Posted on 10/18/2008 11:41:53 AM PDT by Publius804
DHP Review: W.
Posted by Dirty Harry on Friday, October 17th, 2008
If the crowd in my theatre is any measure, as I predicted you can expect “W.” to have a good opening weekend. The place was pretty packed. Scattered laughs. Dead silence when it was over, but everyone had already paid their money, right?
“W.” is dreadful. An awful film filled with caricatures, an oppressive, schizophrenic score, claustrophobic feel (due to a low budget), laughably bad dialogue, and an overall sense that it was horribly, horribly rushed.
Sloppy and mean-spirited does not a good movie make. Sure, it looks cheap but the real failure is that ‘W.’ may well be the only film ever made without a shred of character or relationship development. And I’m not just talking about the Bush character. Nothing happens to or between any of the players. Emotionally, the film refuses to budge making for one punishing, derivative scene after another.
“W.” doesn’t bother to tell a life story or concern itself at all with a character examination of our 43rd president. Rather, it’s a hodgepodge collection of every rumor, anecdote, embarrassing moment — real or imagined — thrown into a messy narrative filled with actors whose “performances” (other than Elizabeth Banks, who’s very good as Laura Bush) never rise above impersonation. Thandie Newton’s take on Condi Rice may be the worst performance, well, ever.
(Excerpt) Read more at dirtyharrysplace.com ...
The way they were advertising it on T.V. it sounded like it was Oscar worthy.
Any movie that is heavily advertised on CNN or MSNBC... is guaranteed to be a ham-handed stinker.
Oliver Stone had a total flop with Nixon. I don't see “W” being any better. James Brolin performance as Reagan a few years back was nothing but a silly, dumbass caricature of a great man. I doubt his son Josh is a winner as Dubya. But the liberals will flock to see it anyway.
Just imagine the movie that could be made about Bill Clinton. Where's David Zucker when you need him?
I expect the liberal morons to pack the theaters this weekend. It's one of those liberal "in your face" things to Americans.
Soooooo, it's exactly what most folks expected it to be?
Expect an Oscar nomination or win due to the subject matter. Stone might even walk away with the first Nobel for film making.
Oh yeah, I forgot about the Nobel prize. I’m sure he’ll get that too.
My Husband and I share a birthday (10/18 actally :) Anyway, we were gonna go on a dinner and movie date. Dinner, best seafood in town (Wintzell's) and movie, An American Carol. Well, found out the only theater showing the movie is in Orange Beach...about 30 miles away! Not what we were planning after Hubby had a grueling week at work. We'll see it, just not this weekend. I think the last non animated movie we saw in the theater was sometime back in the 80's!
FWIW, you couldn't pay me enough to see Josh Brolin Streisand attempt at acting.
Given the kind of people who vote on the Oscars, it’ll probably win a boat-load of ‘em.
“Four Stars!” gushes the Boston Globe Workers Circle.
I saw American Carol and thought it was funny. There was such a guilty pleasure snickering at all the un p.c. jokes.
The next “Dune”.
W is only ranked number 2 for Friday according to http://www.the-numbers.com/index.php. Keep not seeing this at least this weekend so it does not make the top 10. At least this movie cannot beat our conservative movie, American Carol that was ranked number 9 (IIRC). If you feel you must see it, at least wait until the bargains about three weeks from now. The last thing we need is for this movie to be a success.
As much as I like her, I won't be seeing "W." I hope that Ollie's feelings aren't hurt too badly.
Mark
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