tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937848248469121586.post1806065343107262059..comments2023-12-24T19:38:00.242-08:00Comments on Mendelson's Memos: I loathe the merely mediocre The Silver Linings Playbook because it's considered Oscar-worthy. Fair/Unfair?Scott Mendelsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08131426080984100749noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937848248469121586.post-36627744745255521742013-05-17T00:02:57.861-07:002013-05-17T00:02:57.861-07:00It's really strange. I enjoyed the movie. I...It's really strange. I enjoyed the movie. I'm actually in the category of people who "loved" the film. I actually watched it twice in a row. Nonetheless, I can't seem to disagree with any of the articles criticizing the film. Objectively, it is formulaic, manipulating, and full of cliches. So, everything you mentioned in this article about SLP is true. I think it's just that people like me enjoy the fact that Cooper and Lawrence are doing these roles. And, more importantly, the thought of Lawrence playing a recovering slut widow who wants to win a dance competition is not only endearing but hot as hell.Jaynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937848248469121586.post-64345489785583326822012-12-31T10:34:05.626-08:002012-12-31T10:34:05.626-08:00Had Katherine Heigl played the Lawrence role it no...Had Katherine Heigl played the Lawrence role it no doubt would have been lame because Heigl is a TV actress while Lawrence is capable of elevating material. There is nothing tangible to my calling Heigl a TV actress other than just a "feeling" that she is incapable of playing a scene other than the way she always does, she would have been shrill where Lawrence relies on more subtle gestures. I think you make a good point about the plot devise revolving around Deniro's "bet", on the face of it, it's just plain silly, but on the other hand, that's just something these irrational people might do. I accepted it because, after all, it's just a movie, and not a Katherine Heigl movie, cuz that would have really sucked. I personally give SLP a B+, because the two leads were quite good, good enough to overlook some of the wonkier machinations in the plot.Kirk Dnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937848248469121586.post-76079732006507953552012-12-04T12:21:36.674-08:002012-12-04T12:21:36.674-08:00I didn't write a full-on piece about it, but I...I didn't write a full-on piece about it, but I referenced as much in my Oscar nominations essay. And, after seeing the film, I would argue it is indeed a victim of said phenomenon. Had it not been considered a presumptive front-runner based on its pedigree it would have likely been treated kinder by critics. And frankly, had it not been 'about 9/11', it would have been a great film (it works as a singular portrait of an autistic boy coming to terms with family loss and grief he can't possibly compute).Scott Mendelsonhttp://scottalanmendelson.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937848248469121586.post-27124070335569016342012-12-04T08:54:57.891-08:002012-12-04T08:54:57.891-08:00Funny how you didn't take that viewpoint LAST ...Funny how you didn't take that viewpoint LAST year, when Extremely Loud & Incredibly Close (THE Worst Movie of 2011, bar none!) managed to get the most undeserved Best Picture nomination in most people's lifetimes (not counting the old/doddering Academy, of course)...KXBnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937848248469121586.post-7641425705609332142012-12-02T08:20:12.639-08:002012-12-02T08:20:12.639-08:00Probably I like the movie a little more than you d...Probably I like the movie a little more than you do but I agree about De Niro's acting. His monologue at Cooper's bedside was almost cringe worthy. I guess people are just happy to see him playing less caricature role.carynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6937848248469121586.post-51134401486102138612012-12-01T19:56:38.072-08:002012-12-01T19:56:38.072-08:00I think this is a big problem that bothers me ever...I think this is a big problem that bothers me every year. Instead of measured and reasonable reactions to films based purely on the context of the film itself, people allow external praise, awards, etc. to affect their overall view of a film. The King's Speech (which I love, not that it matters) became a major target of hate simply because those who found it "eh" ended up piling on the hate because it was winning awards in favor of something they thought was better. This simultaneously puts too much stock in awards and in the opinions of others. Be confident and content with your own opinion, and allow it to remain in context. If you don't like Silver Linings (which I don't either) that's fine, but your reaction should not shift in any way based on how others view it or how many trophies it is nominated for. That seems like an unnecessary and juvenile practice, and a waste of time that could be better spent focusing on films you are passionate about.Maxwell Haddadhttp://twitter.com/MaxLHadnoreply@blogger.com