The Conformists

Somebody forgot to explain the drill to the San Francisco Film Critics Circle. It's Inglourious Basterds' milk-drinking Nazi Christoph Waltz for Best Supporting Actor, dummies, and not Christian McKay for his bellowing genius performance in Me and Orson Welles. Scores of obsequious critics in cities across the country have voted for Waltz over the last three or four days, so how could there have been a misunderstanding?

And what's with the SFFCC giving Wes Anderson and Noah Baumbach their Best Adapted Screemplay award for Fantastic Mr. Fox?

Otherwise the SFFCC fell into the ranks. Hurt Locker for Best Picture, Kathryn Bigelow for Best Director, Colin Firth's Single Man performance for Best Actor, Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds for Best Original Screenplay, Meryl Streep's Julie & Julia performance for Best Actress, etc.

I'm sickened by the coast-to-coast toadying shown to Streep over a lightweight "bit" performance. I enjoyed her as well but this is Carey Mulligan's year...obviously!

"You've been promoting Mulligan since Labor Day," a critic friend wrote this morning, "but speaking as someone who voted in two critics groups this week (NYFCC and NYFCO), I can tell you that she barely registered. The big showdown in best actress in each group was between Streep and Tilda Swinton (Julia), with Streep squeaking out the win by only a vote or two in both cases.

"And Swinton, who gives one of the ballsiest performances of the year, isn't even a Golden Globe nominee -- and probably won't register w/the Academy either because each, in their own way, are the province of the lame, the halt and the feebleminded."

Scottworld<< previous | next >>Good Lovin'

Posted by Jeffrey Wells on December 15, 2009 at 7:30 AM

comment #1

Mark Author Profile Page says ...

It's hard for an actor not to standout playing Orson Welles on film. I'm not sure we need to reward it.

Posted by Mark Author Profile Page at December 15, 2009 8:04 AM

comment #2

Jeffrey Wells Author Profile Page says ...

I am. I'm sure of that. McKay is a contact high in that film.=

And it's not hard to wear an old-fashioned fuddy-duddy dark brown wig, wear fuddy-duddy '50s clothes, speak in a kind of odd Julia Child falsetto and go "Bon Appetit!" either.

Posted by Jeffrey Wells Author Profile Page at December 15, 2009 8:20 AM

comment #3

Adam Author Profile Page says ...

I'd buy Carey Millgan as a 16-year-old if she'd lived out the plot of Precious. As it stands, she looks like she's 35 in An Education. I'm sure the unpleasantness of statutory rape makes you look a little haggard, but Jesus Christ.. Stick a banana in her, her Oscar hopes are over!

Posted by Adam Author Profile Page at December 15, 2009 9:06 AM

comment #4

Mark Author Profile Page says ...

Agreed, though unsure if you're being sarcastic. Impersonations of larger-than-life celebrities is acting 101. Yet the Academy falls for it everytime. 10 Oscars have gone to lead performances in biopics in the last 7 years.

It's ridiculous that Blanchett received her only Oscar for by far her easiest performance.

Posted by Mark Author Profile Page at December 15, 2009 9:11 AM

comment #5

Rob Author Profile Page says ...

Just saw Julia this weekend and I'm pretty sure Tilda Swinton gives the performance of the year.

Posted by Rob Author Profile Page at December 15, 2009 9:17 AM

comment #6

Travis Crabtree Author Profile Page says ...

Somebody should name "Alvin and the Chipmunks 2: The Squeekquel" Best Picture of the Year.

You know, just to be different and mix things up a little.

Posted by Travis Crabtree Author Profile Page at December 15, 2009 9:59 AM

comment #7

raygo Author Profile Page says ...

Also saw Julia. Swinton was good. The film is a bit of a mess, imo.

Posted by raygo Author Profile Page at December 15, 2009 10:01 AM

comment #8

raygo Author Profile Page says ...

And I couldn't agree more with Jeff about Streep. When Meryl Streep playing Julia Child watches a clip of Dan Ackroyd playing Julia Child on SNL, that was a full circle parody.

Posted by raygo Author Profile Page at December 15, 2009 10:04 AM

comment #9

raygo Author Profile Page says ...

Or was is Julie Powell watching the clip? Either way, it ruined Streep's impact.

