FrankGrimes

Hey there, FXReyMan! -- I'd have to disagree with your opinion of Day-Lewis in "There Will Be Blood". You're not allowed to do that. His performance was good, may have even qualified him for the Oscar this year. But this is no where near one of his better performances. His Oscar win for "My Left Foot" was much more deserving. He is one of our better, more committed actors we have working today. Although not as prolific as "classic" movie actors once were. Day-Lewis deserves much praise for his performance in BOTH My Left Foot and There Will Be Blood. Talk about opposite ends of the acting spectrum, and he deftly achieves great success in each. I consider There Will Be Blood to be more of a powerhouse role for Day-Lewis but My Left Foot to be the greater challenge. What Day-Lewis had to do in There Will Be Blood was take command of the screen and he surely did that and then some. I couldn't take my eyes AND ears off of him. How he was able to consistently speak in his John Huston-esque style while delivering such forceful, lengthy monologues is beyond me. There Will Be Blood provided Day-Lewis with what could be a once in a lifetime opportunity for an actor and he capitalized on it. And I prefer "No Country For Old Men" much better as well. A visual powerhouse of not only storytelling but visuals as well. Plus a great supporting cast. Just loved Josh Brolin, Tommy Lee Jones and Javier Bardem. Bardem was rather creepy, but he was excellent. I had always considered "Fargo" to be their best film. I'd really have to say that this film is by far their best film to date. Fargo and Blood Simple were my two favorite Coen Brothers' films until No Country for Old Men came along. No Country for Old Men is a very tense film. I was on the edge of my seat throughout the picture, fearing the worst. It's a very well-acted film, as most Coen brothers films are. "Anton Chigurh" (Javier Bardem) is on the level of "Max Cady" for me. He terrified me. In many ways I see "No Country for Old Men" as a revisitation to themes from earlier Coen brother films like Blood Simple and Fargo. The film's motifs of chance, free-will, and predestination are familiar territory for the Coen Brothers, who presented similar threads and themes of fate and circumstance in those earlier works. I especially loved Chigurh's (Bardem) fate deciding coin flipping. Very nicely said. I completely agree with you. I believe No Country for Old Men successfully combines elements from Blood Simple with Fargo. I also consider No Country for Old Men to be the most philosophical of the Coen Brothers films. I love the ending for this very reason. We are left with a thought.

That dvd was indeed expensive---which is why I bought it during the last deepdiscount sale. If it would show up at my Borders, I'd probably get it. I highly doubt it will show, though, so I'm gonna have to order it on-line and I'll wait until the sale. TLGL took me quite by surprise. I didn't think so much of it when I first saw it years ago (like a lot of Ford's films). Now I find it rather remarkable for many reasons, and more and more so as I return to it. There are some moments of genuine beauty and it's Power's finest hour as an actor. He's a real character and nothing at all like what we've seen before. He plays a "little" man, a very, very ordinary man---and as always, Ford helps us find along with the failures, the good things about a very ordinary man. Maureen, too, is splendid. The story's based on a real person. At the rate I'm going, I could have about 20 Ty Power films on DVD. I think I've only seen two of his films to date, though. Yes, I know I'm pathetic. I love Power in Nightmare Alley. I wish I could see more of that Power, but I know I won't. I've been thinking about getting The Black Swan because of Maureen O'Hara.

Those are wonderful! Thanks for posting them.

He practically was "born in a trunk" or on the stage so acting was in his blood and his birthright. He wanted to do more stage work and to be a real "actor", not a matinee idol. I have always sensed this yearning even in some of his early roles...as though he were trying terribly hard to make good. I find this very attractive about him. This is why I said I enjoy reading your honest opinions and your shared knowledge. I told you that I wasn't a phony. I'm probably going to get The Long Grey Line later this year; maybe during the Deep Discount sale. It's an expensive DVD. I was impressed that Ken listed the film very high on his favorite Ford films list. I also like that "little red-headed lassie."

No, I can't recall her mentioning it---but I feel certain she must have. That's a good bet. I thought about her as I watched it because it was rather poignant to see Tyrone looking more relaxed and comfortable in his skin than ever before in his life. I sense in many ways he was a man coming into his own in his life---personally and professionally---only it was snuffed out before he could enjoy it long. After seeing his work for Ford in The Long Gray Line I could see he had truly great things to look forward to, because he'd have eagerly reached out for the kind of character parts he could sink his teeth into---and gladly shed himself of his glamour boy days. What I know of Tyrone Power is from Chandler on this board. I really love her passion for Power and I'm glad she has had success in sharing her wonderful knowledge of the man. What Chandler wrote about Power that stuck with me the most was how he wanted to break away from all the uninspiring roles he was receiving at Fox. He wanted to become more of a complete actor than just a one-trick pretty boy. I'm guessing he would have received his wish if he hadn't died at such a young age. It's very depressing. I loved the photos you posted, especially the one with his daughters. Very sweet.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on The Rising of the Moon, Miss G. Do you know if Chandler has seen it?

