Heath Ledger: anyone see today's Times? — Page 2

#26

re: Heath Ledger: anyone see today's Times?

Posted: 12/28/05 at 5:37pm

It's actually a brilliant move by Ledger's people, in the same vein as the marketing done by Miramax to push for Paltrow's Oscar for Shakespeare in Love. I clearly remember thinking Paltrow was perfectly fine in the movie. Then I saw a Miramax ad in Variety. It was in fourths, each featuring a picture of Gwynnie as one of her 'characters' (her female self, the male she pretended to be, Romeo and Juliet), and I thought, 'DAMN, SHE DID A LOT IN THAT MOVIE!' Didn't actually make the movie or her performance better...it was just brilliant marketing.

As is juxtaposing Ledger's BBM performance with his CASANOVA turn. He'll never be nommed for CASANOVA, but putting his BBM performance (which was terrific, even though I have major reservations about the movie) in relief to his 'other side' makes people say, 'WOW! He's a GREAT actor.' And it makes them check off the little box on the Oscar ballot for Mr. Ledger.

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"I'm so looking forward to a time when all the Reagan Democrats are dead."

#27

re: Heath Ledger: anyone see today's Times?

Posted: 12/28/05 at 8:38pm

So who's gonna win the Oscar? Heath or Phillip Seymour?

Not to be too literal in the analogy dept, but Phillip is in the Annette Benning position, Heath the Hillary Swank. Heath snuck up at the end of the year. I don't think people expected his performance to be singled out from the synergy with Jake (who I believe underestimated in the film.)

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"I'm a comedian, but in my spare time, things bother me." Garry Shandling

#28

re: Heath Ledger: anyone see today's Times?

Posted: 12/28/05 at 10:51pm

the times review is online. its actually a critic's pic!
NY Times review

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"Beating AIDS and extreme, stupid poverty, this is our moon shot. This is our civil rights struggle, our anti-apartheid movement. This is what the history books will remember our generation for--or blame us for, if we fail."-Bono

#29

re: Heath Ledger: anyone see today's Times?

Posted: 12/29/05 at 12:34am

I have my bets on Ledger. Hoffman may have the more impressive oeuvre, but he's not campaigning for an Oscar or making the rounds to get his name on the minds of voters. There's a lot more press and hype behind Ledger's performance, and the fact that he married his co-star and that they recently had a baby could only endear him further to the Academy.

Either way (and this is really a two-horse race), an actor will win the Oscar for playing a gay man.

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BlueWizard's blog: The Rambling Corner HEDWIG: "The road is my home. In reflecting upon the people whom I have come upon in my travels, I cannot help but think of the people who have come upon me."

#30

re: Heath Ledger: anyone see today's Times?

Posted: 12/29/05 at 12:48am

I'm saying it now- Ledger will bring home the Oscar.

#31

re: Heath Ledger: anyone see today's Times?

Posted: 12/29/05 at 12:50am

I hope he does. I saw Brokeback again today.

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A work of art is an invitation to love.

Updated On: 12/29/05 at 12:50 AM

#32

re: Heath Ledger: anyone see today's Times?

Posted: 12/29/05 at 12:58am

*dons asbestos helmet*

I finally saw Brokeback Mountain tonight, and Ledger's performance didn't scream "Oscar winner" to me. I'm wondering how much of the awards talk is the male equivalent of "Nicole Kidman wore a fake nose" syndrome. That is, how much of the praise directed at Ledger is due to his subverting his established star persona, and how much of it is actually due to the performance itself, free of the context of his past?

#33

re: Heath Ledger: anyone see today's Times?

Posted: 12/29/05 at 1:09am

The AP weighs in on the growing success. Snippet:

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The film expanded to 69 theaters the following week, then to 217 over the holiday weekend, reaching suburban audiences in Portland, Dallas, Denver and Atlanta.

The gradual release allows moviegoers to talk up the film's appeal, Foley said.

And it seems to be working.

"This is a film that builds through word of mouth and critical acclaim," Dergarabedian said. "People want to see what all the fuss is about."

Response has been so robust that distributors are expanding the film's rollout ahead of schedule. It will show on 269 screens this Friday, and reach an additional 80 markets the following week, Foley said.
'Brokeback' a Quiet Box Office Boon

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#34

re: Heath Ledger: anyone see today's Times?

Posted: 12/29/05 at 1:15am

I think Ledger's performance in BROKEBACK ranks up there with the likes of a Brando or Pacino at their peak. It's also reminiscent of James Dean. It's a powerful and memorable performance that deserves to be recognized. Philip Seymour-Hoffman's performance in CAPOTE was superb, as well. And Joaquin Phoenix was also excellent in WALK THE LINE. It's going to be a tight race. But Ledger get's my vote.

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Updated On: 12/29/05 at 01:15 AM

#35

re: Heath Ledger: anyone see today's Times?

Posted: 12/29/05 at 9:34pm

As one who has followed Ledger's career ademently, I think his best performance ever was actually in "The Four Feathers." He was amazing in BBM but I really loved him in Feathers.

#36

casanova

Posted: 12/29/05 at 10:35pm

i just saw casanova and was pleasantly surprised! i went with a friend who REAAALLY wanted to go and i thought it would be full of fluff and it did had some, but it was really good and i enjoyed it nonetheless! it was really romantic and just stunning to look at! and the music that went with it was marvelous as well, the ball was beautiful! so give it a chance and though it wont be thought provoking and the greatest thing you'll ever seen-give it a chance and go see Casanova! also, i was quite surprised at how funny it was!