Posted by raygo Author Profile Page at December 15, 2009 10:06 AM

comment #10

DrewAtHitFix Author Profile Page says ...

Remember, folks, as long as you vote the way Jeff wants you to, conformism is awesome. Vote against him, and then the namecalling starts.

You make awards season extra-ugly, Jeff. Well-played. I know it's hard for you to fathom, but there are actual smart people who love movies who don't agree with you. And when you spend all of your energy like this, all you do is guarantee that when you do decide at some other point in the year to try to be social, those bridges are not just burned but also pissed on. How about you dial it down a couple of decibels?

Posted by DrewAtHitFix Author Profile Page at December 15, 2009 10:34 AM

comment #11

corey3rd Author Profile Page says ...

Tilda's already won her Oscar. She won't get a second until she does her David Bowie biopic

Posted by corey3rd Author Profile Page at December 15, 2009 10:56 AM

comment #12

longrunner Author Profile Page says ...

^ i love you, drew :-)

Posted by longrunner Author Profile Page at December 15, 2009 10:58 AM

comment #13

evil robot ted Author Profile Page says ...

I was rank-and-file about Christoph Waltz's performance until I caught a few interviews with the actor. I had never seen the actor before that movie, but it turns out he speaks and composes himself not unlike his character.

Couple that with the news that his next U.S. movie is playing another bad guy role (in "The Green Hornet"), and it may wear down some of the initial luster he's had. I mean, that's what made the part (and movie) so effective, is how he came out of nowhere.

So maybe he peaked early? I'm still rooting for him though.

Posted by evil robot ted Author Profile Page at December 15, 2009 11:16 AM

comment #14

Kate88 Author Profile Page says ...

@ Raygo:

I felt that seeing the Aykroyd version in Jullie and Julia made Meryl's performance seem richer and more nuanced, not less. Julia Child herself came across as a bit of a caricature IRL due to her height/voice/attitude.

I think Carey Mulligan was AWESOME... ditto Swinton... but awards are almost never about fairly deeming "the best', because the process of viewing/voting is so subjective (and sometimes arbitrary).

At least if Streep cleans up in awards this year, it's not an actual outrage. Even in shitty films like 'Prime', Meryl Streep gives quality performances.

Posted by Kate88 Author Profile Page at December 15, 2009 11:22 AM

comment #15

adorian Author Profile Page says ...

And since Jeff didn't mention it at all in his article, Mo'Nique won best supporting actress from the San Francisco critics.

Posted by adorian Author Profile Page at December 15, 2009 11:25 AM

comment #16

Gordon27 Author Profile Page says ...

"So maybe he peaked early? I'm still rooting for him though."

Most (if not all) Tarantino discoveries and re-discoveries peak with their involvement with him, though; it's no shame.

Posted by Gordon27 Author Profile Page at December 15, 2009 11:36 AM

comment #17

Gabriel Author Profile Page says ...

"I mean, that's what made the part (and movie) so effective, is how he came out of nowhere."

In my opinion, what made the part/movie so effective was 100% screenplay. Landa is one of the best characters I've ever read, and I really didn't think Waltz brought much at all that wasn't already on the page. I guess I'm in a vast minority on this one. I'd much rather see Peter Capaldi (In the Loop), Nicholas Hoult (A Single Man), or (screw it) Vincent Gallo in Tetro.

Posted by Gabriel Author Profile Page at December 15, 2009 11:42 AM

comment #18

fattyhadaparty Author Profile Page says ...

Jeff, you may as well just face it; Mo'nique and Waltz are mortal locks. Both are fascinating, fathomless monsters; precisely the kind of character roles that Supporting Actor Oscars are made for. And they're the only supporting performances that anybody has even heard of, much less seen.

I'm sorry that you didn't like either BASTERDS or PRECIOUS. Sometimes in life, people have different notions than you about what constitutes "good" or "bad" or "mediocre". Sometimes you may even find yourself in the minority. But, in the end, it usually balances out.

Sure, "scores of obsequious critics in cities across the country" have voted for Mo'nique and Waltz. But those same obsequious critics have also embraced THE HURT LOCKER, as well. So just don't get too worked up about it or you might end up ruining the holidays.

You know what you could do to take your mind off of all this award-season schadenfreude? Drive your son home for Christmas! What a selfless gift that would be!!

