Friday 1 September 2017

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 1992: David Bowie, Harry Dean Stanton, Ray Wise and Frank Silva in Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me

David Bowie did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Phillip Jeffries in Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me.

Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me acts a prequel to the original Twin Peaks series but also really a bridge, 25 years before, for the third season of the show. In serving that purpose it is extremely effective as an episode in the series, though an outsider may be a bit lost if they are viewing it all on its own.

David Bowie is actually only in about two minutes of the film, if even that, in his role as missing F.B.I agent Phillip Jeffries. He appears mysteriously out of an elevator in F.B.I headquarters, rambles seemingly incoherently then disappears without trace, yet leaves an ever lasting memory in this time. Of course credit must go to David Lynch's brilliant set up of the scene, but this scene would not be what it is without David Bowie. Bowie is of course known best as his work as a musician however onscreen he has a singular screen presence, an almost otherworldly quality. This is most useful in this role as one sits up and takes notice the moment Bowie ever enters the frame, Bowie's mere existence amplifies the already enigmatic nature of scene. It is not merely about Bowie being so fascinating in it of itself, but as his performance as agent Jeffries. The beginning of which is Bowie portrayal of the state of Jeffries which seems to be a of a man who sees far beyond one's normal existential crisis. The very particular emotional distress Bowie exudes isn't of just a time traveler, but of a man who has been through hell learned terrible secrets behind his whole universe and is here to tell the story. There is a painful urgency yet confusion that Bowie brings in every bit of that strange anguish he delivers in the role. As he makes Jeffries this man barely in his place with only this minor grip on reality trying to explain his story before disappearing while we witness a blood curdling scream by Bowie. To make everything all the more fascinating though Bowie uses a southern American accent in the role, which is some strange masterstroke. This only makes the already effortlessly intriguing Bowie all the more captivating. Bowie in just a couple of minutes, again if that, leaves an undeniable impression, creating one of the most enthralling figures in the grand Twin Peaks universe.
Harry Dean Stanton did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Carl Rodd in Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me.

Speaking of effortlessly compelling actors look no further than Harry Dean Stanton, who can do more in a couple seconds than some actors can do in 3 hours. Stanton though is rather different than Bowie in terms of their exact presence, in fact sort of the opposite in that Harry Dean Stanton certainly always feels like a man of our world, which is part of his great appeal. Stanton appears as the trailer park owner that housed a murder victim whose death F.B.I agents Chester Desmond (Chris Isaak) and Sam Stanley (Kiefer Sutherland) are investigating. Stanton initially appears as a seemingly more ill-tempered sort when the agents knock on his trailer door before his normal wake time. Stanton is hilarious in his initial grumpiness though this does aside as he reveals Rodd to be a nice enough guy who just doesn't like being woken up early. Stanton is very entertaining though particularly in contrast to the straight laced F.B.I. agents. Stanton just has a way with any line quite honestly and couldn't be a better fit for David Lynch's unique style of comedy. Stanton finds the appropriate tone for sort of Americana humor found with Lynch, as Stanton makes it quite funny in that particular style, yet he also makes it quite earnest. Stanton finds the humor in just his every little moment, such as commenting on his coffee, or his straight forward confusion at what the F.B.I are doing exactly. Now Stanton just being this friendly trailer park owner, would be enough. There is more though as the seriousness of the situation does arrive, and in an instance Stanton naturally reveals another side to Rodd as the investigate the murder victim's trailer. Stanton in his single line of "See, I've already gone places... I just wanna stay where I am" alludes so haunting to the man's own history in his unknown but there is also something poignant in the second half of a man just wanting the stability in his quiet life. As usual Stanton makes quite an impression in just a few minutes as Carl Rodd giving a great introduction to a character, which he thankfully was allowed to reprise in the show's third season.
Ray Wise did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Leland Palmer in Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me.

It is also worth noting that Ray Wise was not Emmy nominated for his work in the series leaving one of the all time great television performances unrecognized. Ray Wise's work actually there shows perhaps the wide gap there was between film/television, something that Twin Peaks, very much ahead of its time, was trying to reduce. I mention that as it is likely if someone gave that same performance today they likely would break out across the board, or least for a little while. Of course this is also trying to understand Wise's baffling low key career in general as I've found him to be an incredibly dynamic performer no matter where he turns up. Anyway Wise's reprise begins when he appears after the elongated prologue featuring Bowie, Stanton and the F.B.I. agents, as the film jumps to the titular town to focus on the final days of murder victim Laura Palmer (Sheryl Lee). Wise obviously playing her father Leland, who in the series we eventually discovered, spoilers, that he was her murderer. Of course it's not so simple and where in the series we saw the phases of the man from a certain distance, here we are given the intimate detail of Leland's broken self. The first side we see of him Wise is terrifying as Leland demands Laura wash her fingernails before dinner. Wise in the moment is of this horribly abusive father. Wise persecutes her though in this horribly controlling way as he does it as though he is teaching her lesson, with his "father knows best" delivery that makes the moment all the more chilling.

A moment later though Wise instantly switches to a heartbreaking tone in the purity of the despondence that he shows in Leland as he profusely apologizes to his daughter for his earlier demands. Wise in this moment is completely earnest and sympathetic in his portrayal of such a tender sorrow as Leland attempts to explain himself. This is extremely inconsistent from the previous scene yet this is not a flaw in Wise's performance but rather the truth of it. Wise in that moment shows that being absolutely the purest form of the true Leland Palmer, which is as this loving father. A loving father that Wise does bring such a terrible shattered warmth, as he shows a man attempting to genuinely care for his daughter. Wise though makes every moment of it seem as though he on this horrible edge, as he suggests Leland is always a second from a complete emotional breakdown. Wise is harrowing to watch though as he does not make this in any way false, despite what we have previously seen, as he presents something being deeply wrong in this yet there is an absolute truth in his guilt. Wise in doing this though realizes the grave predicament that Leland Palmer exists in.

