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Post by showgirl on Jan 21, 2018 5:11:37 GMT
Just before seeing this yesterday, I read one review saying it felt rushed - though of course very timely and it was indeed made in haste - and though workmanlike, undistinguished and had so far not been nominated for any awards. Afterwards I could see what the reviewer meant: it was perfectly engaging and told the story well, but I can't imagine it lingering in my mind and compared to other films about press freedom (e.g. Spotlight), the treatment of this story seemed a lot more routine. Obviously it tries to be accurate and truthful and I wouldn't want it to be flashy or melodramatic, but there was little real sense of tension, risk or uncertainty, despite these being suggested.
However, it's bound to do very well and maybe I'm comparing it unfavourably to other films I've seen recently which have impressed me far more - it has been an impressive start to the film-going year.
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Post by lynette on Jan 21, 2018 14:20:05 GMT
Nobody is going crazy with love for this. But it is timely and meant to be: freedom of the press. I suggest you have a look at All the President's Men, old film but great for tension and the American way. Won an award for the sound, which seems nothing special until you hear it. One of my favourite movies.
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Post by showgirl on Jan 21, 2018 15:09:05 GMT
I don't know if your suggestion was intended for me, lynette, but if so, I've certainly seen All The President's Men and indeed most major films in this or similar genres, going back decades now. Not quite the same area but I recall struggling in vain to decipher some of the dialogue in The Conversation (1974), which some at the time thought referred to the Watergate Scandal.
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Post by theatre-turtle on Jan 21, 2018 15:34:58 GMT
This bored me to tears
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Post by showgirl on Jan 21, 2018 16:42:45 GMT
Oh dear! I admit to being a bit fidgety but I thought that might be due to trying not to nod off because it was dark, rather than because the film failed to engage me completely. But now I'm not sure whether it wasn't a bit of both. I still think it was fine, just forgettable.
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Post by ctas on Jan 21, 2018 16:46:43 GMT
I enjoyed it, a solid good film and interesting performances. It gave me a huge urge to watch Frost/Nixon afterwards though (which I have to say I prefer!)
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Post by Deleted on Jan 23, 2018 19:20:06 GMT
#Streep21
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Post by Jan on Jan 23, 2018 19:28:15 GMT
Just before seeing this yesterday, I read one review saying it felt rushed - though of course very timely and it was indeed made in haste - and though workmanlike, undistinguished and had so far not been nominated for any awards. Afterwards I could see what the reviewer meant: it was perfectly engaging and told the story well, but I can't imagine it lingering in my mind and compared to other films about press freedom (e.g. Spotlight), the treatment of this story seemed a lot more routine. Obviously it tries to be accurate and truthful and I wouldn't want it to be flashy or melodramatic, but there was little real sense of tension, risk or uncertainty, despite these being suggested. However, it's bound to do very well and maybe I'm comparing it unfavourably to other films I've seen recently which have impressed me far more - it has been an impressive start to the film-going year. I think it’s far from obvious they tried to be honest and truthful - there has been a lot of criticism they have boosted the role of the Washington Post at the expense of the New York Times who were involved first.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 23, 2018 19:32:19 GMT
Meryl Streep deserved her 21st Oscar nomination for this (congrats bae, btw!), but it wasn't my kind of film. It dragged a bit, and I didn't know much of the history so didn't care for it too much.
That said, Meryl is Queen, every time she is on that damn screen it just radiates. Its one of her best performances honestly, and she should win her 4th Oscar from my persepctive having now seen all five of the performances.