Posted by fattyhadaparty Author Profile Page at December 15, 2009 11:46 AM

comment #19

Rothchild Author Profile Page says ...

Waltz gave the best performance of the year. Easily. There's no reason to be clever when someone's that good.

Posted by Rothchild Author Profile Page at December 15, 2009 12:09 PM

comment #20

OtownRog Author Profile Page says ...

The best reason to read JW this time of year is when you're irked that everybody else belongs to a church you don't -- Inglourious Sheeple -- and he's there to boost McKay, a "contact high" indeed. That's a movie for people who love cinema and cinema, not name-dropping history benders like our fellow movie lover, QT.

Posted by OtownRog Author Profile Page at December 15, 2009 12:33 PM

comment #21

Atticus Grinch Author Profile Page says ...

Tarantino once said, "There are two kinds of people: people who love movies, and people who love the movies they love."

Drew is the former, Wells is the latter.

Posted by Atticus Grinch Author Profile Page at December 15, 2009 12:59 PM

comment #22

Jeffrey Wells Author Profile Page says ...

Bullshit. All my life I've been one of those "people who simply love movies" types. I just don't love winky-wink telephone-pole-up-your-ass wankathons that die after you seen them the second time, like Inglourious Basterds

Posted by Jeffrey Wells Author Profile Page at December 15, 2009 1:18 PM

comment #23

DrewAtHitFix Author Profile Page says ...

And only Jeff knows how to love movies right. Everyone else is a sheep or a moron or on the take. Right, Jeff? You're the only one with the answers, and the only one whose taste matters. Ever.

Posted by DrewAtHitFix Author Profile Page at December 15, 2009 1:24 PM

comment #24

Atticus Grinch Author Profile Page says ...

Somebody who simply loves movies wouldn't crucify Inglourious Basterds like it was Old Dogs just because other people like it.

Posted by Atticus Grinch Author Profile Page at December 15, 2009 1:45 PM

comment #25

Jeffrey Wells Author Profile Page says ...

I don't matter more than you, Drew, or anyone else. My opinions aren't more or less valid that yours. I just feel what I feel very strongly, and I have this column so...what do you want me to do? Not say what I feel? Oh, that;'s right -- you just want me to dial it down. Okay, I'll try that. But dammit, I hate that a performance as irrefutably minor as Streep's in Julie & Julia is getting so much critic-group love. It's infuriating. They should be ashamed of themselves.

Posted by Jeffrey Wells Author Profile Page at December 15, 2009 1:52 PM

comment #26

DeeZee Author Profile Page says ...

Gabriel: He's not a character. He's a vessel for QT to come off intellectual.

Wells: "I just don't love winky-wink telephone-pole-up-your-ass wankathons that die after you seen them the second time, like Inglourious Basterds."

You mean like QT's entire oeuvre?

Posted by DeeZee Author Profile Page at December 15, 2009 1:58 PM

comment #27

scooterzz Author Profile Page says ...

so, when the bfca 'conforms' with the other groups (as it appears from the nominations they will) will you be as vocal in taking them to task and name calling? your post on the bfca nominations voiced barely an opinion...

Posted by scooterzz Author Profile Page at December 15, 2009 2:03 PM

comment #28

DrewAtHitFix Author Profile Page says ...

Really, Jeff? So when you take a review I write and you assign it subtext that isn't there to explain why I'm on the take or why my opinion isn't actually what I state it is, that's because you're a movie lover? That's because all opinions are equal? It's not because you're trying to "win" film reviewing? Because that's how it comes off.

And for the record, I think Christoph Waltz gave the male performance of the year. Go ahead. Call me a sheep. You know you're itching to.

Posted by DrewAtHitFix Author Profile Page at December 15, 2009 2:24 PM

comment #29

slithis Author Profile Page says ...

You know, it's really funny what a short-term memory everyone seems to have on the Streep performance, which is, sorry, flawless.

When Julie and Julia hit theaters, everyone upon everyone called it one of Streep's wittiest, funniest, best -- and every single critic derided Amy Adams because Streep showed her up to such a high degree.

It's a great performance, period. It has comedy, romance, some regret, bittersweet -- she really caught it all and gave us the best comedy and highest time of the year... And yeah, I'm speaking in superlatives because they are deserved.

