see the renovations they do to the now separate race track facilities at Philly Park. I think I’ll stick to AC, though.
I’m also intrigued, Sam, by your reaction to THE LOVELY BONES, I might have to give it a chance now.
I hope to be announcing THE DAVIES on Tuesday…and then time for a blogging break.
Looking forward to your Davies!
David, I’m not sure how you’ll react to THE LOVELY BONES, but I do feel it’s a far better film than the dire evaluations it has received by many.
Thanks for that info on the Parx Casino and I’ll sure be over at The Schleicher Spin today!
Thank you again for the mention, Sam. It is most kind.
I second the recommendation of the top ten list at theseventhart.info. Excellent.
Happy New Year everybody!
Thanks to you Stephen! Yes, JAFB’s list was great, as was your own review of AVATAR at “Checking My Sausages.”
Happy New Year’s!
Sam, you’ve posted the Psycho link twice – once instead of the link to the goodfellas blog.
Thanks for the heads-up Stephen! I just corrected it.
Sam: Thank you for the kind words and I enjoyed your thoughts on Peter Jackson’s new film. It seems to be getting savaged by critics in general so I am intrigued by your take. Have you seen HEAVENLY CREATURES? And if so, how does it compare to this new film?
Oh yes, J.D., I’ve seen HEAVENLY CREATURES several times, and there are some stylistic similarities. I rate the earlier film higher, but this new effort deserved a better fate!
Thanks for stopping by as always.
Happy New Year to all. Let’s hope for a 2010 of contentment.
I was hedging on seeing ‘The Lovely Bones’ as I’ve read as J.D. has, a lot of negative criticism. But there were a few good notices too. I think Jackson has been in trouble with the critics since ‘King Kong.’ ‘It’s Complicated’ seems to be harmless fun, and it’s playing in our parts. Look forward to you ten-best of the year Sam!
How about those Jets? Amazing.
Frank, as I just wrote in my own post, I wouldn’t be all that confident on the Jets winning a second time. I think Cinncinnati purposely laid down.
Let’s see what you think on the Jackson Frank. I can’t be sure how you will react.
I agree with Joe, that Jets fans better not be too confident. Dave Hicks’s Bengals are this year’s Cinderella team, and one meaningless (for them) loss when they didn’t play all their starters can be set aside. It should be quite a game though.
A Happy New Year to you Sam and everyone at WitD and thanks again for the mention. Sam, I am glad you like “It’s Complicated” which of course there was not complicated about, a light fun film with some good laughs and fine performances. You know what you’re getting when you go to a Nancy Myers films and should not expect more to be more than entertained.
I saw “Avatar” (****1/2) on New Year’s Day and was pleasantly surprised at how terrific it really was, always having trepidations about Cameron. The characters may have been a bit caricaturist but this was a really fun film with great special effects. I also saw “Brothers” (***1/2) which I thought was very good. Sheridan did a nice job and the acting was fine. A serious film was a nice change of pace from most of the holiday fluff. Predictably, the theater was almost empty. Finally, I also saw Sherlock Holmes (***) which I ultimately have mixed feelings about. Some things I think they got right. I haven’t read Conan Doyle’s work in many years but I believe the overall character of Holmes was done well, Holmes was boxer, or at Conan Doyle alludes to his abilities and Holmes is definitely a bit scruffier here. Of course, his deductive reasoning and quick wit are there. What I found annoying was the bits of James Bond superhero stuff that was thrown in, and BTW, maybe I missed it but where was there any mention of drug addiction? Holmes was known to dabble. Downey Jr. and Law were fine (Jude’s Watson is certainly less the buffoon than Nigel Bruce’s Watson), they had a nice rapport between each other and some good lines.
At home, I watched Woody Allen’s “Manhattan Murder Mystery,” (***1/2) light, but it is actually one of my favorite Allen films. Finally I watched “The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes” (***1/2) last night. While Rathbone’s Holmes may be less the physical type, he does fight with Moriarty at the end, I always liked Basil’s version of Holmes though in reality he may be less faithful to the original character that Downey’s
John:
It’s like you got the bad taste out of your mouth with that viewing of the Rathbone Holmes, but that’s always a winner no matter how many times you see it, though I will say it’s not my absolute favorite in that series. Well, you make some excellent points there about the new Holmes, especially the unwelcome addition of the Superhero stuff. I thought Downey, particularly was fine in the role though, as you did.
