MUNICH -- first reviews of Speilberg's new Oscarbait...- Page 2

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 12/6/05 at 12:58pm

David Poland now has a review up. It's a tentative rave, though he seems to be holding back - perhaps not wanting to be the first to commit himself to an opinion of the controversial film. He does say, however, that he doesn't think MUNICH is the guaranteed lock for a Best Picture WIN that most have been prediciting, but thinks it will probably be a default winner -- it's serious, it feels important, it's well made by a film maker decidedly "in" the club -- etc, etc. And there isn't anything else out there to really challange it (GEISHA doesn't appear to be getting the kind of reviews it would need to take the big prize).

It would be interesting if something like KING KONG ended up becoming more of a front runner, given that so many of the leading contenders are "hot topic" films.
Updated On: 12/6/05 at 12:58 PM

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 12/6/05 at 1:11pm

I'm usually a Spielberg fan, but I was sorely disappointed in AI and War of the World, and finding The Terminal only slightly better. But I cannot develop an interest in Munich, especially after seeing the riveting documentary One Day in September. After watching all that actual footage of the actual event, a dramatization of the aftermath just seems somewhat trite and anticlimactic, especially if its viewpoint is indecisive. It sounds like something of a politically correct textbook version of events.

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 12/6/05 at 1:51pm

And there isn't anything else out there to really challange it

*cough* BROKEBACK MOUNTAIN *cough cough*

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 12/6/05 at 1:57pm

It's far too early to comment on a front-runner for the Oscars. It's barely legal to mention nominees at this point (although, I think Munich, Brokeback, and Crash are locks at this point).

I can't watch any scene from Brokeback without crying. Literally.

[Plum]

Posted: 12/6/05 at 1:59pm

And The Constant Gardener. Though considering the track record of movies I advocate, it'll probably be half-forgotten.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 12/6/05 at 2:15pm

It's not really too early, seeing as how members of the AMPAS are already being screened all the contenders.

I agree that CRASH is going to be the dark horse nominee. People in the industry can't stop talking about it.

I bet it will be MUNICH, CRASH, BROKEBACK, GEISHA and maybe KONG.

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 12/6/05 at 2:18pm

That sounds like a probable list, MB.

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 12/6/05 at 2:26pm

I think Kong doesn't have the legs to hold out for Oscar nods. I'm betting on either Syriana (given the political tone to it) or Mrs. Henderson Presents (the lighter tonse and Dench's performance may make it appeal to an Academy who need to save face by remembering a comedy).

[Plum]

Posted: 12/6/05 at 2:33pm

Is a dark horse a dark horse when everybody's been yakking about it for months.


Not that I hate Crash or anything.

Okay, I do. *kicks it*

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 12/6/05 at 2:40pm

Let's nominate a Canadian film: A HISTORY OF VIOLENCE or WATER!

**holds up Canadian flag, belts "O Canada!" on Parliament Hill**

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 12/6/05 at 2:44pm

Actually I think Good Night and Good Luck (which I personally didn't particularly care for) might sneak in for the 5th spot over Crash. It's well acted and has that sort of benign sene of importance that the Academy likes, but unlike some of the others, it doesn't offend anyone.

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 12/6/05 at 6:21pm

David Poland of The Hot Button reviews KING KONG and MUNICH, and the Oscar potential of both:

http://www.thehotbutton.com/today/hot.button/index.html

Updated On: 12/6/05 at 06:21 PM

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 12/6/05 at 6:24pm

I am glad that History Of Violence is now off the radar and I'll thank you not to mention it again, Wizard .

[broadway86]

Posted: 12/6/05 at 7:47pm

That's what I mean by not knowing what foot to stand on.

Okay... I'll give you The Terminal and Catch Me If You Can. But, War of the Worlds was a great sci-fi thriller, and I'm fully convinced that A.I. will become a classic.

[popcultureboy]

Posted: 12/6/05 at 7:49pm

If they release a cut that lops off the last 20 minutes or so, AI might stand a chance.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 12/6/05 at 7:49pm

I hated AI with a passion. Just...hated..it.

[broadway86]

Posted: 12/6/05 at 8:03pm

If they release a cut that lops off the last 20 minutes or so, AI might stand a chance.

But, the last 20 minutes of the movie are absolutely necessary to the story.

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 12/6/05 at 8:35pm

What? In what way? Kubrick certainly didn't see a need for them.

Updated On: 12/6/05 at 08:35 PM

[jrb_actor]

Posted: 12/6/05 at 8:37pm

I love AI--as is.

[Roninjoey]

Posted: 12/6/05 at 8:59pm

Bluewizard, Kubrick gave AI to Spielberg for a reason. As he said, Spielberg's sentimentality was more in keeping with the story, and adaptation or no, it is Spielberg's story and he felt it needed the last 20 minutes. I'll take his word over yours ;P

It's a beautiful movie filled with depth and I really don't understand why it is so unpopular. It just kills me. The movie, that is... not its unpopularity... Spielberg still made a ton of money off of it, and I also think it will be considered an overlooked classic years from now.

Crash is a good movie but it bothers me how you can feel the hand of God moving the story the whole time. I'm excited for Munich, still haven't seen Brokeback (it's not even officially out yet, is it?). The Constant Gardener was a critic favorite, but did anybody actually see it? I didn't. But I never go to the movies.

[Plum]

Posted: 12/6/05 at 9:30pm

The hand of God? Is that what we call plot contrivances nowadays?

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 12/6/05 at 9:45pm

As an Israeli citizen i am very interested in seeing how this is received in Israel...even by the left-wingers there. Israel is a politically charged and aware country, unlike the apathetic North Americans. They know their historical facts, and won't do well with bending them for dramatic purposes.

And Bluewizard, as for a Canadian film, I think Crash is the closest we'll get around Oscar time. Writer and Director Haggis is a Canadian.

Akiva

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 12/6/05 at 9:47pm

Roger Friedman at Fox (a total bafoon) has chimed in, nonetheless, with the first real rave for MUNICH -- calling it BEST PICTURE of 2005:

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,177902,00.html

[broadway86]

Posted: 12/6/05 at 10:14pm

Roninjoey-

I agree with EVERYTHING you said about AI. It was, indeed, Kubrick's idea to have the happy ending. I think it's a beautiful movie.

I also think it will be considered an overlooked classic years from now.

Couldn't agree more. To me, it's what cinema is all about: wonder, vision, and ideas.

[Link Larkin Wanabe]

Posted: 12/6/05 at 10:17pm

" "Munich" is "inspired by real events," those being the 1972 murders of the Israeli team in Munich during the Olympics and the fallout that followed. The filmmaker says inspired by and I will take him at his word. There is not going to be anti-"Munich" campaign in which factual details are matched up to the movie's sequences. This is not "A Beautiful Massacre.""

What the f*** does that mean?

Akiva