|
Audio Asylum Thread Printer Get a view of an entire thread on one page |
For Sale Ads |
108.81.116.219
Branagh needs to keep it on the stage or set in Scandanavia. When he gets involved things spin like a wobbly top. I could no more except him as Poirot as I could as Reinhard Heydrich. He has given us not a retelling but reimagined Agatha Christie tale that is rich with color, drone cinematagrophy, racial diversity, and political correctness. I lost count of the references to "race" in the script that somehow Branagh and the writer thought Christie would have included if she had just finished the book this year.
Lots of nice cinematograpy and glorious CGI serve as a backdrop for his less than inspired cast to play their parts. So many of the ensemble walked periously close to the phone booth and Depp's character was truly despicable. Maybe too despicable. I have trouble remembering who was the standout but Daisy Ridley was clearly intended to be in the spotlight.
I guess my bowels are in an uproar over Branagh himself and the unnecessary social engineering heaped into the script. Let's just tell a story as it was written without reordering it to fit the social landscape.
Many will want to see a nice, lush, clean film as the holidays start. That audience will get clean language, a few bits of high brow humor, and pretty art direction. Those faithful to Ms Christie may be disappointed.
Flip a coin between walking in and waiting for cable. And Kenny, reconsider acting and directing simultaneoulsy.
Follow Ups:
We were intrigued by the cast, and Mr. Branaugh's involvement. Saw in the credits that Ridley Scott is a Producer.
Beautifully photographed, with a reasonable budget to ensure that visual details were not overlooked. The movie was not well edited. Lots of purely gratuitous scenes that only served to further establish setting. By my estimate about 10-15min could have been trimmed, leaving a leaner better paced film.
The first portion reminded me of an Indiana Jones movie. The rest of an English Drawing Room drama, or a live action adaptation of the game "Clue".
Many of the characters were caricatures, with some of the actors shredding footage. Not a lot of emotion, but Europeans are supposed to be "restrained" compared to us vulgar Americans. Who knew everyone in the 30's was a racist, and very quick to assign malevolent intent to the lower ethnic classes? Oh wait...are we supposed to think not much has changed ????
Hint of a sequel at the end.
Could have been an adult respite from all of the kiddy and testosterone films of the season. And it may succeed because of its contrast to the competition.
I was left with the feeling that it could have been better. Not a waste of money- but not a must see.
But no examples. Am having a hard time figuring out what it could be - is Poirot a tranny in this version?
"To Learn Who Rules Over You, Simply Find Out Who You Are Not Allowed to Criticize."
-Voltaire
Thinking of Maltese Falcon, Casablanca, Big Sleep, African Queen, Sierra Madre, etc and any. I don't recall any that made it into the remake hopper.
...and that's it....I think. It was a 'Phillip Marlow' novel written by Raymond Chandler. A popular writer of detective novels.Mitchum starred in another movie based on a Chandler novel; Farewell My Lovely. 1975.
IIRC I enjoyed both of the Mitchum films noted. The screen play on The Big Sleep differs quite a lot from the earlier Bogart/Bacall version.
fwiw Mitchum did another detective film, this time based in Japan, called "The Yakuza". 1974. A Harry Kilmer novel. I'm not sure this movie holds up well but at the time I found it to be an exciting glimpse into Japanese gangster culture. Directed by Sydney Pollack. That movie was/is wicked and sobering in a dismembering sort of way. ;^)
Good stuff.
-Steve
Edits: 11/14/17
Man, you guys are harsh...laughing...
final episodes of the Series, 2 hour episodes.
I believe he made three Poirot features and the early eighties and did a fussy and overly dignified man of detection. IMDb has an excellent bio of Ustinov which reminds one of how much of a Renaissance dewd he really was.
...
Much easier than trying to come up with something original.
Can't wait for remakes of Taxi Driver, Chinatown, Deer Hunter, Sophie's Choice, It's a Wonderful World, Apocalypse Now and To Kill a Mokingbird!
Give it time, give it time.
"Once this was all Black Plasma and Imagination" -Michael McClure
or, at least that's what I think.
(nt)
.
When he wanted to record the Rachmaninov's 2nd concert he was asked similar question: there are already almost 200 recordings.
My problem is not the remakes per se, it is their quality.
In some cases it is higher, than the original's.
/
.
Edits: 11/13/17
When are they going to make a 'modern' Anna Karenina, Jane Eyre, Rebecca ,Miss Marple et al.
Bill
Just watched it again after 25 years - and this time, I am more sympathetic to the Captain Bligh than Fletcher. Hopkins performance was masterful!
his Poirot is awful though...
...guess they wanted to give all those high powered Hollywood stars something to do.
Reviews have been brutal - "Trainwreck!"
FAQ |
Post a Message! |
Forgot Password? |
|
||||||||||||||
|
This post is made possible by the generous support of people like you and our sponsors: