Comments on: Million Dollar Movie http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/11/08/million-dollar-movie-166/ Development site for Bronx Banter Blog's upcoming look and feel Sun, 19 May 2013 22:08:16 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.4.2 By: Alex Belth http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/11/08/million-dollar-movie-166/#comment-268743 Alex Belth Wed, 09 Nov 2011 02:30:50 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=75016#comment-268743 34) Oh, yeah. I think it'd be fun to do some Hackman/Jack movies that we maybe haven't seen. I'll set this up with the Banter crew. 34) Oh, yeah. I think it’d be fun to do some Hackman/Jack movies that we maybe haven’t seen. I’ll set this up with the Banter crew.

]]> By: Mr OK Jazz Tokyo http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/11/08/million-dollar-movie-166/#comment-268741 Mr OK Jazz Tokyo Wed, 09 Nov 2011 02:20:34 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=75016#comment-268741 [29] Gene Hackman week, please! [29] Gene Hackman week, please!

]]> By: joejoejoe http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/11/08/million-dollar-movie-166/#comment-268738 joejoejoe Tue, 08 Nov 2011 23:57:01 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=75016#comment-268738 I'll second the recommendation of "This Boy's Life." DeNiro is boyfriend to single mom Ellen Barkin and young teen Leonardo DiCaprio set in the 1950s in the Northwest. It's a good film that got me into the great writing of Tobias Wolff. The movie was made from his memoir. I’ll second the recommendation of “This Boy’s Life.” DeNiro is boyfriend to single mom Ellen Barkin and young teen Leonardo DiCaprio set in the 1950s in the Northwest. It’s a good film that got me into the great writing of Tobias Wolff. The movie was made from his memoir.

]]> By: Matt Blankman http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/11/08/million-dollar-movie-166/#comment-268737 Matt Blankman Tue, 08 Nov 2011 22:02:52 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=75016#comment-268737 [29] Absolutely. There's so much to choose from and so much to say. [29] Absolutely. There’s so much to choose from and so much to say.

]]> By: Matt Blankman http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/11/08/million-dollar-movie-166/#comment-268736 Matt Blankman Tue, 08 Nov 2011 22:02:04 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=75016#comment-268736 [30] I don't think Apocalypse was a stunt, but it seems almost like Marlon treated it as such. It's amazing Coppola got enough useable footage to make it work. I certainly don't begrudge him Superman - wasn't that a record salary at the time? And to play Superman's father? Who'd say no? And yeah, fair enough in re: Bobby D & Marlon...and yeah, only two movies but if he'd only made those 2 movies, he'd still be a legend. [30] I don’t think Apocalypse was a stunt, but it seems almost like Marlon treated it as such. It’s amazing Coppola got enough useable footage to make it work. I certainly don’t begrudge him Superman – wasn’t that a record salary at the time? And to play Superman’s father? Who’d say no?
And yeah, fair enough in re: Bobby D & Marlon…and yeah, only two movies but if he’d only made those 2 movies, he’d still be a legend.

]]> By: The Hawk http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/11/08/million-dollar-movie-166/#comment-268735 The Hawk Tue, 08 Nov 2011 21:38:16 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=75016#comment-268735 [28] Agreed re: the Freshman. I don't think Apocalypse was a stunt but Superman surely was. As for DeNiro and Brando being different animals, I also agree with that. It's just that initially it seemed they were closer than they ended up being. [27] Two movies, yes - but boy those are two big performances. [28] Agreed re: the Freshman. I don’t think Apocalypse was a stunt but Superman surely was.

As for DeNiro and Brando being different animals, I also agree with that. It’s just that initially it seemed they were closer than they ended up being.

[27] Two movies, yes – but boy those are two big performances.

]]> By: Alex Belth http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/11/08/million-dollar-movie-166/#comment-268734 Alex Belth Tue, 08 Nov 2011 21:34:46 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=75016#comment-268734 I think we should do a Nicholson week. I think we should do a Nicholson week.

]]> By: Matt Blankman http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/11/08/million-dollar-movie-166/#comment-268732 Matt Blankman Tue, 08 Nov 2011 21:22:06 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=75016#comment-268732 [27] Oh yeah, he chews the scenery with abandon in Missouri Breaks. It's a truly weird performance - the kind of weird only a genius can give you. Nicholson totally underplays as a counterpoint and he's really good. The Freshman was a stunt, in a way, but he's wonderful in it. [24] Again, I just think DeNiro and Brando are such different animals, you know? There were so many great actors who came around in the wake of Brando, too - Newman, Scott, Pacino, Hackman, Hoffman, et al. I think I just have an aversion to trying to quantify their greatness/failures. It's not you, it's me. [27] Oh yeah, he chews the scenery with abandon in Missouri Breaks. It’s a truly weird performance – the kind of weird only a genius can give you. Nicholson totally underplays as a counterpoint and he’s really good.
The Freshman was a stunt, in a way, but he’s wonderful in it.