There were aspects of BROTHERS I did like, and I am happy to agree with you on IT’S COMPLICATED, but you have really made my day with your response on AVATAR!!!!!!
Thanks, Sam, for the link and the kind words. Happy New Year! I will begin my video production class today (with daily blog updates).
I will be checking for those updates Film Dr. Happy New Year’s my friend!
It saw pictures of the Jets fans in the Meadowlands Stadium parking lot barbequing in the frigid weather. You wouldn’t catch me doing that. It may be a completely different game next week in Cinncinnati. One blowout doesn’t carry over to another week, especially against the same team.
I see “Avatar” has gone over one billion in worldwide receipts. Now he’s really the King of the World.
Best Wishes to everyone for a healty and prosperous 2010.
Quite right there Joe! Even today in my school some teachers are figuring on another Jets route, telling me that the Bengals “lost their middle linebacker.” This game seems destined to be a barn-burner!
Glad to hear someone with positive thoughts on THE LOVELY BONES. Jackson rarely fucks up (well, THE FRIGHTENERS aside), and, often, bangs em over the bleachers (KING KONG is a great film if you let it take you). As for ITS COMPLICATED, I’d see it even if it got crushed by the critics. Streep is always interesting and Alec Baldwin, of recent anyway, can just walk in a room and crack me up (did anyone see his spread in GQ as one of the men of the year? Dressed up like Uncle Sam, sitting on a hotel bed with a joint in his mouth, bottle of Wild Turkey on the night stand and a black hooker laying in his lap-LOLOLOL). TCM ran a block of WC Fields films last night and I found myself wetting my pants over ITS A GIFT. Fields made many funny movies in his career but GIFT is his masterpiece. Like a shot of dry gin, his wit hits you slowly but after the first few laughs leaves you drunk in hysteria. Watching him open a can of stewed tomatoes with an ax is priceless!!!!!!!
Yep Dennis, it does seem to be the same old story with Jackson, who did at least craft one legitimate masterpiece (ROTK). I’d be very curious to know your reaction to THE LOVELY BONES. I think you’ll like it with some reservations, but we’ll see…..
I’ll see “Lovely Bones” when it’s out in wide release, but I’ve got a bad feeling about it. Jackson certainly has screwed up in the past (The 2005 “King Kong” is a great film? I almost double-took hard enough to give myself whiplash) and the news that he cut out the full extent of Susie Salmon’s death is a very bad sign, indeed. I just can’t stress enough how much of a disservice that does to the story.
Hah, Sam. I don’t think my Top 10 is going to be very “elaborate” this year. I’m feeling a bare bones, no nonsense, no justifications, no apologies approach is in order this time around.
It looks like we largely agree on the underrating of Lovely Bones though I was a little more troubled by its inconsistencies. Interestingly, the special effects didn’t bother me. I thought they were pretty restrained and used to forward the story more than to simply show off.
I’m not sure why the movie is getting clobbered by critics so badly… your sense that it’s a piling on of Peter Jackson I think is sound. I also think that the Lord of the Rings crowd who are normally attracted to Jackson were put off by the swoony teen girl focus. Plus it suffered by being lumped in as an awards contender.
I can’t compare it to the book since I haven’t read it.
Excellent points Craig on THE LOVELY BONES and on the expectations regarding Peter Jackson. Yeah, we seem to be generally of the same frame of mind, even if I was more positive. There were some strang eimages, and teh pacing was rather erratic, but the characters and situations were fully drawn, and the poignacy quite compelling.
I am looking forward to seeing your Top Ten in print! Looks like I have settles on 12, with a three-way 10th place tie. I’ll have my presentation up late tonight.
