Marshall's GEISHA crashes and burns- Page 2

[touchmeinthemorning]

Posted: 12/9/05 at 11:13am

And Crash is being screened for voters. So, it seems like it can't be forgotten.

[yodamarie78]

Posted: 12/9/05 at 11:17am

I'm seeing this movie tonight. I'm hoping that I'll still like it, but EW's review makes me nervous, I almost always agree with Lisa Schwarzbaum. I love the novel so I hope it does well.

[Michael Bennett]

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

Well GEISHA seems out of the race, and even MUNICH seems to be losing ground as a lock status (according to Jeffrey Wells). I think anything is possible, but I think KONG is prety much locked in at this point. It's going to be the highest grossing film of the year and very possibly one of the two or three best reviewed films of the year.

I heard one industry person quickly dismiss any notion that this is a remake. "No," he said "it's an amazing homage to one of the classic films of all time." If the Academy sees it like that -- it could very well avoid the stigma of being a popcorn flick.

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 12/9/05 at 12:21pm

Speaking of MUNICH, an Israeli diplomat finally chimes in.
An Israeli Perspective on New Spielberg Political Thriller

[broadway86]

Posted: 12/9/05 at 1:42pm

It received *1/2 from TheMovieBoy...

"Memoirs of a Geisha" is a sparkler to look at—the images come alive through the technical work of cinematographer Dion Beebe (2004's "Collateral") and art directors Patrick M. Sullivan Jr. (2005's "The Weather Man") and Tomas Voth (2001's "Ali")—but an inert, jumbled mess from a narrative standpoint. More lugubrious and sleep-inducing than emotionally intoxicating, the film struggles to find meaning in the life of Sayuri when, judging from what is on screen, there isn't any. Adding insult to injury, the incredibly pat conclusion follows the old adage that "all you need is love," which all the more denigrates Sayuri's willful claims throughout that she wants "a life that is mine." Misguided in the extreme as it takes a whole lot of lazy shortcuts in presenting its story, a more fitting title for "Memoirs of a Geisha" would have been "Cliffs Notes of a Geisha."

[EvelynNesbit1906]

Posted: 12/9/05 at 2:14pm

If any of this proves true for me when I see the film Sunday, I just might let out a primal scream in the theater.

[sabrelady]

Posted: 12/9/05 at 2:22pm

I have a feeling this is just not the right time for this film and it will be reassessed in a couple of years. Just not the right "mood" for the times.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 12/11/05 at 2:33am

I saw this tonight - and believe me - I was reluctant to after reading all this banter.

However, I find most of the bad reviews - including references to MOMMIE DEAREST - to be completely off the mark. Did Dame and I see something completely different from the critis?

I found all of the acting brilliant - and visually, it's the most pristine and aesthetically pleasing film to come along in years. Don't be so quick to dismiss this from the Oscars - and please, don't dismiss this based on bad reviews. It's fantastic.

[EvelynNesbit1906]

Posted: 12/11/05 at 3:16am

I'm so glad you liked it. Honestly, at this point I'm going to take every positive review that I read to heart. This isn't a film that I can feel good or even okay about disliking. (I mean, up until this point, there were no negative feelings whatsoever associated with it. Dare I bring up the metaphor of having an atomic bomb dropped on me while I'm riding my bike with my arms outstretched...)

What's interesting about the Mommie Dearest comparisons is that they require seeing Gong Li as the center of the film, when she's supposedly a supporting character. But whatever... numerous other reviews have buzzed Gong Li for the Best Supporting Actress Oscar. Strange that the sources that liked it the most are supposedly the most important - The Hollywood Reporter and Variety - but they don't seem too influential in this case.

Apparently, the Hollywood Foreign Press does not agree with that RottenTomatoes rating.

(I'm going to feel so stupid if I come back disliking it.)

[melissa errico fan]

Posted: 12/11/05 at 8:51am

The acting was quite brilliant---Gong Li is incredible, as usual, and Ziyi Zhang gives a true star performance---but the movie never goes anywhere. It's a shame.

[Unmasked05]

Posted: 12/11/05 at 9:11am

I LOVED IT "GEISHA" was GREAT

[Cruel_Sandwich]

Posted: 12/11/05 at 10:27am

"I guess those rumors about CHICAGO being largely saved in the editing room were true."

Aren't ALL movies "largely saved" in the editing room?

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 12/11/05 at 11:19am

I saw this film yesterday. EvelynNesbit, I think you'll enjoy it -- it's a competent adaptation of the book. I don't quite understand the comparisons to MOMMIE DEAREST, since Gong Li's Hatsumomo really is supporting; Michelle Yeoh's Mameha is much more important.

What hobbles the film is too much exposition. The minute details of geisha culture may be fascinating on the page, but really cripple the movie's pace. The film doesn't really get going until Michelle Yeoh's entrance, and the strategic games between the warring geishas are the most entertaining section of the narrative. The plethora of different accents was distracting, and John Williams' score is, unfortunately, a cheap rip-off of CROUCHING TIGER's score, right down to the Asian drum rhythms and Yo Yo Ma.

There are strong performances all round, but I was most surprised by Zhang Ziyi, whose charm and star quality was enough to hold my attention for the entire film. It was also nice that the young Sayuri (Chio?)'s performance matched Ziyi's perfectly in consistency. Michelle Yeoh and Gong Li were wonderful, but have given more interesting performances in the past.

If you're a fan of the book, there's very little to complain about in the movie. But I don't see this being an Oscar contender except for the technicals; it's too conventional a film to be held up as one of the year's best.

