tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703076346434344743.post6425833584809884175..comments2023-07-01T05:05:31.938-04:00Comments on Films Worth Watching: American Hustle: A RebuttalJonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10656287096270976604noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703076346434344743.post-36815642493940707692014-01-01T09:15:16.366-05:002014-01-01T09:15:16.366-05:00@ Sam - You and I have already conversed elsewhere...@ Sam - You and I have already conversed elsewhere on this but thanks again as always for the comments. We both agree that 12 Years a Slave is more deserving.<br /><br />@ Catherine - As for the whole January thing, I'm wondering if it's marketing and timing related to buzz during awards season?Jonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10656287096270976604noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703076346434344743.post-33230343414685678052013-12-31T10:25:27.803-05:002013-12-31T10:25:27.803-05:00Part of the problem is it's practically imposs...Part of the problem is it's practically impossible to see anything other than Super Hero movies and what Hollywood deems worth while. I would have loved to see 12 Years a Slave, but it'll remain on my sticky note of rentals. <br />Is it just me or have you noticed the trend of releasing films in January that actually are films from the previous year. Inside Llewyn Davis and Labor Day are both getting their wide release in January. Catherine Shorthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16300150489229270098noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703076346434344743.post-7925293592418461622013-12-30T18:01:06.900-05:002013-12-30T18:01:06.900-05:00Well this was certainly an impassioned essay Jon, ...Well this was certainly an impassioned essay Jon, I'll give you that. You state your case clearly and no doubt for many quite persuasively. But as I have stated elsewhere I am a big fan of the film, (the first Russell film I have liked in fact) and like others on this thread found it sensationally entertaining. Yeah its about corruption and consmanship, but I think it was well-paced myself, and acted superbly by the cast. I do believe that 12 YEARS A SLAVE will cop the Oscar though,just as it has copped the overwhelming number of critics' awards. I was in full agreement two years ago with the deserved dominance of THE ARTIST from all the critics' groups and A.M.P.A.S.<br /><br />It all comes down to taste, but it appears the overwhelming majority of people this year do have the "taste" for AMERICAN HUSTLE.Sam Julianonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703076346434344743.post-40306639204376820202013-12-30T14:04:11.792-05:002013-12-30T14:04:11.792-05:00Jon, replied to your comment on WitD. But I am gla...Jon, replied to your comment on WitD. But I am glad to see someone call this film out. It is average despite some nice moments, like the bedroom scene. But as you mention, awarding average films is getting to be a trend. 12 YEARS A SLAVE is far better than this but now fear it won't get the nod.Sachinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13227932224402555942noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703076346434344743.post-4177415843889724042013-12-30T12:17:27.097-05:002013-12-30T12:17:27.097-05:00DHS - Thanks for the thoughts and what you say I a...DHS - Thanks for the thoughts and what you say I agree with for the most part. There is something going on with critics and the academy the last few years that is extremely puzzling to me and it's possible we could also go back to The King's Speech as well, which was okay but certainly not tremendous. 2010 was an overall weak year in my estimation though with Blue Valentine, The Social Network, and Winter's Bone the only real standouts now for me. I am with you though.....12 Years a Slave is an important work and utterly devastating. It would say alot about our nation that I wouldn't be proud of should we choose to honor something like American Hustle in favor of 12 Years a Slave. Seriously, I would be more than insulted and probably livid if that happened. The Artist and Argo are such benign and forgettable films. I just can't understand how we continue to honor films that are pure escapism and say absolutely nothing.....as in let's just ignore real life and real artistry for something frivolous. I am all for escapism, but rarely...and I mean very rarely is an escapist film truly the best of the year. Jonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10656287096270976604noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703076346434344743.post-1442371657313315282013-12-30T11:17:20.891-05:002013-12-30T11:17:20.891-05:00I enjoyed the film a bit more than you, but I agre...I enjoyed the film a bit more than you, but I agree - the editing and pacing were way off and this missed an opportunity to be truly great, though I still think it's very entertaining.<br /><br />What I agree more with, though, is your central conceit that critics and the Academy continue to gush over well made mediocrity - The Artist (a complete gimmick film) being the worst of the lot - and Argo (again, entertaining, but nothing more) and now perhaps this film (which I think is better than Argo because of the colorful performances) following suit.<br /><br />I just hope this doesn't beat out 12 Years a Slave - that would be a true travesty.<br />DHShttp://theschleicherspin.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703076346434344743.post-30141709845466473242013-12-30T08:53:24.521-05:002013-12-30T08:53:24.521-05:00@ Dan - I am certainly in the minority as I for so...@ Dan - I am certainly in the minority as I for some reason didn't have as much fun as I was expecting and the expectation part might just be the problem.<br /><br />@ Samuel - Thanks for reading my post and for acknowledging my perspective. I am certainly understanding that many have applauded this film....and I like that you are mentioning how the film is more in the realm of entertainment than a form of art. I don't think it aspires toward artistry.....interesting what you say about the story's shagginess....which I am finding that more and more people seem to liken this an endearing quality. Perhaps that's the delineation right there. I will read your review shortly.Jonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10656287096270976604noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703076346434344743.post-45765926438260233982013-12-29T21:27:19.827-05:002013-12-29T21:27:19.827-05:00Jon, I saw your headline after posting my own rave...Jon, I saw your headline after posting my own rave and felt I owed you a look. Russell's definitely done a semi-parody of the classical Scorsese storyline and I found it very effective on that pastiche level. I also ended up more indulgent of the story's shagginess and more impressed by Cooper's work as, after all, the villain of the piece. Lawrence was also very funny, though I found her kiss of Adams gratuitous. Some people may be overrating this as a work of cinematic art but I did find it highly entertaining and so did the theater audience that applauded at the end. No, it isn't the best film of the year, but right now it's a top-ten item for me. That doesn't oblige anyone else to approve of it, however, and no one should hold your criticisms against you.Samuel Wilsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00934870299522899944noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5703076346434344743.post-20897974276222574092013-12-29T14:05:41.226-05:002013-12-29T14:05:41.226-05:00Good review Jon. Though it definitely does feel a ...Good review Jon. Though it definitely does feel a lot like a Scorsese flick, it's still so much fun that I couldn't help but get past that and just look on the bright side.Dan O.http://www.dtmmr.comnoreply@blogger.com