It was a lazy weekend for me, given New Year and all. I’d taken leave on 31st, so had 4 days off on the trot. Consequently, had a tough time today at workplace trying to stay awake
Anyway, managed to watch 4 very good movies in the meantine, amidst all the fun and leisure:
Morvern Callar (the review of which is now up at my blog)
The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
Wall-E (yeah, I know, I should have watched it long back)
Paromitar Ek Din (House of Memories) – a Bengali movie by Aparna Sen
Well, as you might have noted, they all belong to the timeline 2000-2009… so my self-imposed project is very much up & running
On the book’s front, I’ve started reading the book Mystic River by Dennis Lehane. As the name suggests, the terrific movie by Clint Eastwood, another strong contender for the decade’s best movie, was based on it. Have read only a few pages, but already I’ve started to like the author’s narrative style.
Shubhajit: Glad you were able to take a break! I will definitely be checking out that review posted at Cinemascope, and I would love to see reviews up of WALL-E and THE ASSASSINATION OF JESSE JAMES. I haven’t read MYSTIC RIVER Shaubhajit, even though I did actually start it, but the film of course is Lehane’s best work to be filmed. Great that the project is up and running!
Thanks as always for the much-valued weekly roundup!
Sam, you have an ally with Jackson’s new movie. Both Sue and I had read Alice Sebold’s novel, and we were moved. I don’t at all think the ending was any kind of a sellout, but a natural resolution. In addition to Ms. Ronan, I would say Stanley Tucci was most impressive as the psychotic killer. I can’t see how anything watching this can’t be affected. It might be Sue’s favorite film of the year.
I hope the new year brings you the personal happiness that eluded you in 2009. You deserve it.
Peter, I would love to talk to you about THE LOVELY BONES when I see you. Tell Sue I am delighted at her reaction. It wasn’t a perfect film, and as others point out there were some issues, but for the most part I was pleasantly surprised. Thank you Sir!
Thanks as always for the support, Sam, and Happy New Year! I was away for a good chunk of the holidays but am back and trying to ease into the work/blogging life once again. I haven’t yet put anything down on Avatar because I’d like to see it in 3D, but that backlash post was just a carryover because of the buzz I’d been hearing around Christmas. If people don’t like Avatar that’s fine, but I wish more of the discussions were about the film than about whether it deserves awards. Hard to separate, but not impossible.
Glad you ar eback Dan, I did notice you were away. But we all need breaks, and this is the right time.
Like just about everyone else, I saw some minor issue in AVATAR, but I’m b edarned if I’ll let them interfere with the spiritual experienced I felt, especially as such instances are so rare these days. I am expecting the backlash to mainly center around the finatial success, much as that came into play with THE DARK KNIGHT. I agree with you that the awards discussion here is taking away from the more important matter of the film’s artistry.
Sam – Thanks for the shout out. As you know, my week has pretty much been recovering from the minor outpatient surgery I had. It wasn’t anything serious, but the stitches are enough of an irritant to make certain things a pain. I’ve still been making my way through noirs in preparation of the countdown. I’ve also been reading quite a bit, finishing “Crucible of War” and also getting completely through Nathaniel Philbrick’s “Mayflower,” which was outstanding as well. For whatever reason I’ve been really into reading a lot of colonial-era history. I just started “Champlain’s Dream” by David Hackett Fischer. I’m only about 50 pages in, but Fischer is possibly the best popular historian of that era, so it should be another great one.
The colonial era history appeals to me as well Dave! I am sure you’ve read McCullough’s JOHN ADAMS, no? Both the Fisher and Philbrook books sound most interesting, and I’ll have fun now researching them. We’ve already discussed CRUCIBLE, which I’m sure now that you’ve finished, you rate highly. Dave, you are a history major, right?
I am relieved that everything went well with the outpatient procedure, and that all will be back to normal with you, my very good friend. I am looking ahead to that noir countdown of next week. Thanks as always for your excellent weekly round-up.
Wait a second — no friendly wager between the two of you for next weeks Wild Card game? Perhaps the loser has to write a review of THE TOOTH FAIRY or something?