The predicament is not that Leland is struggling with his worst impulses but rather that he is literally possessed by an evil spirit that thrives on the suffering of humans. Although the idea of the demon inside can be taken as a metaphor, but in this case it's not. Now the literal in itself is potentially a ridiculous concept but it never feels as such due to the brilliance of how Wise portrays it, as well as another reason which I will get to soon. Wise though creates this state of the man which he does not show as a Jekyll and Hyde but rather something much worse. Wise depicts it as a man essentially being torn from within as his own self is constantly corrupted, which he is occasionally released from yet he can do nothing about it. A genius element in Wise's work in that, even though it's not even required, he actually in many ways allows for both the literal and metaphorical interpretation of Leland's mind. Wise's work is outstanding as he manages to find all that makes of the man without losing control of it. He realizes so effectively this confusion in himself in every moment as in his physical manner there is always this horrid pressure to this as a man who seems never at ease whether he is giving into his shame, to the monster within, or if even he's not directly either. Wise portrays a man who is simply wrong from the inside out yet makes sense of this insane idea. Wise is downright amazing in every scene as he brings the warmth in portraying Leland's love for his daughter, but he is also terrifying as he brings about her own corruption and death. Wise's work in the television series was great, and this performance is an incredible companion of that work as he reveals the internalized horror of the man.
Frank Silva did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Bob in Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me.

The true source of the evil in the story though is in the spirit Bob played by Frank Silva. Silva's original appearance coming from a sudden bit of inspiration by David Lynch leading Silva, originally a set dresser, becoming one of the most iconic characters from the series. It's a fascinating thing as the image of Silva taken out of context perhaps shouldn't be terrifying, he's just a guy with long hair in denim, yet he's one of the most horrifying figures in any fictional work. Silva's performance is essentially a silent one except for some grunts, which should not be hand waved as his delivery of them as human animal are truly disturbing. Silva embodies this concept of this evil spirit, which is that of seemingly man's worse inclination and desires personified. Silva does not need to speak in order to strike fear. Silva's performance is almost entirely physical and as that it is something unforgettable. Silva's very being is of an urge, a terrible urge, to do whatever creates suffering. There is this lust, yet this hate, there is even a strange sorrow, yet joy all in Silva's performance that is pure unadulterated emotion. A single part of what Silva's doing could be even empathetic in someway yet his combination of all of it, all at once, in this way creates this figure that is one of the most unnerving as Silva is otherworldly yet entirely human all at once. He is a boogeyman that strikes that particular almost existential fear yet with a grounding that carries a most visceral sting. Although of David Lynch's work amplifies all of this, yet there is a reason that the mere sight of Bob behind a dresser is one of the frightening scenes in any film, as Silva gives the boogeyman a face, a most terrifying one.

110 comments:

Calvin Law said...

I'll definitely check out the series soon. Skipped what you wrote on Wise because I've been warned but great reviews. It's a shame Bowie never got to work with Lynch more, I could easily see him in Wild at Heart.

Omar Franini said...

Louis: Ratings and Toughts on the rest of the cast?

Anonymous said...

Louis: Is there a Hackman performance you think you could upgrade?

Calvin Law said...

I just finished 'Chicanery' from BCS and gosh, Michael McKean's acting in that is downright amazing. How he hasn't gotten an Emmy nod baffles me completely.

Calvin Law said...

Louis: can you put David Tennant in the rankings for Goblet of Fire? I just came across his scenes and I'd forgotten how absolutely dreadful he was.

Giuseppe Fadda said...

Wise really should have been nominated for an Emmy for his work in the series. He was phenomenal and my MVP along with McLachlan and Sherilyn Fenn.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Could I have thoughts on your top ten oscar speeches.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Your thoughts on 'Smile' by Charlie Chaplin.

Luke Higham said...

Warner Bros. want DiCaprio for Joker.

For goodness sake, let the character rest. :(

Michael Patison said...

I totally agree on Wise being totally snubbed by the Emmys. It is nice, however, that the Emmys didn't necessarily nominate anybody from the show undeservedly (though Piper Laurie should never have received a Lead nomination). MacLachlan was Lynch's go-to at the time, but it wasn't until I watched the series that I understood why. I also quite appreciate Lara Flynn Boyle and James Marshall, particularly in the 1st season. Sherilyn Fenn will always be my MVP, though (talk about a remarkably low-key career for an immensely talented performer).

Giuseppe Fadda said...

Sherilyn Feen is absolutely amazing in Twin Peaks. Such a brilliant portrayal of a truly iconic character and Audrey has such a beautiful, delicate development throughout the two seasons. I agree Laurie being nominated in the leading category is major category fraud, she's great though. Actually I'd say almost the whole cast was very good to great, although I personally disagree about Boyle and Marshall who were the weak links for me. I particularly dislike Boyle's performance as I thought she completely misunderstood the character of Donna and I found her either bland (most of the time) or downright terrible (her "femme fatale" scenes made absolutely no sense to me). Also, I have to say I kind of dislike her off-screen too for basically forbidding the romance between Cooper and Audrey, therefore causing the introduction of Billy Zane's and Heather Graham's characters which were rather poor addictions.

Anonymous said...