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"Beating AIDS and extreme, stupid poverty, this is our moon shot. This is our civil rights struggle, our anti-apartheid movement. This is what the history books will remember our generation for--or blame us for, if we fail."-Bono

#37

casanova

Posted: 12/29/05 at 11:45pm

Well, if the word of mouth is good I just might eat my words and go see this movie. Is it more in the vein of SHAKESPEARE IN LOVE or the anachronistic A KNIGHT'S TALE?

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BlueWizard's blog: The Rambling Corner HEDWIG: "The road is my home. In reflecting upon the people whom I have come upon in my travels, I cannot help but think of the people who have come upon me."

#38

casanova

Posted: 12/29/05 at 11:46pm

I watched A Knight's Tale today. heh.

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A work of art is an invitation to love.

#39

casanova

Posted: 12/29/05 at 11:55pm

hmm i dont remember a lot of shakespeare in love, but it did remind me a teeny bit of a knights tale. he is in almost every scene

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"Beating AIDS and extreme, stupid poverty, this is our moon shot. This is our civil rights struggle, our anti-apartheid movement. This is what the history books will remember our generation for--or blame us for, if we fail."-Bono

Updated On: 1/6/06 at 11:55 PM

#40

casanova

Posted: 12/30/05 at 12:05am

*sigh* How I love A Knight's Tale :)

#41

casanova

Posted: 12/30/05 at 10:11am

I think Heath's got a great shot, and the edge over PSH because Brokeback will almost certainly be up for Best Pic, where Capote likely won't. You have a better shot when your movie is also nominated. He also has Casanova to balance him out and as Auggie said, it shows him off as an actor. But PSH is still in it for sure. I also think Joaquin could get a big boost from the Globes if he wins. IF he wins.

#42

casanova

Posted: 12/30/05 at 10:55am

Yeah, at this point BB is the picture to beat. What's its competition? Before the releases, people were betting on KONG to make a showing. I think it will win one award, FX. BB is in the MILLION DOLLAR BABY slot, the "small" film (14 million) that sneaks in at year's end. Interestingly, both years were otherwise weak for consnsus pictures--the "must win" Oscar type. Keep your eye on 1/16, when the Globes are handed out.

And as with a couple of critics awards, look for Jake to be pushed, now, as "supporting." He isn't supporting -- he half carries the picture -- but it's Ennis's story in many ways (even per the short story).

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"I'm a comedian, but in my spare time, things bother me." Garry Shandling

#43

casanova

Posted: 12/31/05 at 1:11am

BB is in the MILLION DOLLAR BABY slot, the "small" film (14 million) that sneaks in at year's end.

I don't know if that's the case. There's a fear that BROKEBACK might be this year's SIDEWAYS -- the critically-lauded film whose momentum peaked too early.

I think KONG will also win Best Sound Effects -- it's causing quite a stir with sound engineers. It might nab Best Sound as well, since those two awards usually go hand in hand.

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BlueWizard's blog: The Rambling Corner HEDWIG: "The road is my home. In reflecting upon the people whom I have come upon in my travels, I cannot help but think of the people who have come upon me."

#44

casanova

Posted: 12/31/05 at 8:15am

Excellent point, Bluewizard. BABY had a beloved member of the old world/new world at its center, Eastwood. And a long unrewarded actor in a supporting role. Despite Lee's being respected, BROKEBACK -- cast with young people -- has none of that burnished gold. SIDEWAYS was the critics' darling. I remember its backlash (everything has one). People got tired of being shoved down their throats, and Giamatti didn't end up with a nomination. I'm just not aware of voting populace in the academy, how they will see BROKEBACK. They don't always run with the critics. On the other hand, what a lean year, despite all the releases. (unrelated, but related: Look at how few movies featured truly memorable female performances...)

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"I'm a comedian, but in my spare time, things bother me." Garry Shandling

#45

casanova

Posted: 12/31/05 at 11:38am

Sounds like Casanova is getting really good reviews...

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A work of art is an invitation to love.

#46

casanova

Posted: 12/31/05 at 11:49am

Other possible Best Picture nominees include Match Point, Walk the Line, Good Night and Good Luck and Munich. Crash or King Kong might slip in as well.

#47

casanova

Posted: 12/31/05 at 12:28pm

yup. CNN gave it good reviews as well! i really hope it does well; good change of pace from all the serious stuff out there


has anyone else here seen it yet?

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"Beating AIDS and extreme, stupid poverty, this is our moon shot. This is our civil rights struggle, our anti-apartheid movement. This is what the history books will remember our generation for--or blame us for, if we fail."-Bono

Updated On: 12/31/05 at 12:28 PM

#48

casanova

Posted: 12/31/05 at 12:40pm

Back on the last page I mentioned I saw it. I liked it for the most part. Thought it was fun.

#49

casanova

Posted: 1/4/06 at 11:36pm

Something no one mentioned yet: CAPOTE nabbed a PGA nomination. If it nabs a DGA nomination tomorrow (which would most likely mean an Oscar nod, too), then Philip Seymour Hoffman is most likely going to win Best Actor.

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BlueWizard's blog: The Rambling Corner HEDWIG: "The road is my home. In reflecting upon the people whom I have come upon in my travels, I cannot help but think of the people who have come upon me."

#50

casanova

Posted: 1/5/06 at 1:20am

Plum, I couldn't agree with you more!

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"Two drifters off to see the world. There's such a lot of world to see. . ."