Ah Troy, I haven’t the heart to go at Dave over his Bengals, who he has supported so passionately all year, while the Jets, who are my favorite football team, were seemingly out of it until the shocking win over Indianapolis. I think Cincy will win, but there are others who believe the Jets rout spells doom for the Bengals.
Well, it was a busy week at the Olson household, with football (my Oregon Ducks fell in the Rose Bowl to “the” OSU. The Buckeyes outplayed the Ducks, pure and simple, so there really wasn’t too bitter of an aftertaste in the loss) and shopping and whatnot, but I still managed to squeeze some movies in.
THE THICK OF IT — Watched the entirety of this series and absolutely loved it. Smart and witty in that way only the British can pull off and full of swearing linguistics that find a way to amaze. Malcolm Tucker is the greatest character created in the last half of this decade and I hope that the show has a fourth series (things pointed to yes, but perhaps one of the UK guys could chime in with more knowledge). Rating a TV show is entirely different than a movie, but under any criteria I’d give this *****
IN THE LOOP — I mentioned this last week, I think (watched it last Sunday night), but in light of watching THE THICK OF IT, my appreciation for it grew a bit more. ****1/2
ADVENTURELAND — I’ve seen a lot of admiration for this throughout the blogosphere, but I think I’m missing what those who enjoyed it so much were finding. These kind of movies always fail with me and perhaps that’s due to the fact that I’ve never had that yearning need to find love, as I found my soulmate in high school and never looked back, avoiding many of the identity issues these movies bring up. Anyways, the main issue I had with this movie is that giant black hole of non-charisma, Kristen Stewart. Why all of these guys are attracted to her boggles my mind as I can’t quite see what she offers up in terms of, well, anything. ***
DUPLICITY — I see what Tony Gilroy was going for here, but he tried to play the movie as a straight spy movie and as a tongue-in-cheek comedy and misfired on both accounts. Julia Roberts was as miscast as could be in her role. **
THE LADY EVE — In lieu of a Lubitsch to watch, I went with a Sturges and I’m beginning to see where my preferences lie. This film is pushed to the higher echelons due to two fantastic lead performances. Barbara Stanwyck is pitch perfect in her lead role and elevates the movie on her sheer charisma and sultriness. Henry Fonda plays the dopey straight-guy with aplomb. And now I see why I prefer the Lubitsch style, as he uses a certain wittiness in place of what Sturges does here, where the scenarios in the film are of a more screwball variety (although one can’t deny Sturges ability with dialogue — he’s just as good as those Lubitsch employs in that area). Still, Stanwyck and Fonda play beautifully off each other and there’s no denying a classic, and by the end of the film, I was sold on the fact that this is one. ****1/2
Troy, my condolences on the Ducks. I know you really put your passion into them for weeks. They still went a long way, but I understand that almost is almost never enough in any sport. Perhaps next year will be theirs.
THE LADY EVE is a masterpiece for sure, Troy, and your lofty rating here is well deserved for certain. Yes, I agree that Sturges is in a class with Lubitsch, and the performances here, especially by Ms. Stanwyck were extraordinary. This film was clearly your highlight.
You are dead-on with DUPLICITY, IMO, which is your typical multiplex fodder. I liked ADVENTURELAND more than you, but it is hardly a Ten Best of the Year kind of film, a position that som eother bloggers, as you’ve noted, have taken. It made me think of similar situations from my own childhood, and of the feelings I had at the time. But again, this is one of those films that is alight, and without a personal connection, I can see it all coming off as superfluous.
Finally, Troy, we both watch THE THICK OF IT at the same time!!!! Incredible. And I also gave it the highest rating. IN THE LOOP, which is top-rank, admittedly fell a bit short of TTOI, as it basically emulated it. TTOT was able to do a lot more.
Fantastic round-up as usual, and very much appreciated Troy.
I added a few words to my thoughts on ADVENTURELAND at my blog. I think I came across as somehow being above such a film, which isn’t what I meant at all. I do think that Greg Mottola did a good job of capturing a certain nostalgic feeling of being young, being in love, and of summertime.