Luke: Given that Joker's so popular, can't see it happening sadly. :( They're basically just wasting money.

Michael Patison said...

Giuseppe:
Wow, I had totally blocked those 'femme fatale' scenes of Boyle's out. Yeah, not so great after all. I still like Marshall, though I've always been partial to brooding 16-30 year olds.

Robert MacFarlane said...

So if they had to recast every Batman villain, who would we all choose for each one? My current list:

Joker - Lakeith Stanfield
Harley Quinn - Jenny Slate
Poison Ivy - Riley Keough
Catwoman - Aubrey Plaza
Bane - Dave Bautista
Riddler - Dan Stevens
Ra's Al Ghul - Alexander Siddig
Talia Al Ghul - Sofia Boutella
Two-Face - Ryan Gosling

Luke Higham said...

Robert: Left out Penguin and Mr. Freeze.

Robert MacFarlane said...

Toby Jones for Penguin and David Morse as Mr. Freeze

Calvin Law said...

Joker: Ben Foster
Harley Quinn: Evan Rachel Wood
Poison Ivy: Keough is a perfect choice but I'll add in Rhea Seehorn as another option.
Catwoman: Sarah Gadon
Bane: Bautista is perfect.
Riddler: Steven Yeun
Ra'as Al Guhl: Benedict Wong
Talia Al Guhl: Tang Wei
Two-Face: Jimmi Simpson
Penguin: Stephen Graham
Mr Freeze: Mark Strong

Giuseppe Fadda said...

Sofia Boutella as Talia al Guhl would be something I'd really like to see. I found her surprisingly good in Atomic Blonde.

Anonymous said...

Robert: What about Black Mask and Hugo Strange?

Louis Morgan said...

Omar:

Lee - (Her performance I'd say is actually worthy to be mentioned alongside Watts in Mulholland Drive in terms how she thrives within Lynch's style so brilliantly. In fact thinking about this performance more, I am tempted to give her the win as well. It's pretty amazing actually that she was literally cast just to be a pretty yet face but it was just too good to be only that. Lee gets to expand on that singular image of Laura in this often astonishing performance. She is everything that Laura needs to be within the film which is something rather remarkable given the intensity of the extremes of her character. She is on the surface that false image of perfection of the homecoming queen who just seems to good for this earth. That smile of hers is something else entirely yet not just a pretty smile it somehow goes further. This of course hides the seemingly more down to earth girl beneath it who Lee reveals with such honesty in her more casual moments with her father, her best friend, or her secret boyfriend. There yet the other layer though of the absolutely despondent mess of a person who is fearing for her life, and suffering constant abuse that leads her to seek any sort of fulfillment in drugs and sex. Lee somehow makes this dynamic not only convincing she makes it absolutely harrowing to watch as she is everything all in this single person. As she does find really the facade of normalcy, or even more than that, along with the hidden horrible mire that makes up her life. She's most outstanding in how natural she makes every transition even in a given scene. One I especially love is her encounter with known boyfriend Bobby Briggs, where she reveals such intense bitterness in their fight, then she seemingly magically, yet somehow does it in a natural way, switches to the pure homecoming queen in an instance. She manages to do this throughout the film giving an utterly transfixing realization of Laura Palmer, that manages to make sense out of every side we heard about her in television series.)

Louis Morgan said...

Zabriskie - (An actress who anyways seems like a perfect fit for Lynch. Although perhaps slightly underused overall in this filmher effectiveness as Sarah Palmer is still noticeable as she captures her own state that is her own away from Laura and Leland. She portrays this as almost this strange witness of it that she suffers of mind even though she is never the one directly attacked. Zabriskie captures her own visceral intensity in depicting that odd trauma that may be part of her family's or it is something else entirely.)

MacLachlan - 3.5(Obviously there isn't too much of him here, but it's still nice seeing him in his finest role. MacLachlan is very mindful of consistency though as he portrays Dale, as the pilot Dale, one would assume before he opened up to the fine people of Twin Peaks. Also worth noting is in the Missing Pieces you already can see his brilliant approach to portraying doppelCooper, but I won't quite count that. MacLachlan though is terrific though still in again bringing about that particular form of intuition of Cooper's through his performance, in showing his specific fascination with everything around him particularly his dreams.)

Ferrer - 3(One can never have enough Albert as evidenced by season 3. Ferrer still gets a few of his intensely acerbic moments though, that allow him to shine for his very brief screentime.)

Ashbrook - 3.5(Ah poor dense Bobby Briggs. Ashbrook's performance, as it was in the original series, for me always successfully treads this very fine line between intense melodrama and complete absurdity. Ashbrook again manages to find that careful middle path as he is hilarious in portraying the sheer intensity of Bobby's emotional state, yet he is moving in his own way as well.)

Isaak - 3.5(A great example of Lynch's mastery with actors and casting. In that what Isaak does probably would not work for most films or roles, but it is perfect for Agent Chester Desmond. Isaak is actually bland in a certain way yet in that certain way it seems just right for the man's particularly direct M.O., modus operandi.)

Sutherland - 3.5(I wish old Sam Stanley would reappear this season as I love the cheery endearing enthusiasm Sutherland brings to the part. He's really sort of the opposite of Ferrer actually and Sutherland does wonders in just making the eagerness of the character somehow just so likable. I could have easily seen a film entirely about Desmond and Stanley to be honest.)

Lynch - 3(Lynch doing old Gordon Cole is consistently hilarious and he's hilarious again. His best work though as the character, taking him past his effectively humorous side, though would come in the revival.)

von Dohlen - 3.5(Again very moving in the role.)