Posted by slithis Author Profile Page at December 15, 2009 2:27 PM

comment #30

slithis Author Profile Page says ...

Jeff, you are on the nose with Inglourious Basterds (as much as I think you are WAY off mark on Mo'Nique). There's not a single, genuine moment of human feeling or substance in the entire Basterds affair -- it is all high-syle, in-jokes, corny references to B-movies ("Hugo Stiglitz!"), bad use of Nazi iconography in a film with nothing on its mind, way too talky and "CLEVER" for its own good, and the opposite of everything good in Tarantino. I am sick to death of this piece of empty style being touted -- and seriously regarded -- in the same categories as The Hurt Locker, and robbing films like An Education and A Serious Man. Everything strong about Tarantino is absent from this film. With the exception of Kill Bill II's final reel and some moments in Jackie Brown, Tarantino has displayed ZERO understanding or interest in anything adult or grown-up, except, of course, reveling in violence. The only thing you can tell about Tarantino from his movies, is that yes, he has been...to the movies. That's it. Can anyone find anything, anywhere, in his catalog that indicates he knows anything about the way the world works and how people relate? NADA. And the references, hip-ness, playing around with millions of dollars to create self-referential crap --- is beyond old and embarassing at this point. But hey, it's being validated by critics' groups so drunk on his style they can't see straight.

Posted by slithis Author Profile Page at December 15, 2009 2:46 PM

comment #31

CitizenKanedforChewingGum Author Profile Page says ...

"Most (if not all) Tarantino discoveries and re-discoveries peak with their involvement with him, though; it's no shame."

So very true. Flashback about 10 years ago, remember when Pam Grier and Robert Forster were just happy to have their careers back thanks to Jackie Brown? Yeah, that lasted all of about 2 years total, and sadly their most high-profile projects in that time period were bit parts in the Psycho remake and John Carpenter's Ghosts of Mars, respectively.

Quentin certainly didn't "discover" Travolta or Sam Jackson, but he's really about the only director to deploy their (what now appears to be pretty limited) talents correctly. I remember thinking what an absolute huge start SLJ was going to be after watching Pulp, and it just never came to pass. You can never really blame the actors for this kinda stuff, but I still think Shaft was totally the right franchise for him. Just didn't have the juice it shoulda/coulda.

Travolta's batting average is absolutely abhorrent, IMHO, how does this guy continue to work? Once every decade he seems to blindly wander into a role that fits him just right -- Sat. Night Fever, Blow Out, PF. With all due respect for anyone that found his villain particularly riveting in the Pelham re-do (I just thought it was a load of the same old shit), it seems like the 00s is finally going to break that streak.

Would anyone even know who Michael Madsen was without QT? He'd probably just be known as the older brother of Virginia, which he kinda still is to me. That's one smokin' cougar!

Posted by CitizenKanedforChewingGum Author Profile Page at December 15, 2009 3:03 PM

comment #32

btwnproductions Author Profile Page says ...

McKay's performance goes well beyond acting, or impersonation; it's more like reincarnation, and deserves every accolade it gets. I just wish I had seen his one-man show in NY.

Posted by btwnproductions Author Profile Page at December 15, 2009 3:27 PM

comment #33

CitizenKanedforChewingGum Author Profile Page says ...

"There's not a single, genuine moment of human feeling or substance in the entire Basterds affair"

I don't really have time to get into it right now (I basically disagree with your entire post), but are you really claiming that there was nothing genuine to be found -- at the very least -- in the Melanie Laurent thread of that film?

Really?

Posted by CitizenKanedforChewingGum Author Profile Page at December 15, 2009 3:31 PM

comment #34

raygo Author Profile Page says ...

There was no arc to Julia Child in Julie and Julia. The performance reflects a basic point displayed the movie when [spolier] Julie Powell is devastated to learn that Julia Child thinks her blog is a gimmick. That's how I think of Streep in this movie ... a nice gimmick, executed as flawlessly as expected, but a gimmick that props up the weaker Powell story. It's not a full performance. Two lesser halves of a movie that add up to a fully unsatisfying one.

Posted by raygo Author Profile Page at December 15, 2009 4:03 PM

comment #35

MilkMan Author Profile Page says ...