[24] Again, I just think DeNiro and Brando are such different animals, you know? There were so many great actors who came around in the wake of Brando, too – Newman, Scott, Pacino, Hackman, Hoffman, et al. I think I just have an aversion to trying to quantify their greatness/failures. It’s not you, it’s me.

]]> By: Alex Belth http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/11/08/million-dollar-movie-166/#comment-268731 Alex Belth Tue, 08 Nov 2011 21:07:17 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=75016#comment-268731 What's incredible is his comeback was only those two movies--Godfather and Last Tango. Even though Matt liked him in MB, he's likely in the minority on that one. Apocalypse Now and Superman were stunts. What’s incredible is his comeback was only those two movies–Godfather and Last Tango. Even though Matt liked him in MB, he’s likely in the minority on that one. Apocalypse Now and Superman were stunts.

]]> By: Matt Blankman http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/11/08/million-dollar-movie-166/#comment-268730 Matt Blankman Tue, 08 Nov 2011 20:57:11 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=75016#comment-268730 And then there's Brando in "The Missouri Breaks," which I love, but some detest. And then there’s Brando in “The Missouri Breaks,” which I love, but some detest.

]]> By: Matt Blankman http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/11/08/million-dollar-movie-166/#comment-268729 Matt Blankman Tue, 08 Nov 2011 20:49:09 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=75016#comment-268729 [24] Oh yeah, Brando's 70s rebound is crucial to his legend, I think. Even "Superman" showed that he was still a huge marquee name - but it wouldn't have been so without the Godfather and Last Tango. [24] Oh yeah, Brando’s 70s rebound is crucial to his legend, I think. Even “Superman” showed that he was still a huge marquee name – but it wouldn’t have been so without the Godfather and Last Tango.

]]> By: The Hawk http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/11/08/million-dollar-movie-166/#comment-268728 The Hawk Tue, 08 Nov 2011 20:44:58 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=75016#comment-268728 [20] I think I acknowledged in [17] that Brando's career was spotty. That said, he had the good grace to not do much once he shit the bed, so to speak. DeNiro keeps finding new depths of uselessness. I think the throne YOU refer to couldn't be inherited but I don't think that's necessarily or even likely what Kael means; it's certainly not along the lines I was thinking which were more like: greatest actor of their generation, or carrier of the torch of great chameleon/screen presence combination. Re: Streep and Day-Lewis vs DeNiro, I don't doubt you see what I'm saying, I'm just clarifying in regards to your comment about not thinking about actors "that way" - I figure anyone can appreciate sustained quality vs precipitous drop offs ... Though I guess you can draw the line any number of places. I do think after a while, the bad can begin to, if not outweigh, certainly tip the balance a bit away from the good. Brando had that 70s rebound that really cemented his legendary status with an iconic box office smash performance and an art house soul-searing performance (throw in Apocalypse Now too). I think besides his talent, that may set him apart the most - a pretty amazing (albeit brief) "comeback". [20] I think I acknowledged in [17] that Brando’s career was spotty. That said, he had the good grace to not do much once he shit the bed, so to speak. DeNiro keeps finding new depths of uselessness.

I think the throne YOU refer to couldn’t be inherited but I don’t think that’s necessarily or even likely what Kael means; it’s certainly not along the lines I was thinking which were more like: greatest actor of their generation, or carrier of the torch of great chameleon/screen presence combination.

Re: Streep and Day-Lewis vs DeNiro, I don’t doubt you see what I’m saying, I’m just clarifying in regards to your comment about not thinking about actors “that way” – I figure anyone can appreciate sustained quality vs precipitous drop offs … Though I guess you can draw the line any number of places. I do think after a while, the bad can begin to, if not outweigh, certainly tip the balance a bit away from the good.

Brando had that 70s rebound that really cemented his legendary status with an iconic box office smash performance and an art house soul-searing performance (throw in Apocalypse Now too). I think besides his talent, that may set him apart the most – a pretty amazing (albeit brief) “comeback”.