Anonymous:

No I don't think so.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Only Inland Empire left to watch and I'm pretty certain Dern's getting the win.

Louis Morgan said...

Calvin:

Will do.

Luke:

Haing S. Ngor & Louise Fletcher - (Simply deeply personal and poignant speeches.)

William Hurt - ("I share this with Raul", says it all)

Jeremy Irons - (Although I might argue that he probably would have won for A Reversal of Fortune regardless, Irons recognition of Cronenberg for helping him deliver his greatest performance is something special.)

Michael Caine - (One where you might think they voted for the speech as Caine does knock this one out of the park. The admiring the other nominees can often be a stumbling point yet Caine makes that appreciation genuine with the right wit thrown in for good measure.)

Don Ameche - (Again as voting for a speech, this is a great choice. Ameche gives essentially the gravitas of this veteran actor bringing such a powerful dignity and gratitude in the moment.)

Mark Rylance - (It's hard not to like Rylance as he is such a genuine and modest fellow in any interview you see him in. I equally love some of his post-oscar interviews where he mentions Stallone so affectionately. The speech is very much the same as he seemed so eager to share in any joy, and even made quoting of the movie, which again can bit a bit pitfall completely work.)

John Wayne - (Again certainly delivers on the promise of a great speech of Wayne finally winning an Oscar. A speech for any veteran actor to aspire to, and rather moving as you can see appreciative Wayne is as well as with the moment where Wayne mentions accepting the award for Gary Cooper.)

Joe Pesci - (The best of the briefest as his reactions feels particularly genuine.)

Tommy Lee Jones - (Sums up Jones's style pretty well and in a wholly endearing way for once. From his "I'm not really bald" to his bluntly simple "thanks for the work".)

Smile - (Well can't include the lyrics in my assessment but it is such an astonishing piece as it stands on its own. It is one of the most beautiful sad songs ever written as Chaplin manages to capture this idea of a joyful melancholy. In that through the composition Chaplin is able to capture the idea of just a lightness, a bit of hope, within the somber overtures.)

Robert:

I like those choices. With Joker, I think it would be best to get a completely different type for the role, if we must have another one, rather than going for a "Heath Ledger" type that DiCaprio and Leto fall into.

A few others, with Ben Affleck Batman in mind.

Hush: Matt Damon
Scarface: John C. Reilly
Dr. Hurt: Jeffrey Dean Morgan
Mad Hatter: James McAvoy

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Do you think Hayden Christensen would still have been as bad as Anakin if the Prequels were far better written and directed.

Louis Morgan said...

No.

Luke Higham said...

He probably could've given a good performance if it were so, though Ben Foster's still the ideal choice IMO.

Anonymous said...

Louis: Who do you think could be a good Batgirl? I think Elle Fanning is the best choice. It's a shame that Jena Malone has been wasted.

Omar Franini said...

Louis:
I totally agree on Lee, i loved every single moment of her performance, what is your favorite scene from her?
What are your thoughts on the Pink Room scene?
Can i also have your thoughts and ratings on Violante Placido and Thekla Reuten in The American?

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Your top 5 scenes from Game Of Thrones: Season 7.

Robert MacFarlane said...

Matt Damon as Hush is genius.

Robert MacFarlane said...

As for other villains:

Black Mask: Walton Goggins
Ventriloquist: Stephen Tobolowsky
Hugo Strange: Bruno Gänz

Matt Mustin said...

Paddy Considine as Mr. Zsasz

Luke Higham said...

What about Mad Hatter and Red Hood.

Luke Higham said...

And Deathstroke & Solomon Grundy.

Luke Higham said...

Scarecrow.

Robert MacFarlane said...

Red Hood: Michael B. Jordan
Mad Hatter: Donald Sutherland
Scarecrow: Logan Lerman (I think the character could work as a younger university student)
Zsasz: Ed Skerin
Deathstroke: Mahershala Ali
Solomon Grundy: Ron Perlman

Matt Mustin said...

Luke: Maybe Andrew Garfield as Red Hood.

Matt Mustin said...

Although Jordan is actually perfect.

Matt Mustin said...

Also, not a villain, but Jeffrey Wright as Lucius Fox.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Your thoughts on Cuba Gooding Jr. and Halle Berry's Oscar Speeches.

Anonymous said...

Louis: your top 20 Javier Bardem and daniel craig acting moments

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: I think it would be wise to save Craig until after we get his thoughts/review for Logan Lucky.

Same goes for Bardem until at least his initial reaction to Mother!, as it could potentially be a really great performance and he only has Collateral, The Sea Inside, No Country For Old Men, Skyfall and The Counselor to choose moments from whereas the rest of his work is a 3 or lower.

Charles H said...

I think Louis could do a top 20 for Bardem. Although Mother! could call for a revised list.

Luke Higham said...

BTW, save Fassbender, Oldman and Day-Lewis until January/February. Foster might need a revision after Hostiles. And with Mikkelsen, wait until he sees Flame & Citron and Valhalla Rising since those reviews will come within the next 6-8 months.

Calvin Law said...

Matt: Wright would be a pitch perfect Lucius Fox.

Anonymous said...

Louis: your top 20 Mickey Rourke and Faye Dunaway acting moments

Anonymous said...

Louis: and your top 10 Val Kilmer and Sigourney Weaver

Psifonian said...

Oldman's getting raves out of Telluride. Glad to hear the dodginess of the trailer isn't in the finished product.

Robert MacFarlane said...

I think Oldman is our winner.

JackiBoyz said...

Honestly I think most people arent really that bovered who wins necessarily, its who gets nominated that matters most.