The people in the film industry, and their attendant flunkies and sycophants, are the most self-serving people in the history of the world. And that is not hyperbole. None of these awards mean anything except to the people receiving them, most of them are bought and paid for, and so on and so on. It's a fucking bore. The rest of the world works and shuffles around trying to survive, while the people in the entertainment industry spend a 1/3 of the year massaging each other's prostates and g-spots. It is amazing the lengths that people will go to in order to convince themselves that they are good at what they do, as if the money and the lifestyle aren't enough proof. Fucking pigs.

Posted by MilkMan Author Profile Page at December 15, 2009 4:08 PM

comment #36

DeeZee Author Profile Page says ...

Kane: "but are you really claiming that there was nothing genuine to be found -- at the very least -- in the Melanie Laurent thread of that film?"

Melanie Laurent moments in a nutshell. "Whee, I'm running away from the Gestapo in a field scene which happens to resemble Sound of Music! Now I manage my own theater and have a black boyfriend, and I get picked up by Himmler and some young nazi who's trying to hit on me. So my response is to glare a lot while listening to them sound sophisticated. Then I'm out of the picture for a while. But in the mean time, I rig a few explosives, A-Team style, and stupidly burn down my place with me in it, just to glare into the camera so I can show off my Carrie and Wicked Witch of the West impersonations! I'm *so* fucking deep, tee-hee."

Posted by DeeZee Author Profile Page at December 15, 2009 4:55 PM

comment #37

Phreaker Author Profile Page says ...

"I hate that a performance as irrefutably minor as Streep's in Julie & Julia is getting so much critic-group love. It's infuriating. They should be ashamed of themselves. "

It's really hard to take you seriously when you write stuff like that. You clearly have absolutely no idea what makes good acting and neither do the handful of minions who cluck along with you. Streep was magnificent in that film. There isn't an actress that can beat her. I think you're just miffed that isn't going the way you wanted it to, that those whom you praised aren't winning any awards...

Posted by Phreaker Author Profile Page at December 15, 2009 5:17 PM

comment #38

arturobandini2 Author Profile Page says ...

DeeZee nails the Laurent arc, except he forgot the beat where she channels Nastassja Kinski in Cat People. (Or was it Kathleen Byron in Black Narcissus?)

Count me firmly in the anti-Basterds column. As summer wank, it was diverting. But award-worthy? Come the fuck on. What passes for great acting these days is nothing more than Saturday Night Live-grade caricature -- some campy shtick with a few quotable lines that everybody in the office can mimic by the water cooler and instantly "get." If Tina Fey had done her Palin impersonation in a movie, she would've won an Oscar.

No slight to Waltz intended. I'm sure he's a fine actor, but you'd never know it from his part in Basterds because he only has two or three notes to play. Admittedly, he plays them. Over. And over. And over. And over... The actor cast as the farmer in the opening scene acted circles around him, with half as much dialogue and no moustache to twirl.

Posted by arturobandini2 Author Profile Page at December 15, 2009 6:14 PM

comment #39

crazynine Author Profile Page says ...

The only way Danny Zelter would ever say a kind word about a QT movie is if Tarantino made an autobiographical snuff film.

Then again, the only way he'd say something worth reading is in a suicide note.

And then I'd click over to ESPN.

Posted by crazynine Author Profile Page at December 15, 2009 7:23 PM

comment #40

DeeZee Author Profile Page says ...

nine: I'd say a kind word about QT if he apologized to Ringo and/or Roger.

Posted by DeeZee Author Profile Page at December 15, 2009 8:55 PM

comment #41

Uncle Milty Author Profile Page says ...

At this point, without having seen anything released in the last three weeks, Bastards is the best movie of the year.

Tee-fucking-hee!

Posted by Uncle Milty Author Profile Page at December 15, 2009 8:55 PM

comment #42

Uncle Milty Author Profile Page says ...

Apologize to Roger for what? For being the superior talent of the two?

Posted by Uncle Milty Author Profile Page at December 15, 2009 8:57 PM

comment #43

Gordon27 Author Profile Page says ...

"I just don't love winky-wink telephone-pole-up-your-ass wankathons that die after you seen them the second time, like Inglourious Basterds"

first off, I really honestly have no idea what "telephone-pole-up-your-ass wankathons" means. Is that really supposed to pass for film criticism?

