When I first sat down to watch The Tree of Life back when it first came out, I honestly found it pretty tedious and a bit of a struggle to get through :kolikojošdokraja:. However, I decided to give it another shot last year, and I ended up being absolutely floored by it. There were certain scenes that actually gave me chills because they felt so incredibly close to perfection, and ever since then, I've genuinely considered it one of the finest films of this decade. It’s really the only movie where a second viewing left me with such a completely different impression. I suppose we'll see how it goes with this one, but I definitely plan on watching the whole thing.
It was an excellent film, honestly quite different from what some people here might expect when dealing with this kind of subject matter—which I mean in a positive way. Without wanting to spoil anything, I suppose my only real gripe is that certain parts feel a bit stretched out, and there are a few of those typical moments of Spielbergian pathos toward the end, but those are just minor details that shouldn't really change the overall impression. 8.5/10
I suppose this film is based on actual historical events, telling the story of an attorney named James Donovan (Tom Hanks) who was sent right into the thick of the Cold War to negotiate with the Russians for the release of an imprisoned American pilot, Francis Gary Powers (Austin Stowell). It seems that Powers's U-2 plane was shot down back in May of 1960 while flying over Soviet airspace. Even though the USA initially denied that it was a military aircraft—essentially claiming it wasn't a spy plane—the Russians managed to prove otherwise. Powers ended up being sentenced to three years in prison and seven years in a labor camp, but he was eventually released in 1962 in exchange for the Soviet officer Rudolf Abel (Mark Rylance). The title of the film actually refers to a real bridge that connects the outer edges of what was then West Berlin to the center of Potsdam, which at that time was under the control of East Germany. I think they called it the Bridge of Spies back in the sixties when American and Soviet intelligence agencies were carrying out prisoner exchanges at that location.
The screenplay is credited to the Coen brothers and Matt Charman.
The premise seems quite compelling to me, especially since Jennifer Lawrence is taking the lead. It looks like we'll also have David O. Russell directing, along with the presence of Bradley Cooper and Robert De Niro, who both seem like essential parts of this cast.
You suggested that homophobia could be viewed as a positive force because it pressures homosexual individuals into marriage and parenthood, supposedly aiding the survival of the species. I suppose one has to wonder about that same homophobia which has driven thousands to suicide and leaves countless people today struggling with deep psychological and physical scars. All those individuals who were lost to suicide or subjected to abuse might have contributed to the survival of our species in many other ways—ways that likely would have yielded a much greater impact than simply churning out children.
Furthermore, you implied that racial segregation had some basis in biology, yet historical fact shows it was merely a product of irrational hatred and backwardness, never actually supported by biological reality. To me, it feels quite absurd that you would try to use the example of melanin to justify a system that inherently results in the stripping of liberties, widespread discontent, harassment, and the racially motivated crimes we still witness today. I honestly think that is "a bit" more severe than the increased risk of Vitamin D deficiency among Black Americans, which is a medical issue easily addressed. Ultimately, equality and the freedom to express sexual orientation—which leads to greater genetic variability—could arguably produce better evolutionary outcomes in the long run than racial segregation ever could.
Then, when I pointed out the obvious fact that gender roles are more flexible now than ever before, and that Western civilization is more advanced than it has ever been, you reached for what seems to be perhaps the greatest conservative cliché in existence—suggesting that historians might eventually point to these very changes as the cause of the downfall of Western civilization.
In my view, your interpretation of evolution is akin to believing that evolution means "survival of the fittest" in a way that grants people a license to commit any act they desire just because they can overpower others. Of course, anyone truly informed knows that evolution isn't really about the survival of the strongest.
I have to admit I’m feeling a little let down given all the glowing praise I've seen online, though I suppose I am still quite pleased with how fresh the concept feels and the overall originality of the content.
The segments involving the airplane, the parking situation, and the pregnant woman felt relatively weak to me, if I'm being honest. Personally, I found the "crime of passion" and the wedding stories to be the absolute highlights; those were truly a pleasure to follow.
I found this one to be a rather mediocre and superficial experience. After watching this, I’m left feeling pretty certain that Waltz might have a fairly limited range when it comes to his acting. It just felt like a rather unremarkable piece of filmmaking.
What a massive surprise—How to Train Your Dragon 2 somehow took home the award for best animated film. I guess it was a huge favorite all along, though.
Jack Murphy5 said:I'm not sure I follow you there. How can we be certain about that?
I suppose it's just because that movie isn't really in the running; it seems highly unlikely to snag a GOLDEN GLOBES 2015 nomination for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy when it's up against heavy hitters like Birdman and The Grand Budapest Hotel.
Jack Murphy5 said:I just saw some confusion popping up on Twitter regarding two potential winners being announced prematurely. It looks like they might have mistakenly listed Selma for Best Drama and Into The Woods for Comedy. I suppose we'll just have to wait and see if that actually turns out to be the case. 😁
Given how things went with Into The Woods, I suspect that isn't quite right. 🍿
To be honest, I haven't actually sat down to watch Birdman yet; I just tend to follow all the award season coverage and the critics' consensus to stay in the loop. I might even end up placing a small bet on a few things around the time the Oscars roll around.
I suppose Zimmer has a real shot at it; after what happened with Birdman, he’s probably the frontrunner now.
I could honestly give this film a full 100% rating. 😬 It feels similar to that period when we all just assumed The Artist would sweep the 2012 Golden Globes, the Oscars, and the Academy Awards, which, in my view, was 🤮. I think Boyhood is truly excellent. When looking at the best picture category in general—not just for the Golden Globes—I suppose the only real contenders besides it might be Selma, following Birdman.
It completely slipped my mind that they don't have an original or adapted screenplay category here. That probably shifts the odds quite a bit.
As for directing, they’ll likely take it because filming over twelve years is such a massive directorial undertaking. I find it hard to see anyone else having a real shot there.
So, my thoughts:
Best Picture - Boyhood Best Picture Drama - Birdman Best Actor/Drama - Eddie Redmayne, The Theory of Everything (or maybe Carell) Best Actress/Drama - Julianna Moore, Still Alice (perhaps Emily Blunt for Gone Girl) Best Actor/Musical or Comedy - Michael Keaton, Birdman Best Actress/Musical or Comedy - Emily Blunt, Into The Woods (maybe Amy Adams for Big Eyes) Best Supporting Actor - J. K. Simmons, Whiplash Best Supporting Actress - Patricia Arquette, Boyhood Best Director - Boyhood Best Screenplay - Gone Girl (maybe The Grand Budapest Hotel) Best Original Song - Glory, Selma (though I'm leaning toward Lana Del Rey for Big Eyes) Best Original Score - Birdman Best Animated Feature - Ida Best Foreign Language Film - Ida
I’m feeling about 99.99% certain when it comes to the directing and the film itself. As for the screenplay, though, I’d say I'm maybe 60% leaning toward Boyhood, while the remaining 40% might go to Birdman.