Calvin Law said...

Louis: thoughts on the Better Call Saul episodes 'Chicanery', 'Fall' and 'Lantern'.

Luke Higham said...

If nominated, win or lose, don't expect Oldman to attend the Golden Globes next year.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Your top 15 Han Zimmer tracks.

Anonymous said...

Louis: Your thoughts on Dee Bradley Baker's Ra's Al Ghul, Tara Strong's Harley Quinn and Rick Wasserman's Clayface voices in Arkham City.

Robert MacFarlane said...

Saw Wind River. Renner was absolutely amazing. The movie itself was... problematic, though I'd be lying if I said it wasn't engrossing.

Louis Morgan said...

Anonymous:

I'd still say Malone, after all her scenes were deleted.

Omar:

Probably that moment fighting with Bobby, though really I could choose any scene.

Thinking of the Pink Room scene I can see how the initial reaction was so harsh on the film even if I don't share that outlook personally. As it is extreme Lynch, yet really without the moments of levity he usually throws in, in fact those are almost entirely absent after we leave the F.B.I prologue. The scene though is pure Lynchian horror though without a hint of the supernatural, and it is effectively brutal in its depiction of the sort of desperate debauchery that Laura becomes involved in.

Reuten - 3(Like in Bruges I find she has a potentially scene stealing role, but doesn't quite take it to that level with her work. This is Clooney's show. Having said that though she more than decent in the role her in portraying sort of the specific professionalism, that hides a certain duplicity.)

Placido - 3(Her role is fairly limited but she certainly strikes up a nice chemistry with Clooney. It is straight forward and naturalistic approach I particularly like the scene where she portrays so honestly the explanation for her gun.)

Luke:

I actually Gooding's as it's sloppy in a very genuine way which I felt made it rather endearing.

With Berry the sentiment is understandable but I would say it's a case of perhaps just a bit too much, even though such a strong reaction was warranted.

Anonymous:

Bardem:

1. "What's the most you ever lost on a coin toss?" - No Country For Old Men
2. Entrance - Skyfall
3. "Everyone says the same thing" - No Country For Old Men
4. Ramon with his brother and father - The Sea Inside
5. Phone call - No Country For Old Men
6. Final Rat - Skyfall
7. Black Peter - Collateral
8. Meeting Carson - No Country For Old Men
9. The Debate - The Sea Inside
10. Almost - Skyfall
11. "Hold Still please" - No Country For Old Men
12. Shooting game - Skyfall
13. Conviction to die - The Sea Inside
14. "Mother" - Skyfall
15. Handcuff murder - No Country For Old Men
16. Julia's Collapse - The Sea Inside
17. A Bizarre story - The Counselor
18. "Where does he work?" - No Country For Old Men
19. Recommendations to the counselor - The Counselor
20. Shower curtain - No Country For Old Men

Louis Morgan said...

Anonymous:

Rourke:

1. Final Jump - The Wrestler
2. "I am the pope" - The Pope of Greenwich Village
3. Final moment with Wendi - Sin City
4. Deli Breakdown - The Wrestler
5. Charlie helps Paulie recover - The Pope of Greenwich Village
6. Henry Goes home with Wanda - Barfly
7. The motorcycle boy appears - Rumble Fish
8. Boogie is threatened - Diner
9. His scene - The Pledge
10. Second Scene - Body Heat
11. Robbery - The Pope of Greenwich Village
12. "I'll be right out" - Sin City
13. "Broken down piece of meat" - The Wrestler
14. Fight - Barfly
15. "don't do the crime" - Body Heat
16. Taking care of Kevin - Sin City
17. Theft - Rumble Fish
18. Showman at the deli - The Wrestler
19. Turning down Beth - Diner
20. Final Speech - The Wrestler

Purposefully left off anything from Angel Heart, which I intend to review when I get back to 87.

Dunaway:

1. Shooting Cross - Chinatown
2. "My sister, My Daughter" - Chinatown
3. Number One - Network
4. Meeting Clyde - Bonnie and Clyde
5. In bed with Gittes - Chinatown
6. Creating the show - Network
7. Poem - Bonnie and Clyde
8. Deciding Beale's fate - Network
9. "Mr. Gittes do you know me?" - Chinatown
10. Gunfight - Bonnie and Clyde
11. Max leaves Diana - Network
12. Calling her date - Three Days of the Condor
13. Final glance - Bonnie and Clyde
14. Wanda goes home with Henry - Barfly
15. First meeting Max - Network
16. Seeing the home - Chinatown
17. The undertaker - Bonnie and Clyde
18. Gittes asks about her "sister" - Chinatown
19. Fight - Barfly
20. Helping Condor - Three Days of the Condor

Anonymous:

Kilmer:

1. Duel with Johnny Ringo - Tombstone
2. "I'm your Huckleberry" - Tombstone
3. "Light my fire" - The Doors
4. Dying with his boots off - Tombstone
5. "I just like the name" - Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
6. Cup tricks - Tombstone
7. Bad interrogation - Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
8. Press conference - The Doors
9. Hidden Gun - Kiss Kiss Bang Bang
10. Becoming lost - The Doors

Though special mention to his teeth clench from Top Gun.

Weaver:

1. Accepting death - Alien 3
2. You Know the line - Aliens
3. Dallas in the air shaft - Alien
4. Asking for death - Alien 3
5. Describing what happened - Aliens
6. The Funeral - Alien 3
7. Finding Newt - Aliens
8. Fighting with Ash - Alien
9. The Autopsy - Alien 3
10. Meeting Bishop - Aliens

Louis Morgan said...