Updated On: 12/11/05 at 11:19 AM

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 12/11/05 at 5:42pm

"it's too conventional a film to be held up as one of the year's best."

That's perfectly put. The same with "Walk the Line" and "cinderella man" for me.

[EvelynNesbit1906]

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

WHOA.
Memoirs of a Geisha.
OUTSTANDING.
The critical reaction to this is just bizarre.
Ovation at my screening in Chicago - and there was no one involved in the film present. Michael Wilmington (the Chicago Tribune film critic) was there, however. He came alone.
The movie was so damn good.
The accents were not a problem.
There was one time when I was a little confused by what a character said, but that's it... one time.
The music was so effective; you will never be lost.
It's very moving. Not boring AT ALL. I leaned forward for the entire film. So did a number of other people.
The relationship between Sayuri and the Chairman did catch fire. The point for most of the movie was that Sayuri's profession didn't allow her to be particularly forward with her emotions; she was subtle when she needed to be but has some dynamite moments of passion, especially in the third act.
Watch out for Gong Li and Youki Kodoh as the best supporting players. Michelle Yeoh was great too but Hatsumomo and Pumpkin are obviously the sassiest characters.
The critical reaction is a total wtf.
I was blown away. And yes, people cried during this movie. Post-screening comments were very positive, from both men and women.

This is definitely going to make my top five list, maybe even sit comfortably at #1. I loved Howl's Moving Castle and Chronicles of Narnia too, but whereas there werer some moments of pathos and not-so-subtle politics in those that had me rolling my eyes, Geisha always hit its marks. The comparisons between Gong Li and Faye Dunaway are nuts; Marshall and Swicord (the screenwriter) do not linger on her antics. It's also very clear that she behaves out of insecurity and is aware of how foolish her actions are but (like a typical drunk) can't figure out how to control them.

A+ from me. A rave.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 12/12/05 at 12:14am

I agree, although I would give a supporting actress nod to the little girl rather than to the couple you mentioned.

There were grown men I saw crying - I've nveer seen that in a movie before.

[EvelynNesbit1906]

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

I really liked Suzuka Ohgo as Chiyo/young Sayuri, too. Will be a pity if she doesn't at least get some Best Young Actress nods.

Another thing: The art direction in this film? Is actually better than I thought it would be, if you can imagine that. I always expected it to be great but I was particularly amazed by the outdoor scenes (you know the ones that some critics claim aren't in the film).

The film also isn't aimless or lacking in substance. Its (simple but true) point is that in the face of a great deal of adversity, single acts of kindness are important and memorable for the long term. I was also fascinated by the running theme of negotiating a life goal against constantly changing circumstantances, esp. historic ones.
Updated On: 12/12/05 at 12:55 AM

[TheQuibbler]

Posted: 12/12/05 at 1:30am

I read the book recently and thought it was fantastic. I'm very excited to see the movie.

[BlueWizard]

Posted: 12/12/05 at 1:51am

I'm glad you enjoyed it, EvelynNesbit. I knew you would.

The movie is a very faithful adaptation of the book, and it seems most people's gripe with the film is really with the source material: there's a whole lot of exposition, it plods along and doesn't have a clearly directed narrative, it's a blatantly exoticized, Western approach to geisha culture....all criticisms that could (and have) been thrown at Golden's novel. I think anyone who loved the book would love the film, and those who didn't enjoy the film probably would have hated the book, too.

I only wish they had shown Hatsumomo really going insane. No one plays crazy like Gong Li.

[munkustrap178]

Posted: 12/12/05 at 3:03am

The scene where Sayuri performed with all the snow falling down is one of the most breathtaking and beautifully shot scenes I've ever seen.

[Love4Cheno]

Posted: 12/12/05 at 9:16am

I agree with munk, about that scene. In fact, the novel emphasises the dance performances so much, that I was really hoping for more of that.

This particular scene gave me chills throughout.

[Chloe]

Posted: 12/12/05 at 11:48am

Interesting. Any number of people have wept during the RENT movie, and I was at a screening in which there were cheers and applause throughout. Just as many critics loved it as hated it - they were pretty much split fifty/fifty. Yet some of you can just dismiss it as "obviously" bad. When it comes to a movie that YOU like however, how quickly the tables are turned.

[EvelynNesbit1906]

Posted: 12/12/05 at 12:42pm

Rent has definite problems on a technical level such as shooting the exterior of building for seconds at a time while someone is inside singing (camera should be on him), shots going blurry or totally dark, and songs directed everywhere but where they're supposed to be directed (read: What You Own). Memoirs of a Geisha does not have these problems.

I hope this does not become a Memoirs v. Rent thread. Rent's almost a month old now. On with the discussion of December releases.

FYI: Memoirs just made NBR's top ten and Gong Li won supporting actress.

[luvtheEmcee]

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

I want to see the movie, but I've never read the book. I usually like to see adapted movies only if I've read the book first. For those of you who have done both, do you think I'll gain all that much from reading the book first, or should I just see it?

[EvelynNesbit1906]

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

I read the book almost five years ago. The movie stands on its own; it's not necessary to read the book in order to appreciate it (in fact, some of the most intense scenes are not in the book).

Overall, I think it's a good thing that I had read the book some years ago because I remembered loving it and therefore wanted to feel good about the film, but so many years have passed since I read it that I couldn't tell which parts were faithful to the novel and which weren't...

ETA: Sometimes I obviously could tell which parts weren't faithful and I remembered the characters (or their core values and features) very well. But for the most part, it felt like a new experience.
Updated On: 12/12/05 at 12:49 PM