I’m burning copies of THE THICK OF IT for my brother, as I’m sure he’ll love it. We’ve already gotten to using some of the particularly British terms from it, such as “Ohio State sure gave the Ducks a good bollocking in the Rose Bowl”
Well, where do I begin? In total agreement with Sam on all three films (since I saw two of three with him and Lu), but…..had a major problem with the lack of continuity between the novel and the film of THE LOVELY BONES. The film omits the fact that ‘Susie’ is brutally raped by ‘Mr. Harvey’ before being killed. The book describes this event in vivid detail, and like the murder, the scene is totally left out of the movie. Looking into other blogs and interviews with Jackson, he notes that “he wanted to make a movie so that it would be watchable by his 13 year-old daughter.” That’s all fine and well, but in my opinion rape was never even alluded to in the film. Guess I wouldn’t be so critical if I didn’t read the book. THE MESSENGER was 20 minutes too long….it got a bit too wordy in the end and that’s a big no-no for me. As for IT’S COMPLICATED, all praise for Streep (actually thought her role here was better than in ‘Julia & Julie’), but what about the stellar, subtle performance of Steve Martin? And Alec Baldwin? After Lucille and I chatted with him on Saturday night (yup, we ran into him at the University Diner in NYC), we both came to the conclusion that he looks 10 years younger and 20 pounds thinner in person….and a really nice guy.
I can understand why Jackson would want to avoid the scene, as rape is one of the most difficult things to put on film without exploiting it for any number of reasons. But you’re right, it’s a crucial component to the book, one that the author, Alice Sebold, admitted was driven by her own experience of being sexually victimized in college(she wrote about it previously in a memoir, “Lucky”). To me, the book didn’t really work as the familial aftermath of a girl’s murder or a vision of the afterlife, but it did work somewhat as an emotional, fantastical testimonial of a girl’s recovery from being violated.
I haven’t seen the movie yet, so I really shouldn’t say anything at all, but for that aspect of the story to be removed just sounds wrong. As uncomfrotable as it is, Susie Salmon’s rape is just as important as her murder, perhaps even moreso, because there are plenty of living survivors of sexual violence who can relate to that part of her experience. Without it, all you really have is a hybrid of “What Dreams May Come” and “The Odd Sea”. It’s genuinely disappointing to hear that Jackson is shying away from a difficult subject like this, especially seeing as he was able to cover similarly uncomfortable territory in his very best film, “Heavenly Creatures”.
Wow Bob (Clark), that’s a brilliant response! Awesome.
Great to have you at this thread Bob!!!
Well, I will defer to you for the narrative inconsistencies, as I haven’t read the book as you have. I never knew that Jackson altered it for that reason. Interesting.
I didn’t want to flaunt that meeting with Balwin here at the site, or people might think I was enagaing in self-promotion again. Ha! But remember, while you and Lucille spoke to Baldwin, I froze my ass off in front of the Cinema Village for 25 minutes, and practically got frostbite!
Hi! Sam Juliano, Allan, and WitD readers,
Sam Juliano, as usual thank for plugging “me” blog… and It’s seems as if you watched three interesting films too…starting with
It’s Complicated and to think that out there in the blogosphere…there is “bloggo talk” that the film It’s Complicated will get several nods (Oscar@ nominations)…
…Sam Juliano, What do you think?
The Lovely Bones andThe Messenger…both of these films went right under “me” radar screen.
I think that I better get in step and try to keep up with the current releases. Because I spend a great deal of time painting and reading.
Here goes a recap of my Weekly roundup
Films That I Plan To Watch (for the first time) or Rewatched……
In The Valley of Elah,
Edvard Munch, (Just arrived)
Paris, Texas,
WB Film Noir Boxset Volume four,
The Armored Car Robbery,
Cry Danger and
Sin City.
Here goes a few websites that I have been checking out as I prepare for Allan’s Countdown…by the way, don’t forget TCM Silent(s) Sunday(s) too!