For heavens' sake, that's not snobbery, it's dancing! A country dance! You should appreciate that, aren't you a country boy? It's snobby dancing to the highest degree. I'm a suburban softy. My mom grew up in the "country" and my dad grew up in the "city," so I got a little taste of both worlds. I'm more familiar with country folks than city folks. Here's a country dance...

A great favorite of mine is Claire Trevor's narration over a haunting theremin in Anthony Mann's Raw Deal. "In my heart, I know that this is right for Joe. This is what he wanted."

A dime seems appropriate; I like to charge accordingly, as well... You shouldn't be so tough on yourself, Kimmy Kurtains.

Princesses wear long gloves, too, that doesn't make them femmes fatales. I think you see femmes fatales everywhere you look. You've got them on the brain. But Sweet T is a femme fatale princess whose long black gloves are dripping in blood. She drowns guys with her eyes. No, in chocolate. That's after she drowns them in her eyes. I watched it! I just happened to watch it while holding the FF button down throughout. I've heard that's the best way to watch films It's the best way to watch bloody movies, not bloody good movies. It's also a wonderful way to watch trashy pomp and priss. I mean, look at this snobbery...

What threads!!? Well if you don't know, I'm not going to say. They are easy to find; just look for them. She did no such thing. You probably scared her. Your the one who's going to be drowned. How could I scare her? She's a femme fatale with long black gloves on. She drowns guys with her eyes. You shouldn't say one word about P&P until you've watched it anyway. Your always preaching about being fair...is it fair to criticize a movie you haven't watched? I watched it! I just happened to watch it while holding the FF button down throughout. I've heard that's the best way to watch films.

I find that rather ironic since Kim truly is a tramp. I still cannot believe she can get away with juggling two guys like she does. What a hussy! That reminds me, you still owe me for last night, Scott... Oops, my bad. Here's a dime. I know how much you like the 30s, so I thought I'd pay accordingly. You're a fantastic... reader. Thanks for the story.

Ha haaa!! That's NOT the screencap you KNOW it. However...it is an inspired idea! Inspired ideas are few and far between with you. As you can tell by all the numerous threads I have started on this board, I'm a very inspirational fella. I hope you are taking notes. And yes, the second side-effect IS watching pride and prejudice...perching a cup and saucer of tea on your knee and holding a dainty crumpet. I better put on my manly Gary Cooper lipstick and mascara before I settle in. Tea Time! Where is our little hostess cupcake? She drowned herself. The guilt of being mean to me finally took its toll on her shrimpy body. She couldn't bear telling me how sorry she was for treating me with such disrespect like a British snob at a ball in a Jane Austen novel.

I had to say it twice. It was worth repeating. Now you're repeating yourself! It's one of the first side-effects of my latest potion... Is the second side-effect not watching Pride and Prejudice? That's good, because I'm not a phony Too bad I don't have the North by Northwest dvd or I'd post a screencap from the auction. It has the perfect retort. Retort? There's nothing to retort. You should be in full agreement. I'm not a phony. Here's the screencap you wanted...

That's better. I've decided I like phonies. That's good, because I'm not a phony. All of my contempt for you is very realized, Snipperdoodle. I had to say it twice. It was worth repeating. Message was edited by: FrankGrimes for hateful reasons.

That's better. I've decided I like phonies. That's good, because I'm not a phony. All of my contempt for you is very realized, Snipperdoodle.

OK, Frankengrimes...why is it that whenever you write something nice it sounds phony? Oh, I don't know, O' Sweet and Lovely Goddess. I guess you're gonna have to decide for yourself when and if I'm ever being nice.

Plodding, uninvolving and visually boring study of a totally uninteresting guy. Considering the fact that Day-Lewis was in every frame for 2 and 1/2 hours, it follows that is was not my cup of tea. Day Lewis played the role in a static, never-changing mood...constantly in a near panic, never plumbing for some small element of humanity that would bring this guy to life. I respectfully disagree. I thought There Will Be Blood was visually strong. I believe the look of the film to be one of its greatest assets, especially the scenes involving the derricks. I also respectfully disagree with your assessment of Daniel Plainview (Daniel Day-Lewis). SPOILER. Plainview's personality changes once his long-lost "brother" enters his life. He shows a want for family and he slowly starts to lose his edge. When he figures out the truth about his "brother," he becomes violently angry for allowing himself to be fooled. As a result, he becomes all the more bitter, hateful, and power-starved. "I'm finished." And so he was. As for the film overall, I thought it to be good not great. I much prefer No Country for Old Men to There Will Be Blood and I like P.T. Anderson's Magnolia and Punch-Drunk Love more. The aspects I like most about There Will Be Blood are Daniel Day-Lewis' enthralling performance, the direction, the cinematography, the sound design, and the score. What I don't like about the film is the last act, particularly the ending. I felt it was forced and very heavy-handed. It was too spoonfed for my tastes. I'm still utterly amazed by Daniel Day-Lewis' performance. To hear Day-Lewis speak naturally before or after seeing There Will Be Blood is rather jarring. For him to stay in-character with a character like "Daniel Plainview" for a 3-hour film is truly remarkable; sheer brilliance.

