Into the Woods Official Movie Thread — Page 136

This is very much an ensemble piece. All the actors are mostly good but don't really stand out against some of the other likely contenders this year. While it would be great for the movie to win awards, I doubt it will. I'm just glad that we got a very good and faithful adaptation. I couldn't ask for anything more.

"When the Witch sings "Who out there could love you more than I? What out there that I cannot supply?", she should be desperately sad, not angry like Meryl does it. Her performance is good in the rest of it but not there. She's losing her daughter and wondering why her love isn't enough. Angry doesn't fit that situation."

MagicalMusical, sorry but that is kinda ridiculous. I can understand if you didn't like the choice but it's silly to say "she SHOULD be" a certain emotion. People react to things differently and most people are more layered than just sad or mad. Try reading the the five stages of grief and loss. Anger comes right after Denial. Meryl Streep is not the second coming but lets not give someone of her experience a line reading…

ShakinBacon: Blunt is actually really great. I wouldn't say she was upstaged by the other characters. I just think the part of the Baker's Wife lost a bit of its charm in the crossover.

Updated On: 11/23/14 at 12:05 PM

I think MagicalMusical couldn't be more off the mark with his comments re "Stay with Me." There's so much anger in that song, there's a lot of fear and jealousy which often manifests itself through anger. Not only do I think it's a valid interpretation of the song, but a genius one.
It sounds like the movie is a bit polarizing much like LES MIS. Chalk up a 19th Oscar nod to Streep, wonder if Blunt can crack the top 5 for actress.

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I agree with those who support Meryl's emotions/acting in Stay With Me...it is my favorite interpretation!

Some more positive reviews:
Brad Bessey ?@BradBessey 33m33 minutes ago

@AnnaKendrick47 You're #brilliant in @IntoTheWoods. The subtleties in acting & singing: stuff fairytales are made of. @etnow #annakendrick
Gregg Kilday ?@gkilday 56m56 minutes ago

#IntoTheWoods has made the transition to screen intact and full of life. A real pleasure, both clever and heartfelt.
gregoryellwood ?@HitFixGregory 1h1 hour ago Burbank, CA

Meryl Streep and Chris Pine are the standouts in Into the Woods. Steep is fantastic.
Pete Hammond ?@DeadlinePete 58m58 minutes ago

Rob Marshall's Into The Woods is the most dazzling screen musical since his own Oscar winning Chicago. Sublime Sondheim. A true winner.
Emily Turner @emilycturner · 21m 21 minutes ago

Meryl killed it. Lilla was perfection. #IntoTheWoods is the best.
Emily Turner @emilycturner · 3m 3 minutes ago

But actually the highlight of #IntoTheWoods was EVERYTHING!
Lisa McMullan @LisaMcMullan · Nov 22

You guys. @IntoTheWoods was even more perfect than I could have hoped. #IWish

Nancy Friedman @Hip2Housewife · 12h 12 hours ago

"I wish" everyone could see @intothewoods,like I did last night. Fairytale cast. Magical art direction. Sondheim. Streep. Perfect.
Alexandra Cutler @cutleralexandra · 10h 10 hours ago

Saw an advanced screening of @IntoTheWoods! SO good and beautifully done! #Intothewoods #merylstreep
Joel Dommel @Joel_Dommel · 10h 10 hours ago

Saw an advanced screening of #IntoTheWoods last night. Very well done. Finally, a good movie…
natalia bozika ?@nataliaboz 2m2 minutes ago

Anyways the whole cast of #IntoTheWoods was amazing especially #MerylStreep and #JamesCorden haha I laughed so much with those 2! Can't wait
Doreen Spicer ?@DoreenSpicer 6m6 minutes ago

Another great performance. #IntoTheWoods. #MerylStreep
Twiniversity ?@Twiniversity 8m8 minutes ago

Saw it! Can't wait to tell you all about it. Meeting the cast tomorrow! #intothewoods
Erich Bergen @erichbergen · 49m 49 minutes ago

In case you're wondering, #IntoTheWoods is spectacular.

Tumblr:
Oh, I should also mention that Into The Woods was AMAZING. And it’s true what’s being said: Chris completely stole the show.


Imdb:
"And where do I begin!

First and foremost, you have to go with mind set that this a MOVIE adaptation of a STAGE show that is so well loved by so many who may struggle with this, me included having seen the OBC taping over a 100 times. Let me relieve your doubts by saying this is by far the best/true to the original version of of a stage version I have seen!

Secondly, for anyone who was able to read the "leaked" early version of the screenplay...it was an EARLY version and I would guess only about 50-60% of that version remained with many of the changes done so much better than what was originally envisioned. Kudos to Stephen & James for this incredibly hard task.