“Silent-Movies”
“SilentEra”
“Welcome To Silent Movies”
Films That I Purchased or Plan to Purchase later This Week:
Highway 301 and City of Conquest…(Sam Juliano, I ‘am in the process of sending these two films to you…)
Literature: That I Added To The Bookshelf:
Skimming Lee Horsley’s book The Noir Thriller (Crime Files) by Lee Horsley…
(By the way, Tony, have you read Lee Horsley’s book The Noir Thriller?)
You can visit author Lee Horsley’s (Her website has been upgraded by Kate Horsley…) and Kate Horsley’s website is linked here too…Lee Horsley’s CrimeCulture
…and I’am also reading The Man Who Loved Books Too Much: The True Story of a Thief, a Detective, and a World of Literary Obsession.
Books added to my (blog) bookshelf…
Five books by author Katherine Weber…
True Confections, Triangle, The Little Women,
Objects in Mirror Are Closer Than They Appear and The Music Lesson.
Theatre, No comment…
Music…No Comment
Food … Hmmm…a very light touch… Sports… No Comment…
Politics…No Comment…
Sam Juliano, I guess that about wrap up my week in review…for this week.
Take care!
DeeDee
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What irony.
This is one of the greatest submissions ever made at this weekly thread by perhaps its most relentless and effervescent adherent, and I let the comment go for several days. My deepest apologies Dee Dee; I never got back here, as my focus was rivited to all that list-making. You are the last performance who deserves that kind of shabby treatment. I am so so sorry about this.
Anyway, that Volume 4 of the Warner Film Noir is always great to re-visit, and I know there are other sets on the horizon as we’ve discussed. EDVARD MUNCH is a flat-out masterpiece, and I really would like to know how this one goes over with you, and of course PARIS TEXAS is one that has many passionate followers, including our dear David Schleicher, whose favorite-film-of-its-decade this is. Our close friend Tony d’Ambra is a fervant admirer of IN THE VALLEY OF ELAH, and as you know he oince penned an excellent consideration of it here at WitD:
http://wondersinthedark.wordpress.com/2008/10/15/thoughts-on-in-the-valley-of-elah/
As far as THE LOVELY BONES and THE MESSENGER, I thought both are well worth seeing, and I may have something on the former later this week, if you know what I mean. So hopefully, you will see this film soon.
The silent film links are excellent additions here, and hopefully those who are following the countdown will take full advantage, especially since this period is most people’s “cinematic blind spot.”
Thatnks for Lee Horsely’s link there, and it appears that this week you’v eaggressively secure some seemingly vital titles in your signnature genre. Horsely’s book looks terrific, but so does teh group penned by Katherine Webber. Like you I like to acquire things first and then figure out a way to negotiate time to get through everything.
To say that I’m a hopeless collector is quite the understaatement. Ha!
In answer to your query about IT’S COMPLICATED, Dee Dee, I am not sure if any Oscar nods are in the cards, as Ms. Streep will probably b epreferred in JULIE AND JULIA. But as you probably have noticed she is up for a Golden Glove for this film, as well as another nomination for JULIE. So basically she is running against herself.
Again, thanks for this ultra-enthusiastic submission, with fully deserved a quicker response. I assure you this won’t happen again.
Broadway Bob said,”what about the stellar, subtle performance of Steve Martin? And Alec Baldwin? After Lucille and I chatted with him on Saturday night (yup, we ran into him at the University Diner in NYC), we both came to the conclusion that he looks 10 years younger and 20 pounds thinner in person….and a really nice guy.”
Wow…Broadway Bob and Mrs. Lucille Juliano, were very fortunate to meet actor Alec Baldwin. By the way, Sam Juliano, Tony and C.M.,(and a fellow blogger whom shall remain…nameless…Just think Musketeers!)
I’am in the process of sending all
threeof you packages…I bet all four of you are thinking…finally!Just kidding!
DeeDee
Dee Dee:
I lost out on the opportunity to meet Mr. Baldwin myself, as I walked a block and a half away to buy a bottle of pomegranate juice. When I got back to the Cinema Village both Lucille and Bob were nowhere to be seen. I waited in front of the theatre for almost a half hour before they appeared smiling, but I was practically frost-bitten at that point!!! Ha! Bob supposedly told Baldwin “It’s Complicated” when the actor kept getting the wrong condiment from the waiter! Baldwin smiled from ear to ear when he heard that.