Ciao, BullheadedGREER -- You are bullheaded and you possess awful taste but you are not snippy, pushy, or wrongheaded, Miss Mutt. thats it, i cant hold it in any longer.....im puppy dog pouting! I'll have to add pushy to your list. But why would you wish any harm to me? All I do is lavish you with lovely sentiments. did you just black out, or did you actually pay attention to the first thing you said above this sentence? I said you were bullheaded and that you possess awful taste. Those are lovely sentiments when it comes to you. okay, april, frankenstein is ready and he doesnt suspect a thing......1.... Put your pretend doll down and get back to your room. Ciao, Miss Goddess -- Please be sure to tell us what you think of your new Pappy treats. I'm always interested in hearing your honest opinions.

partir en vacances! That's a step up for me. I'm usually being told, "aller au diable." Well then open your puppy dog eyes, Puppy Dog Eyes. they are open, unfortunately. heehee! Then take your hands away from your puppy dog eyes. Nuh-uh! I'm being very honest. I have only found four caps for Pride and Prejudice on the Net. I'll have to see if I can find any more. you liar you! you know you have seen it, just admit it silly goose or youre gonna sink! I'm being completely honest! That's what I do best. Goodness! So do you think I'm going to dislike Pride and Prejudice even more than Random Harvest? Does "Liza" kill all the snobs with her bow and arrow at the ball? I hope so. Zodiac is a lover's lane film! It's highly romantic. it who's world?! In my world. You should know by now that I'm always right. I'm a guy and you're a girl, and guys are always right. That's the way of things. Don't tell me Jane Austen tells you differently. Have you ever heard of this song, Former Sweet T... yes i have former sweet frankie! I've been singing that one today. What have you been singing? And don't you say Celine Dion.

I'm truly in awe of your film tastes, ChiO. You have definitely opened up some doors for me. The DVD is on Kino International. No commentary, but the special feature is a long, very insightful essay by Ginsberg. I value well-done featurettes just as much as commentaries. The push-pull that you noted was autobiographical, but I imagine it is nearly universal. Don't tell me there are others. There are two early episodes that are very emotionally painful, but moving, with a woman who has cigarette burns on her chest from a man she dated. She begs Joe to "do whatever you want to do to me." He says he'll "do whatever you want." She won't tell him what to do because that ruins the experience for her; he is clueless as to what to do because her desire makes him disinterested. Neither can satisfy the other on any level. That sounds exactly like Blue Velvet. What I like the very most about Blue Velvet is the "relationship" between Kyle McLachlan and Isabella Rossellini. I'm the kind of guy who wants to protect women, so I basically fell for Isabella's character right away and Kyle's character acted similarly to how I'd react in the situation. The emotional and physical luridness is Fuller, but the look, subject and tone are '60s NYC independent filmmaking at its best (or, for some, its worst). Think Garfein (SOMETHING WILD), Clarke (THE CONNECTION), and Cassavetes. A Fuller-Cassavetes hybrid? No wonder you like this film. I hope you like it. I think you will. I love psychological films, so I'm sure I'll find it to be enthralling. I also appreciate creative filmmaking.

Bonjour, Theresa non sucr?es! Vous ?tes en difficult?, parce que vous avez g?r?s en moi. They wear sweet and innocent masks around you, but they are far from that. I'll do my best to save you despite your resistance. ill believe that when i see it Well then open your puppy dog eyes, Puppy Dog Eyes. I have not seen Pride and Prejudice and I shall never. your nose is growing AND your pants are smoking! Nuh-uh! I'm being very honest. I have only found four caps for Pride and Prejudice on the Net. I'll have to see if I can find any more. No, I'm not talking about Smithy's rampage in Random Harvest. I wouldn't watch such trash. not that om actually believeing smithy would ever do such a thing, but you wouldnt watch smithy's rampage, but you WILL watch Zodiac? oh brother! Zodiac is a lover's lane film! It's highly romantic. Have you ever heard of this song, Former Sweet T...

Wow! Coming Apart sounds absolutely fascinating. I'm not only impressed with what you describe but how you describe it, ChiO. Excellent stuff. Thanks for taking the time to post this. I have now added the film to my DVD wish list. Pathetically, there is something you wrote that really hits home with me. Those women who want him cause him to pull away; those who spurn him results in him wanting them. I know those feelings all too well.

Ahhhh, art de la performance.

Howdy, Coop's Indecorous Dame -- In that particular story, Kim is the shoplifter. My character would never do anything so criminal. Instead, she?s just a tramp. I find that rather ironic since Kim truly is a tramp. I still cannot believe she can get away with juggling two guys like she does. What a hussy! Of course, that's better than what I had planned originally . Oh, yes, I have heard of these kind of girls before. Floozies, right? Floozy... floozy... hmmmmm. Now just where have I heard of such a girl before? Hmmmm. Ciao, ButtersweetGENE -- Thanks for sneaking in a Gene Tierney pic, Sweet T.