Second of all, I always find it disingenuous when people say shit like what you just wrote. Criticize the movie, sure; but when you say "die after you seen (sic) them the second time", you're lying. You hated the movie the first time you saw it. But you're trying to sound like, "Hey, we all enjoy that shit once" to seem more reasonable... but it's a lie.

Posted by Gordon27 Author Profile Page at December 15, 2009 9:51 PM

comment #44

Gordon27 Author Profile Page says ...

"Quentin certainly didn't "discover" Travolta or Sam Jackson"

I know what you're saying about Jackson, and I agree with what I deleted, but I do think that, with all respect to Spike Lee, Tarantino's the one who made Jackson a household name and provided the template for the typecast "star roles" that Jackson has played ever since then.

"Travolta's batting average is absolutely abhorrent, IMHO, how does this guy continue to work?"

I have to admit, I have a soft-spot for latter-day Travolta. He does terrible movies, but he brings a Walken-esque bizarreness to a lot of them. I wouldn't say they're good performances, but I'd much rather watch him in these roles than the Oscar bait he was doing post-Pulp.

Posted by Gordon27 Author Profile Page at December 15, 2009 10:00 PM

comment #45

Gordon27 Author Profile Page says ...

"DeeZee nails the Laurent arc"

Arturo - you should realize, DZ never saw the movie, even though he has belatedly realized that acknowledging this weakens his criticisms and started lying and pretending he saw it. He cobbles things together from complaints he reads on message boards, and from his Google search alerting him to everything said on-line about Quentin Tarantino. But he hasn't watched the movie, that's why he doesn't know about the 'Cat People' bit you're talking about, or the actual emotional arc the character takes, or anything else about the movie.

Posted by Gordon27 Author Profile Page at December 15, 2009 10:03 PM

comment #46

DarthCorleone Author Profile Page says ...

Yeah, I was going to ask DeeZee: you actually finally saw Basterds?

Posted by DarthCorleone Author Profile Page at December 15, 2009 10:18 PM

comment #47

Gordon27 Author Profile Page says ...

Even DZ isn't stupid enough to see 'Basterds', which is made by a filmmaker whom he obsessively hates to the fibre of his being (to an extent that should be reserved for genocidal dictators), a movie that he spent six months insulting before it even came out and spent the next five months arguing was not only terrible (an opinion, but not very valid since he repeatedly admitted he hadn't seen it, for the aforementioned reasons) but was a box office failure (which he will still attempt to justify even now that it's past $300 mill). DZ, who complains constantly about having no money and hating all movies, no matter how stupid a guy he has always proven to be, I really can't believe he's stupid enough that he would pay money to see 'Basterds' in a theater.

But he has surprised me with the depths of his stupidity before.

Posted by Gordon27 Author Profile Page at December 15, 2009 11:05 PM

comment #48

DeeZee Author Profile Page says ...

Milty: "At this point, without having seen anything released in the last three weeks, Bastards is the best movie of the year. "

That's not saying much about the year.

"Apologize to Roger for what? For being the superior talent of the two?"

The only thing QT is talented in is recycling.

Gordon: Um, yes I did see the movie, just as Jeff knows IB's another one-hit wonder for QT. As for Cat People, I didn't see either one, but I can probably take a guess.

Darth: Um, months ago, though I've already "seen" it via the script.

Posted by DeeZee Author Profile Page at December 15, 2009 11:08 PM

comment #49

DeeZee Author Profile Page says ...

Gordon: I paid for the second-run matinee. And it's a failure in the sense that its take has more to do with Pitt being in it than QT directing it. Furthermore, its take wasn't enough to save Harvey or be profitable enough to justify its cost, given that the profit got split between two companies which over-paid for the production and P+A.

Posted by DeeZee Author Profile Page at December 15, 2009 11:15 PM

comment #50

mpneeb Author Profile Page says ...

Wells,

The San Diego Film Critics broke with tradition.

Samantha Morton won Best Supporting Actress over Mo'nique.

Thought you should know.

Posted by mpneeb Author Profile Page at December 15, 2009 11:19 PM

comment #51

Uncle Milty Author Profile Page says ...

"I paid for the second-run matinee. And it's a failure in the sense that its take has more to do with Pitt being in it than QT directing it."