]]> By: Alex Belth http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/11/08/million-dollar-movie-166/#comment-268726 Alex Belth Tue, 08 Nov 2011 20:01:48 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=75016#comment-268726 And here's Kael on Brando circa 1966: http://www.theatlantic.com/past/docs/unbound/aandc/movies/movies4.htm And here’s Kael on Brando circa 1966:

http://www.theatlantic.com/past/docs/unbound/aandc/movies/movies4.htm

]]> By: Matt Blankman http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/11/08/million-dollar-movie-166/#comment-268725 Matt Blankman Tue, 08 Nov 2011 19:34:52 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=75016#comment-268725 [21] It's really true - there's the movies Before Marlon and there's the movies After Marlon. Even when his career was at a low ebb in the late 60s, he was still the guy who had changed everything. [21] It’s really true – there’s the movies Before Marlon and there’s the movies After Marlon. Even when his career was at a low ebb in the late 60s, he was still the guy who had changed everything.

]]> By: Alex Belth http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/11/08/million-dollar-movie-166/#comment-268724 Alex Belth Tue, 08 Nov 2011 19:26:29 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=75016#comment-268724 20) Interesting. 20) Interesting.

]]> By: Matt Blankman http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/11/08/million-dollar-movie-166/#comment-268723 Matt Blankman Tue, 08 Nov 2011 19:15:27 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=75016#comment-268723 [17] I see what you're saying, I just don't necessarily agree. I don't think DeNiro crapped out at all. What did Brando do with the last 20 years of his career? Brando marked a total sea-change in acting in the movies, so in that respect he's completely singular. DeNiro, great as he has been, did not have that kind of impact on popular culture. There was no throne to inherit. [17] I see what you’re saying, I just don’t necessarily agree. I don’t think DeNiro crapped out at all. What did Brando do with the last 20 years of his career? Brando marked a total sea-change in acting in the movies, so in that respect he’s completely singular. DeNiro, great as he has been, did not have that kind of impact on popular culture. There was no throne to inherit.

]]> By: The Hawk http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/11/08/million-dollar-movie-166/#comment-268722 The Hawk Tue, 08 Nov 2011 19:14:07 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=75016#comment-268722 [18] Yeah I think you've mentioned it before, actually. I guess I get it in theory, but I don't notice that stuff. I know nothing about acting, I mean I've never attempted it myself so to me it's all just movie magic. [18] Yeah I think you’ve mentioned it before, actually. I guess I get it in theory, but I don’t notice that stuff. I know nothing about acting, I mean I’ve never attempted it myself so to me it’s all just movie magic.

]]> By: Alex Belth http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/11/08/million-dollar-movie-166/#comment-268721 Alex Belth Tue, 08 Nov 2011 19:09:58 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=75016#comment-268721 17) She's too much of a technician to me. I admire her skill and in some movies I've found her moving but most of the time I so aware of watching her act, every raised eyebrow, every gesture seems so calculated, that I am thrown out of the story. 17) She’s too much of a technician to me. I admire her skill and in some movies I’ve found her moving but most of the time I so aware of watching her act, every raised eyebrow, every gesture seems so calculated, that I am thrown out of the story.

]]> By: The Hawk http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/11/08/million-dollar-movie-166/#comment-268720 The Hawk Tue, 08 Nov 2011 19:00:32 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=75016#comment-268720 [14] I just mean they have had more quality work over a longer period of time (or in Day-Lewis's case, close to it). Put another way, their batting average is higher. DeNiro did seem like the heir to Brando's throne, but in retrospect he kind of crapped out. Fwiw I don't see Brando as having a particular style, he could do pretty much anything, from the mumbling animalistic Kowalski to the awesomely foppish Fletcher Christian. Admittedly his track record ended up pretty darn spotty but he is the one actor I know of that has such colossal yet equal measures of both versatility and screen presence. People who hate on Meryl Streep confuse me. [14] I just mean they have had more quality work over a longer period of time (or in Day-Lewis’s case, close to it). Put another way, their batting average is higher. DeNiro did seem like the heir to Brando’s throne, but in retrospect he kind of crapped out.

Fwiw I don’t see Brando as having a particular style, he could do pretty much anything, from the mumbling animalistic Kowalski to the awesomely foppish Fletcher Christian. Admittedly his track record ended up pretty darn spotty but he is the one actor I know of that has such colossal yet equal measures of both versatility and screen presence.

People who hate on Meryl Streep confuse me.

]]> By: Matt Blankman http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/2011/11/08/million-dollar-movie-166/#comment-268719 Matt Blankman Tue, 08 Nov 2011 18:34:23 +0000 http://www.bronxbanterblog.com/?p=75016#comment-268719 [15] I admire Streep, but she never really makes me feel anything. Now, Gena Rowlands on the other hand...there's a genius actress. [15] I admire Streep, but she never really makes me feel anything. Now, Gena Rowlands on the other hand…there’s a genius actress.

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