Calvin:

Chicanery - (Downright amazing episode, perhaps the best in the series that really is the realization of the promise of the series. As it is purely Saul in his own situation with only minor references to Breaking Bad. It thrives though in itself as it brings the climax to the conflict between the brothers in such a powerful way, with the courtroom scenes being particularly dynamic despite the technically low key nature of the case. Then there is of course Michael McKean's Emmy winning performance (I'll just pretend), that is absolutely outstanding particularly his Bogart in the Caine Mutiny breakdown.)

Fall - (Another episode that I found actually succeeded in bringing what the series always needed to be as Jimmy's cons to get his money where actually pretty compelling and amusing here rather than repetitive and pointless. In addition it manages to make the buildup of the Breaking Bad moments actually incredibly interesting even though we already know what will happen. To really top it off is the Nacho story line which I found rather surprising since it really made me invested in a pretty unlikable character.)

Lantern - (Again continuation and of the previous from Fall remaining compelling particularly the tension filled moments involving Nacho. The greatest part though is again McKean who makes the often despicable character rather heartbreaking in showing the man finally completely without any ego to hold onto leaving only a sad little man without friends.)

Luke:

Game of Thrones:

1. Fire and Blood
2. Final prick from the Queen of Thorns
3. The Hound Burying the family
4. End of House Tarly
5. Jon meets Daenerys

Give me a bit to work out the Zimmer Tracks.

Anonymous:

Baker's performance I thought frankly lacked the gravitas needed for Ra's Al Ghul. He just sounds evil in a simplistic way, lacking that ego needed for the part which David Warner certainly delivered.

Strong does a solid recreation of what Sorkin did no more no less either.

Wasserman I thought was fine as just a general human monster, but really he doesn't have many lines to really make much of an impression either way.

Louis Morgan said...

Luke:

1. Journey to The Line - The Thin Red Line
2. Light - The Thin Red Line
3. The Barbarian Horde - Gladiator
4. The Village - The Thin Red Line
5. The Lagoon - The Thin Red Line
6. King of Pride Rock - The Lion King
7. Supermarine - Dunkirk
8. Drink Up Me Hearties - Pirates of the Caribbean
9. No Time For Caution - Interstellar
10. Stone in My Heart - The Thin Red Line
11. A Way of Life - The Last Samurai
12. Time - Inception
13. The Corall Atol - The Thin Red Line
14. Home - Dunkirk
15. Molossus - Batman Begins

Michael McCarthy said...

I know I mentioned it briefly a couple days ago, but has anyone watched Ray Donovan? I'm a few episodes into the third season right now, and it might be the most fascinating study of toxic masculinity I've seen. And of course, the performances are excellent.

Anonymous said...

Louis: Your cast for a 1990's G.I. Joe film.

Calvin Law said...

Michael: I'm definitely interested in checking it out, given the pedigree of the cast plus that interesting sort of topic matter.

Saw The Circle. Yeah, it's pretty bad. Watson actually isn't the complete trainwreck I'd expected, and I think the writing is more to blame than her. Hanks is fine, Gillan suggests a less serious and far more entertaining film (honestly, if they were going to go for that whole ridiculous concept why not go all out), Boyega might as well have not turned up. Coltrane is just no. Also, it has some of the most aesthetically boring production designs in recent memory.

Anonymous said...

Calvin: What are your ratings for the cast of Transformers 5?

Calvin Law said...

Anonymous:

Wahlberg - 1.5
Hopkins - 2.5 (slightest of credit must go to him for mocking the film in a somewhat enjoyable manner while still praising Michael Bay to the skies)
Duhmael - 1.5
Haddock - 2
Moner - 1

Anonymous said...

Louis: Your thoughts on the "You lose, good day sir!" scene.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Since the Twin Peaks 2-part finale is on tonight, is Todd's review coming tonight or tomorrow.

Calvin Law said...

Luke: I suspect it'll be tomorrow lol can't blame Louis.

Matt Mustin said...

Louis: Considering this is a Twin Peaks review, I thought I'd ask this here. What are your thoughts on Graze Zabriskie and Warren Frost on Seinfeld?

Calvin Law said...

Louis: your thoughts on the Twin Peaks finale.

Calvin Law said...

Hostile is getting good notices, and Bale is getting lots of acclaim. Foster apparently has a pretty juicy role.

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: Let's hope Bale will finally get that long-awaited second five.

McDormand, Harrelson and especially Rockwell are getting raves for Three Billboards, though I've read one review where Hawkes is the weak link.

It's gonna be very difficult to decide who'll be making the alternate lineups this year. Again, I hope Louis will go one further with a joint review for Fassbender in Alien: Covenant and The Snowman (If it turns out to be a career-best for him), which he could leave to the end.

Calvin Law said...

The only performances so far I'm really want to see reviewed are:

Jackman
Kaluuya
Hawke (Maudie)
Poulter
Stewart
Dano

Luke Higham said...

Rating predictions for the lead performances saved so far.

5
Jackman
Kaluuya
Fassbender
Renner
4.5
Edgerton
Farrell
Serkis

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: If Louis doesn't watch Maudie until the alternates come around, do you hope he'll save Hawke for the bonus rounds instead.

Calvin Law said...

Luke: I feel Louis will go for a 4.5 with Kaluuya, though a 5 would be a pleasant surprise.

Calvin Law said...

And definitely. It's a fantastic performance, his second best performance after Boyhood.

Reading those reviews and I feel like ROckwell could be a dark horse for Louis' win. We'll see.