Prove it. (although even if you did prove it, which you can't, your theory that the film is a failure because the financial success is owed to the star, rather than the director is as flawed as logic gets. Most people didn't go see Mission Impossible because of Brian DePalma. They went for Tom Cruise. There are only a couple of directors that can fill theaters on a Friday night because of their name alone. )

"its take wasn't enough to save Harvey or be profitable enough to justify its cost, given that the profit got split between two companies which over-paid for the production and P+A."

It's a huge hit, and you know it, and it kills you. And I like that.

"That's not saying much about the year."

Yeah, but you're a guy that hangs out on movie blogs all day long yet you hate movies.

"The only thing QT is talented in is recycling."

No.


Posted by Uncle Milty Author Profile Page at December 15, 2009 11:38 PM

comment #52

Gordon27 Author Profile Page says ...

"just as Jeff knows IB's another one-hit wonder for QT"

Yes, it's just another in a string of one-hit wonders that QT has produced. What a joker, he just keeps making one-hit wonders.

"I paid for the second-run matinee."

Nobody believes you, because, since you already hated the movie without seeing it, and would never have liked it, you'd have to be a complete idiot to see the movie!

"And it's a failure in the sense that its take has more to do with Pitt being in it than QT directing it."

Ah, so a movie that makes a shitload of money, more than 4 times what it cost, isn't a hit if people are going to see the actor. That makes a whole lot of sense.

"its take wasn't enough to save Harvey"

Ah, I get it, a movie has to be sooooo successful as to single-handedly carry a studio. But, wait, you also argue that 'Pulp Fiction' wasn't a hit, and it literally did that for Miramax. It's almost as if you're incredibly biased against Tarantino (even moreso than your general hatred for all movies) and can't acknowledge that he has another in a string of hits.

"be profitable enough to justify its cost, given that the profit got split between two companies which over-paid for the production and P+A. "

You know, you've never explained how two companies splitting the cost means that the two companies splitting the profits both need to recoup the entire cost of the film in order for it to be successful. It doesn't make any sense, and repeating it over and over makes you sound like the sort of idiot who would pay to see a movie you had already decided was terrible.

Posted by Gordon27 Author Profile Page at December 16, 2009 3:03 AM

comment #53

Eloi Manning Author Profile Page says ...

Good God, Drew McWeeny is an asshole.

Posted by Eloi Manning Author Profile Page at December 16, 2009 5:01 AM

comment #54

DeeZee Author Profile Page says ...

Milty: "Prove it."

The ads emphasized Pitt, and barely mentioned QT.

"(although even if you did prove it, which you can't, your theory that the film is a failure because the financial success is owed to the star, rather than the director is as flawed as logic gets. Most people didn't go see Mission Impossible because of Brian DePalma. They went for Tom Cruise."

Except that DePalma's never been a big box office draw, even in the 70s. QT was at least synonymous with the bankability of a project until Grindhouse.

"It's a huge hit, and you know it, and it kills you."

It's a minor hit which still isn't as big as Pulp Fiction's adjusted take.

"No."

The fact that the tide's turning against him says otherwise.

"What a joker, he just keeps making one-hit wonders."

Yep. Everytime he's got something going, he fucks it up. First Four Rooms; then that Broadway gig; then The Protector and Grindhouse; and the next most likely failure will be Kill Bill 3.

"Nobody believes you, because, since you already hated the movie without seeing it, and would never have liked it, you'd have to be a complete idiot to see the movie!"

I saw it, because Jeff loved the script but hated the movie, while I hated the script and heard good things from other people about the movie.

"Ah, so a movie that makes a shitload of money, more than 4 times what it cost, isn't a hit if people are going to see the actor."

It's not a hit if the director couldn't sell it without the actor.

"But, wait, you also argue that 'Pulp Fiction' wasn't a hit, and it literally did that for Miramax."

No, I said that PF wasn't an instant hit.

"You know, you've never explained how two companies splitting the cost means that the two companies splitting the profits both need to recoup the entire cost of the film in order for it to be successful. "

Well, the picture only makes a fraction of the profit it would with only one distributor, especially when you take into account revenue going to theater chains.

Posted by DeeZee Author Profile Page at December 16, 2009 5:09 AM

comment #55

Gordon27 Author Profile Page says ...

"It's not a hit if the director couldn't sell it without the actor."

Which means no movie has ever been a hit, since even Steven Spielberg can't guarantee a movie is a hit without an actor in it. That's why actors generally make more money than directors, because movies are actually sold by the actors.