Thanks very much for the shipment!
Thanks very much for the plug, Sam – I have now updated with a post on Wellman’s ‘Night Nurse’ (1931) which I liked a lot. Thanks also, as ever, for all the great links to follow up. I’ve been looking forward to ‘It’s Complicated’ but will bear in mind your warnings not to expect too much.
Haven’t had a chance to watch much this week, but I did finally get round to seeing ‘A Christmas Carol 3-D’. I was impressed by how Gothic much of it looks and how reminiscent of the original illustrations, how much of the original language was kept, and also by Carrey’s ability to create apparently endless different voices. On the minus side, I felt that some of the 3-D was rather gimmicky, and I failed to understand why in one bit Scrooge suddenly became tiny and started talking in a voice apparently borrowed from Alvin and the Chipmunks! But, speaking as a Dickens nut who tends to tear her hair out over cartoon versions, etc, I did quite enjoy this take, and my 15-year-old son liked it too.
Ah, Judy, the affinity for Dickens is shared on this end as well, and I do agree with what you say there about A CHRISTMAS CAROL’s attributes. I think some people were too busy comparing it with past versions, which of course would diminished the considerable entertainment value on display here. I agree that typically the 3D was gimmicky, and only when I recently saw AVATAR is this fashionj did I really appreciate this visual enhancement. My kids seemed to like the Carey movie too.
The NIGHT NURSE piece is excellent, and don’t get me wrong on IT’S COMPLICATED. It’s a fine piece of entertainment, and doesn’t aspire to anything deep. But for what it is, it does deliver. Some critics are even going further, which I can well understand. I bet you’ll like it!
My deepest apologies for this late response. As I said to Dee Dee (above) I completely lost track of this post, which is my absolute favorite. But list-making held me captive!
Absolutely nothing to apologise for, Sam – I enjoyed results of the list-making, and I find it amazing that you manage to do and see so much! I will hope to see ‘It’s Complicated’ but won’t expect too much. Thanks again!
Hi! Sam Juliano, Allan and most definitely, Wonders in the Dark readers…
Attention:Please proceed with “caution” after you
enter the Silent-Movies website…because if you attempt to download any of the shorts(files)…your computer may freeze!
Please note: This file is 127.4 Megabytes! Please don’t even try to download this file unless you have a high speed connection.
My suggestion…just stick to reading the articles!…I’am warning you…Please! don’t download those files, but if you ignore
me and download those files and your computer…freeze just turn your powerstrip off and logon again. 
DeeDee
Thanks for the wearning Dee Dee!
I will indeed proceed with caution, although each PC may react differently. But I will be careful with the navigation.
Hi! Sam Juliano,
LOL!!!!
*No worries*…because I know how busy you are living your everyday life…with your family, friends, work, blogging and sleep…etc, etc, etc.
Take care!
Nice responses!
Thanks,
DeeDee
Sam here’s hoping for a smooth easy in and out on your upcoming procedure. We’ll all be thinking about you.
On the movie front this week, it was rather slow, catching up on a couple of films on my DVR. First up was “Women’s Prison” with Ida Lupino, a film more interesting for its camp value than anything else. Also watched “All Through the Night”, with Bogart, a 1941 Hollywood propaganda film where Bogie, Frank McHugh and others take on Conrad Veidt, Peter Lorre and the Nazis.
My wife and I saw a Bob Newhart concert yesterday (Geezer standup) and he was still good. I always loved his two classic sit-coms and was a fan of his album’s (“Button Down Mind of Bob Newhart” he mentioned will be 50 years old in February.) AT 80 years old, he still put on a good show.
I am listening on CD while driving to work to Joe Torre’s book, “The Yankee Years.” Also just started reading a novel (Stuff to Spy For) by Don Bruns, a Florida based writer, I ended up talking to him on Saturday for about 15 minutes at a Barnes and Noble book signing.
I hope to get to “Downfall” this week, along with some other films but life keeps getting in the way (ha!). Thanks again for the mention!