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: I was torn on his rating, because on his initial watch, I believe that he's a 4.5 though he could go up on a re-watch.

Calvin Law said...

As for the supporting performances Louis has saved so far, I'm guessing

5
Stewart
Poulter
4.5
Craig
Rylance
Dano
Reilly
Keaton
Boyega

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: Forgot about Luke Evans, Hamm and Foxx.

Calvin Law said...

Kaluuya's is definitely a performance that grows on re-watch. I was also equally impressed with Betty Gabriel as Allison Williams second time round, and went a bit higher on Howrey, Keener, Stanfield and slightly higher on Landry Jones second time round.

Calvin Law said...

Luke: 4.5's for them all, though a possible 5 for Hamm depending on how well Baby Driver sticks with Louis.

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: Agreed.

Luke Higham said...

Louis:

Your thoughts on:
God is a Squirrel from The Revenant
Bronson leaving prison and the sanitarium story from Bronson
The Foal from Hunger
'How is the Queen', 'Scorpions is my Mind' and the duel from Macbeth (2015)
and 'Words, Words, Just Words'/Cromwell's final talk with More from Wolf Hall

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Louis: Your top 10 Benedict Cumberbatch and Eddie Redmayne moments.

Luke Higham said...

Tahmeed: Not sure if he'll come up with ten for Redmayne, may have to include something from Jupiter Ascending.

Luke Higham said...

Cumberbatch:

1. Seeing Joan the Last time - The Imitation Game
2. Infiltrating the Circus - Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
3. "Am I a Machine" - The Imitation Game
4. Breaking it off - Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
5. Figuring it out - The Imitation Game

Calvin Law said...

I'd say a ten for Redmayne is possible considering Louis liked him a lot in The Theory of Everything, and quite liked him in Fantastic Beasts and Les Mis - I imagine 'Empty Chairs at Empty Tables' will be at the top. However, it is just as easy to do a bottom 10 for Redmayne.

Luke Higham said...

Calvin: Even though we still have 5 months to go, I'm quite confident on what the lead actor nominees are gonna be.

Oldman
Day-Lewis
Jackman
Washington
Garfield

Luke Higham said...

*4 months

Calvin Law said...

Luke: I'm thinking

Oldman
Day-Lewis
Jackman
Washington
Hanks or Garfield

Calvin Law said...

Also for Lead Actress, I actually would not be surprised is McDormand got in and became a dark horse candidate for the win.

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Louis: Your #6-#10 moments for Cumberbatch.

Omar Franini said...

Lead Actress this year will be very competitive; I'm predicting:

1. Hawkins (she has also Maudie and got raves for Shape of Water in Venice)
2. Streep
3. Winslet

I'm confident only about those three, McDormand and Stone got raves for their movies while both Dench and Bening are in not so good movies. Lawrence is the great ?

Calvin Law said...

Omar: Hawkins I think will unfortunately get lots of acclaim but fall short of a nom, due go one film being to small, one film being too genre-y. Which is a shame. Streep is a dead cert, Stone too. Lawrence, Winslet depend on how their films are received. Chastain could get in. Bening could be anywhere from top contender to being completely shut out from awards season.

Michael McCarthy said...

I'm not at all confident in Garfield getting a nomination for Breathe, that movie looks like it could go to Oscar baity even for the Oscars.

Also sorry to keep bringing this series up, but I just finished season 3 of Ray Donovan and Oh My God. Liev Schreiber's performance in the finale is one of the all-time great pieces of acting I've ever seen in television.

Omar Franini said...

Calvin: I think The Shape of Water will be a major player in this awards season and i can see Hawkins sweep all the critics awards before loosing the big one to Streep or Winslet, but i'm still confident about her. I'm very intrigued about Lawrence and mostly Pfeiffer in mother! and if they deliver i could see both of them getting at least the nominee.

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Michael: I've seen Schreiber's confession scene in that episode out of context, and I have to agree with you, it's outstanding work. I'll definitely try to check out the series as soon as I can.

Anonymous said...

Am I the only person who is disappointed with how little the Best Actress lineup changes in recent years, we hardly get any new talent getting recognised, it always seems to be the same 8 or 9 that appear each year.

Anonymous said...

Judi Dench is 100% out of the Oscar race now, 43% percent for Victoria and Abdul, I am actually glad if I am honest, the film looked like the most generic dull prestige nonsense, and having Dench play the Queen again is such an unoriginal bland choice that would have been a dull Oscar choice.

Anonymous said...

Suburbicon is doing very average as well in reviews so far, Its interesting that 2 films that had very meh trailers have been taken from the race, makes me quite worried for films like Stronger and Breathe which had very generic trailers

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: I want the best to be recognised, no matter who it is.

We had 2 first-time nominees last year in Negga and Huppert. The main problem for me personally is the academy's never ending obsession with Meryl Streep.

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: I didn't think Suburbicon would have a play in the Oscar race.

Stronger and Breathe should do fine. If Theory Of Everything could get 79%, then surely Breathe will do just as well with a far superior actor and one of the finest actresses of her generation in Foy.

Anonymous said...

Luke: The problem with the Academy is that they think every performance Streep gives is gold.

Bryan L. said...

I honestly don't have high hopes for Suburbicon, since I read a long time ago somewhere that Clooney gave the Coens script a rewrite.

I don't think Streep is overrated, but I do think she is overloved, if that makes sense.

Luke Higham said...

94dfk1: I can agree on that. I won't deny her talent, but I honestly let out a big 'fuck you' once she took Amy Adams' spot and I cringe at the sight of her name, every time she gets nominated for a less than deserving turn, no matter what awards ceremony it is.