I want to give so much detail about what I saw but do not know how much to reveal without pissing off those who may not want to hear what is in the final version. (I saw it with a lot of "industry" people in NYC with a lot of them from ABC/Disney). If this is not critically liked/loved I will be shocked. My guess is about a 75-80 on Rotten Tomatoes.

ACTING: A+ (everyone cast was perfect for their respective parts even though some of you saw "others" in some roles)

SINGING: A (what you heard in the "leaked" snippets of songs are the real deal and are even SO much better in the larger format)

SET DESIGN/COSTUMES/WIGS/SPECIAL EFFECTS: A+ (many Oscar nominations here!)

DIRECTING: A (Rob took many of the scenes and opened them up to visually stunning/acted scenes that you "felt" like you were in
the middle of the woods with them)

Several things that some of you have been worried about are answered in very appropriate ways I.e. Rapunzals fate, how Last Midnight was filmed and how No More was done. I think most will be happy.

Not everyone will agree with me and that is totally acceptable as we all see things with different eyes/mind sets. Just go knowing you are in for a treat and it is so fast paced you are shaking your heads when it is over. (The running time is 2:05 and the cut songs/scenes that have been made to achieve this are done with no issues from me).

I LOVE this show and I did not know what to expect even with the various clips/songs we have heard just hoping it was done with the appreciation/respect to the original. It has succeeded.

If there are any specific questions that some of you need answered, I will do my best to answer without "spoiling" it for others. I've never used the spoiler function on this so I may have to do so.

Hope this was helpful in some way and makes the anticipation even greater, just sorry you all have to wait another month! It will come sooner than you think with the holiday season taking up some of your time. ENJOY!!!"

The irony: this is the weakest year for Best Actress since Louise Fletcher won for a truly supporting role "Cuckoo's Nest," everyone agrees. (Quick, name 5 candidates for the category. In ... like two hours, not two minutes; movies you've actually seen, not heard about coming out for one week in December; good luck). So, Streep might've gone into the Best Actress category and even won the damned thing. I would vote for anyone to keep Rosamund Pike from nailing it. But damned, she might. Streep may belong there after all. Too bad.

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Updated On: 11/23/14 at 08:25 PM

The Anniston film has weak to bad press, and barely anyone has yet gone to see the Swank (and it has yet to end up in the SAG screeners, the most important factor, folks, screeners, always). Yes, this is the weakest year in decades, this close to the cut-off. Streep wouldn't likely win, but if the Witch performance ends up as touted as it has been from he screenings, sure, she might've secured a place. She got one last year and many critics loathed her work in AUGUST: OSAGE (go back and check). The other actresses are in projects most people have yet to see, as of 11/23. It's up for grabs. Again, keep an eye on those screeners. I'm in the WGA, and I can tell you: the screeners writers have received prove this is a bizarre year.

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Updated On: 11/23/14 at 08:53 PM

SPOILERS for those who still have never seen Into the Woods in any format ...



Even if Emily Blunt is considered "award worthy" in this movie, she has a "category identity" problem. The Baker's Wife is definitely the leading lady for 2/3 of the story, and then she dies and isn't on screen again until the finale.

So is she leading or supporting? Disney will undoubtably push her into the leading category to keep her out of Streep's way as Best Supporting Actress, but that doesn't mean Academy voters will buy it.

Also she disappears for the LAST part of the story. It's different when a leading lady is introduced late and then dominates the plot for the remainder the film. They leave a bigger impression as a character. But when you check out long before the end, people are more likely to think of her as supporting even with a heavy campaign push into the other category.

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Just saw an "Into The Woods" commercial during the AMA's! I'm too excited for this film!

The Baker's wife is in a weird position, category placement wise. I doubt she will get nominated at all but if she does, I still think it will be leading. Only because supporting actress is packed.

People at the Oscars don't get "submitted" for a specific category; the Academy member has the option to nominate a performer in whatever gender-specific category they like. The studios and actors campaign for specific categories, but it's up to the voters to decide whether to follow that or not. Campaigns are often ignored; for example, Kate Winslet heavily campaigned for supporting for her movie THE READER, and she was submitted as such for the Globes, but voters rightfully placed her in lead for the Oscars and she eventually won the whole thing.

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I actually LOVED THE READER and Kate in it. It was a daring film,

and IMHO Kate deserved the OSCAR even though Angelia was really good in Changeling. It was a great year for Stephen for Billy and The Reader

Updated On: 11/24/14 at 12:16 AM