Just saw "The Departed"

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 4:00pm

I just finished watching "The Departed" after renting it this morning and I have to say it's pretty good. But, seriously . . . Best Picture material? Like many have said in other threads, I have seen this movie before (L.A. Confidential comes to mind). Also, the directing was not that stellar. To me, it seemed like the same camera work was done in "16 Blocks" with Bruce Willis. Even the cinematography looked the same.

But, that aside the acting in it was spot on. Especially Matt Damon. If anyone deserved an Oscar nomination, it would be him.

Updated On: 2/13/07 at 04:00 PM

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 4:04pm

I agree, spider. I think it's better than 16 BLOCKS (which sucked) but I don't see HOW people think this is best picture material.

[tazber]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 4:11pm

I think a lot of it has to do with sentimentality for Scorsesse (sp).

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 4:12pm

Oh yeah . . . this movie was WAY better than "16 Blocks." I was just comparing the camera work and even the cinematography is the same.

Like I said, it was a really good movie but in my opinion, it should not be up for "Best Picture"

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 4:24pm

I could not disagree with you more, spider.

I think the best thing about THE DEPARTED is how much is going on under the surface. The entire film is about the authority figures and power structures ingrained into you as a child.

[cmleidi]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 4:39pm

If it had been directed by an unknown, the film would have disappeared with nary a mention. Since Scorsese directed it, it suddenly becomes so much better than it is. Those praising it never explain why 50 minutes were needed to boost the running time of the original.

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 4:42pm

What are you talking about? It was a long film, yes, because it was exploring the political and psychological undercurrents of its characters' minds with much more depth than another director would have.

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 4:46pm

What I got from the film is people in power playing with other people's minds to do their bidding. Yes, it made the characters doubt those around them and so on . . . but again, so did "L.A. Confidential."

[spiderdj82]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 4:47pm

Again, I am not saying it is a bad movie, because it is not. In fact, I highly enjoyed it . . . but no where near best picture material

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 4:53pm

On top of that, the city of Boston is almost like another character. It's as much about the politics of the city as it is about the characters' dilemmas.

[peach]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 5:03pm

I'm with Sammich on this one. Loved the movie, my pick for best pic.

[cmleidi]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 5:20pm

THE DEPARTED was a remake of INFERNAL AFFAIRS, and there was no reason it had to be so long. The original explored the same issues and did it with a running time that was 50 minutes shorter.

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 6:13pm

I thought every single minute counted. It never dragged and, in fact, is probably the most fast-paced 2 and a half hour movie I've seen since this obscure little Norweigian movie I saw a while back called Pulp Fiction.

[TheHumanTorch]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 6:25pm

peach... i agree... i thought this was the best movie of the year

[sweetestsiren]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 6:27pm

I really loved The Departed. The movie may not have broken any ground (and it's probably pretty difficult to do that at this point), but I thought that it was an incredibly solid, well-made film that deserves a place at the top of its genre. Flawlessly directed, very nicely acted, and well-paced. I'm not sure that it would be my pick to WIN Best Picture, but it certainly deserves a place among the nominees.

[purpleprince101]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 6:33pm

departed not best picture material.....!DREAMGIRLS!
Updated On: 2/13/07 at 06:33 PM

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 6:36pm

I think I'm pissing off everyone around me with how much I talk about/quote DREAMGIRLS.

[broadway86]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 6:36pm

sweetestsiren, I completely agree wit everything you said.

My choice for Picture, Director, and Adapted Screenplay.

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 6:47pm

The Departed is much more Best Picture material than is LMS IMO

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 6:51pm

Yes, because you can compare The Departed and Little Miss Sunshine. *rolls eyes*

[Mr Roxy]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 7:04pm

Amazing how condescending some people can be if you do not agree with them. I know a few people who thought it was OK but not great shakes. You love it great. I do not agree with you but I will not *roll eyes" as you say simply because I do not agree with you

[StickToPriest]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 7:16pm

"Yes, because you can compare The Departed and Little Miss Sunshine. *rolls eyes*"

Isn't that the whole point of the Oscars?
You're comparing movies. The voters have to compare movies, thus they have to compare Best Picture nominee The Departed to Best Picture nominee Little Miss Sunshine even though they are completely different films.

That's why, even though I love them, the Oscars and all arts awards are really silly. So much of it is subjective.

TD and LMS are competing for the title of Best Picture, so (in context of the Oscar race) they have to be comapred to one another. Does it make complete sense considering they both strive for different things? No. But it's the nature of the game.



And for my two cents, I love both of the films, although my top film for 2006 was easily Pan's Labyrinth. None of the nominees even come close.

Updated On: 2/13/07 at 07:16 PM

[blueroses]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 7:31pm

I loved it. Was it my favorite Scorsese pic? No. That would be Goodfellas. But I still thought it was pretty damn great.

I agree with Mr. Roxy...it's really annoying when people get so frigging bent out of shape over a difference of opinion. It's ridiculous. By all means debate. Argue. State your opinion. It's really not that hard to do all that and remain civil.

[Kristie-K2]

Posted: 2/13/07 at 11:56pm

We watched it tonight too. I loved the acting. Leo, Matt and Jack were all wonderful!!

[shesamarshmallow]

Posted: 2/14/07 at 9:23am

Infernal Affairs was an extremely tight movie, but also very confusing. And I actually like the changes they made in the adaptation, most notably in the shrink/wife character who in the original are two different characters.

I think this is a weak year for "best picture" quality movies. The Departed is the nominee I've enjoyed most since Chicago & Moulin Rouge, so it has my (worthless) support.