Louis Morgan said...

Anonymous:

1990's G.I. Joe (Trying to make a good action movie):

Duke: Brad Pitt
Hawk: Sam Elliott
Cobra Commander: Rutger Hauer
Destro: Charles Dance
Zartan: Timothy Dalton

Anonymous:

It's a downright amazing scene due to Wilder's performance though Ostrum and Albertson are also quite good in that scene. Wilder's is the focus though and is incredible because he does not hold back. He gives the intensity as though a life was on the line and creates a real final test just within that moment.

Matt:

By the way I'd have to assume someone was a big Twin Peaks fan on Seinfeld. The two of them are both great in seemingly much lighter material. The thing is though the both of them are rather hilarious in a very darkly comic way. They make their scenes filled with a real tense misery fitting to a hateful old couple, and somehow manage to make that really amusing in just the way they present this exact type of bitterness.

Calvin:

Well there were really two finales the part 17 being an extremely satisfying conclusion to the story presented by much of the season where the various parts added up to one cohesive incredibly compelling whole. I could say from the moment that episode ended that I absolutely loved it.

The second part I needed some time to ruminate on. On one hand you could take it as a great bridge to a fourth seasons, sadly I'm not sure we're going to get that. However as taken as itself without a further connection I will say in the end I found it a haunting descent into the idea of perhaps never truly finding the answer or never being truly to make things completely right. Having said that there were questions not associated with what we see in the finale, that were not covered even with another question, AUDREY, that I do feel requires another season. Even with this uncertainty I'd still put it among the greatest seasons of any television series.

Luke:

Bronson's Sanatorium - (So much of the film seems almost like Refn is there to capture the madness that Hardy is revealing in the role. This is perhaps the best example of this as the two come together so brilliantly in the juxtaposition between that insane theatrical presentation of Bronson against the more blunt reality of one prison situation that Bronson's might in a way cannot match leaving himself a bit loss for once.)

Louis Morgan said...

God is a Squirrel - (One of the best scenes in the film as it grants such a particular insight into Fitzgerald aided by Tom Hardy's performance. We see though sort of the contrast to the spiritual survival of Glass, against Fitzgerald's philosophy which is purely of this world. It's great though in that one can take some inspiration from the story even but also garners a natural explanation to a bit more of who Fitzgerald is. Of course one should not forget Poulter's performance, which is terrific as he very much is the audience trying to decipher Fitzgerald while trying to figure how to feel about what he is saying.)

The Foal - (The best scene of the film and the most effective in finding a real potent emotion in McQueen's sometimes distant approach. The reason being it almost focuses entirely on the performances right down to the fifteen minute shot. The confidence in the writing, which so effectively creates the mindset behind the strike as well as the sympathetic opposition, and the acting with Liam Cunningham and Fassbender both delivering such amazing work, is earned.)

In regards to the Macbeth scenes, while my opinion on the performances has not changed, nor my opinion on Kurzel's success in terms of most of the aesthetic choices, I do find that his influence beyond that seemed determine to perhaps mute rather than amplify what was already there in terms of the emotion from those performances and the source material.

Final More/Cromwell Scene - (Although I thought the presentation of More was sometimes a weaker aspect of the series, him swearing in Latin just seemed far too much of an overt strawman for example, but this scene actually delivered completely within the conflict between Cromwell and More. The power of Rylance's performance so often comes from what he brings to the silence to those exact moments of directing that internalized power forward. That is a superb moment of there as Rylance unleashes his distaste for the man's actions in the moment, however he complicates it bit by revealing some underlying respect within the man's accomplishments somewhere. Lesser to his credit is also very good in the scene portraying the proper martyr if that is all we had ever seen of him.)

Tahmeed:

Cumberbatch:

6. Smile during "La Mer" - Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
7. The Spy Game - The Imitation Game
8. Interrogation in the Circus - Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy
9. A double life - The Imitation Game
10. Attacking Tarr - Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Redmayne:

1. "Empty Chairs At Empty Tables" - Les Miserables
2. Tense Dinner - The Theory of Everything
3. "Little Drop of rain" - Les Miserables
4. Forced Help - The Theory of Everything
5. Diagnosis - The Theory of Everything
6. Goodbye - Fantastic Beasts
7. "Red and Black" - Les Miserables
8. Meeting Kowalski - Fantastic Beasts
9. A somber voice message - The Theory of Everything
10. Trying to help Credence - Fantastic Beasts

Anonymous:

I'd say Dench has at least a minor chance still since Cate Blanchett was nominated for reprising a role as British Royalty in a critically panned sequel.

Bryan L. said...

Luke: It also seems like a Hollywood rite of passage that every young actress must mention Streep as a role model haha.

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Louis: For Film Thoughts-
Twin Peaks Seasons 1-3
Silicon Valley Seasons 1-4

Also, do you plan on watching Ray Donovan or Rick and Morty soon.

Anonymous said...

Are you looking for a business loan, personal loans, mortgages, car
loans, student loans, debt consolidation loans, unsecured loans, risk
capital, etc. ... You are in the right place
Your loan solutions! I am a private lender who lends
Individuals and businesses at a low interest rate and affordable
Interest rate of 3%. Contact us by email: powerfinance7@gmail.com

LOAN APPLICATION FORM
**********************
Your full name:
Country/State:
Loan Amount:
Duration
Phone:
Monthly income:
Occupation:

Awaiting your swift response.
May Allah bless you.
IBRAHIM MUSA
power Financial Service Pvt.
Contact Us At :powerfinance7@gmail.com
WhatsApp Number +919717357946