"The fact that the tide's turning against him says otherwise."

I love the circular logic; DZ, having "proven" that the movie was not successful, now uses the "fact" that it wasn't successful to "prove" that the tide is turning against Tarantino.

"the picture only makes a fraction of the profit it would with only one distributor, especially when you take into account revenue going to theater chains."

Factoring in revenue going to theaters is irrelevant, because it isn't doubled by the presence of two distributors. Even here, in direct response to me pointing out your stupidity, you do exactly the same thing AGAIN!

The two distributors split the cost as well as splitting the profit, so, yes, each one gets less profit, but each one gets exactly the same profit margin. That's why what you're saying doesn't make sense; neither distributor got $300 mil from 'Basterds', but neither one spent $70mil either; the grosses get split by the same division as the cost. Both companies have made good money off of it for their investment; I bet they'll re-release it when it's nominated for Best Picture and get a little more coin in, too.

Posted by Gordon27 Author Profile Page at December 16, 2009 6:00 AM

comment #56

Gordon27 Author Profile Page says ...

BTW, I have to say, I love the fact that you are so ornery and contrarian that you are prepared to argue that you are, in fact, stupid enough to go see 'Basterds' despite all the reasons I already mentioned that you'd be a total fucking idiot to do so. just because I said you weren't.

Posted by Gordon27 Author Profile Page at December 16, 2009 6:05 AM

comment #57

alan Author Profile Page says ...

Let's examine a list of some of the performances that Meryl Streep has given since she last won an Oscar, shall we?

Doubt - Sister Aloysius
The Devil Wears Prada - Miranda Priestly
Adaptation - Susan Orlean
One True Thing - Kate Gulden
The Bridges of Madison County - Francesca Johnson
The River Wild - Gail Hartman
Postcards from the Edge - Suzanne Vale
A Cry in the Dark - Lindy Chamberlain
Ironweed - Helen Archer
Out of Africa - Karen Blixen
Silkwood - Karen Silkwood

Now, I realize that the Oscar is supposed to be about the best performance in a film from this year, but since we all know that this is almost never the case, and considering the list above, I have no problem with Streep finally, finally winning one of the most overdue Oscars in history for her maybe-not-as-stellar-as-her-past-work-but-also-pretty-excellent turn in Julie & Julia. It's the same as when Reese Witherspoon won for a completely average performance in Walk the Line - I just pretended it was an overdue award for Election, and everything was a-ok!

But regardless of my reasoning, it's happening whether you like it or not.

Posted by alan Author Profile Page at December 16, 2009 7:41 AM

comment #58

Gordon27 Author Profile Page says ...

Also, both Streep's potential performances were directed by women, which would fit within the narrative of the year.

I really wish they'd nominate her for 'Mr. Fox'. She's great in it, and it would make it look like they had a sense of humor about nominating her for everything she does.

Posted by Gordon27 Author Profile Page at December 16, 2009 8:00 AM

comment #59

BurmaShave Author Profile Page says ...

Well take heart, Meryl may be sweeping the critics' groups, but Sandra Bullock is going to win the Oscar.

Posted by BurmaShave Author Profile Page at December 17, 2009 4:33 PM

comment #60

Gordon27 Author Profile Page says ...

Burma - I had the same thought within the last day or so. I think that's a strong possibility. They're never going to give Meryl frickin' Streep an Oscar for Julie and frickin' Julia.

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comment #68

doublexjohn Author Profile Page says ...

I am sick to death of this piece of empty style being touted -- and seriously regarded -- in the same categories as The Hurt Locker, and robbing films like An Education and A Serious Man. Everything strong about Tarantino is absent from this film. With the exception of Kill Bill II's final reel and some moments in Jackie Brown, Tarantino has displayed ZERO understanding or interest in anything adult or grown-up, except, of course, reveling in violence.

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Quentin Tarantino was interviewed by Elvis Mitchell last night at the Museum of Modern Art's downstairs theatre following a screening of Inglourious Basterds. You could feel the worship in the room as Tarantino made his way down the aisle. He's as much of a celebrity as any big-name actor. Nobody is better at giving an audience a good time. Online Legal Studies degree AND online phd degrees AND Online Clinical Psychology Degree AND Computer Science degree AND Degree

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