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Post by Jon on Jan 23, 2018 19:38:04 GMT
I'm seeing this Thursday and looking forward to it but have to say Spielberg's next film Ready Player One looks stunning and looks a return of Blockbuster Spielberg even though I quite liked The BFG. Interestingly, Ready Player One was shot before The Post but post production on Ready Player One meant Spielberg was able to film, edit and release the Post in 9 months.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 23, 2018 19:40:42 GMT
Meryl Streep deserved her 21st Oscar nomination for this (congrats bae, btw!), but it wasn't my kind of film. It dragged a bit, and I didn't know much of the history so didn't care for it too much. That said, Meryl is Queen, every time she is on that damn screen it just radiates. Its one of her best performances honestly, and she should win her 4th Oscar from my persepctive having now seen all five of the performances. I think Frances McDormand will have something to say about that this year I'm afraid. Meryl may have to wait for nomination 22 before she gets another win.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 23, 2018 19:42:50 GMT
Meryl Streep deserved her 21st Oscar nomination for this (congrats bae, btw!), but it wasn't my kind of film. It dragged a bit, and I didn't know much of the history so didn't care for it too much. That said, Meryl is Queen, every time she is on that damn screen it just radiates. Its one of her best performances honestly, and she should win her 4th Oscar from my persepctive having now seen all five of the performances. I think Frances McDormand will have something to say about that this year I'm afraid. Meryl may have to wait for nomination 22 before she gets another win. I agree, a shame really too. I don't doubt Meryl still has an Oscar or two yet to come in her career, deservedly so!
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Post by callum on Jan 23, 2018 21:44:40 GMT
I am the elusive person that absolutely went nuts for this. I felt very emotional watching it with the values that it celebrated and wanted to give it a standing ovation at the end. I must admit that I do have a strong interest in the history - very much enjoyed Ken Burns' The Vietnam War documentary from a few months ago. I can understand how an unfamiliarity with the history might be problematic as a lot of it seemed like prerequisites - i.e. you're supposed *to know* about the rivalry between the Times and the Post, the status of the war at that point in the 70s, how it was a constant problem for Truman, Eisenhower, Kennedy, Johnson, and indeed how pernicious Nixon himself was. I admired that especially in contrast to the clunky expositional dialogue of Darkest Hour.
Meryl's performance was as glorious as her kaftan - she was so textured and I found the development of her character throughout the film very compelling. Especially when she doesn't spend a lot of time on the OTT aspects and eccentricities of recent characters like Florence Foster Jenkins, Thatcher, Julia Child and The Witch. Really wonderful, as was Hanks. Spielberg films the scene where all of the major players share the same phone call like it's a Jurassic Park action sequence. I was gripped throughout and very moved by the end. And I found the final scene electrifying.
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Post by callum on Jan 23, 2018 21:48:30 GMT
Also wondering how people felt about Lincoln and if they have similar feelings towards The Post? A very Spielbergian patriotic look at a specific point in American history
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Post by showgirl on Jan 24, 2018 5:37:18 GMT
Fascinating to read all the latest comments. Re Jon's point about "Blockbuster Spielberg", those are exactly the sort of films which repel me and even being forced to watch the trailer for BFG made me fume. I much prefer films on which a director hasn't imposed a particular style or signature treatment, and as for "auteurs"... and re callum's point about emotional engagement with some films, I do recognise this but though other films may, The Post didn't resonate with me in that way - and I loathed Lincoln despite looking forward to it enormously.
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Post by Pennywise57 on Jan 29, 2018 16:35:08 GMT
I really enjoyed this. Solid Performances all round particularly Meryl Streep who was electric! It was also nice to see Jessie Mueller pop up as Judith Martin as well. Hopefully at some point they'll make Beautiful into a film with her starring. I want to rewatch All the President's Men now as it almost feels like that could be a sequel to this.
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Post by Deleted on Jan 29, 2018 17:35:31 GMT
If you've not already seen it, I'd have to recommend the Ken Burns Vietnam War documentary as the ideal follow-up viewing. Wholly arresting, and at times a harrowing watch, it doesn't pull its punches, and provides the context for The Post's story that was perhaps absent from the film. There was a live reading of All the President's Men a couple of days back in LA City Hall, performed by various of the West Wing cast. Which would have been a treat and a half.
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Post by lynette on Jan 29, 2018 18:46:56 GMT
I certainly endorse the recommendation of Ken Burns' Vietnam. Brilliant. I've not seen The Post yet and I’m looking forward to it but I have read about the inaccuracies. Shame if it stops us learning from what actually happened. Hey, it is a work of art and we must allow for that so I’m not too bothered.
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Post by Pennywise57 on Feb 2, 2018 18:24:19 GMT
Thanks for the recommendation @cmonfeet. I will definitely look into that it looks brilliant. I know next to nothing about the Vietnam War so will be very interesting! That's a shame lynette. I hadn't heard about the inaccuracies. it's a pity the New York Times role isn't emphasised a bit more. It's still a great film though!
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