Director's Guild winners

Damien
Laureate
Posts: 6331
Joined: Wed Jan 01, 2003 8:43 pm
Location: New York, New York
Contact:

Post by Damien »

The King's Speech grossed $11.1 million this weekend, bringing its total up to $72.2 million. By Oscar night, it will have outgrossed The Social Network.
"Y'know, that's one of the things I like about Mitt Romney. He's been consistent since he changed his mind." -- Christine O'Donnell
ITALIANO
Emeritus
Posts: 4076
Joined: Mon Jan 06, 2003 1:58 pm
Location: MILAN

Post by ITALIANO »

Big Magilla wrote:In fact, Fincher left the project before the final scene was completed, allowing Sorkin to direct the last bit, a throwaway scene in the Facebook offices, not the final scene in the film which had already been shot, but nevertheless an acknowledgment in however small a way that it was Sorkin's film, not his.
I didnt know this, but it's true that The Social Network is more a writer's movie than a director's movie - especially considering how personal Fincher has been on other projects.

I havent seen movies like 127 Hours, The Fighter or True Grit yet, but for example I'd say that Daniel Aronofsky's work on Black Swan at least doesnt look like made-for-tv material - for the moment, if we only consider American cinema, he'd be my pick.
Big Magilla
Site Admin
Posts: 19318
Joined: Wed Jan 01, 2003 3:22 pm
Location: Jersey Shore

Post by Big Magilla »

ITALIANO wrote:It may be that The Social Network peaked too early. But it's not just that, I think. I'd say that it's more a case of a movie that the critics (American critics mostly, but not only) and a certain generation of filmgoers are led to admire and find meaningful, but that leaves others absolutely cold. The combination of fashionable director, fashionable and contemporary subject, and fashionably "smart" dialogue forced many to declare it a great movie, even those who should have known better (it's Big Magilla's number 1 movie of the year - this is the most evident proof of brainwashing).

I haven't been brainwashed. I like The Social Network well enough to consider it the year's best film, but only because everything else falls short. I do not consider it the year's best directed film. Danny Boyle and Christopher Nolan were more visionary, David O. Russell showed more heart and Ben Affleck showed the most growth of any relatively new director.

The Social Network is a writer's and an actors' showcase, not a director's. Fincher does well enough what he does, but he was a director for hire on this project - Aaron Sorkin was the controlling force. Not one word of dialogue was altered without his consent. In fact, Fincher left the project before the final scene was completed, allowing Sorkin to direct the last bit, a throwaway scene in the Facebook offices, not the final scene in the film which had already been shot, but nevertheless an acknowledgment in however small a way that it was Sorkin's film, not his.

Besides Fincher already won my award for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button so I'm not upset he lost the DGA, it's just that he lost to an inferior choice. I would have been happy for Russell or Nolan if they had won, especially Nolan since he's not nominated by the Academy for his direction of Inception and a win by him would have no effect on the Oscars.

What we seem to be going through is a blurring of the arts. TV now produces more provocative entertainment than the movies and the movies are now giving major prizes to films that look like TV movies. It's not just The King's Speech, but several other of this year's awards contenders, from The Kids Are All Right to Rabbit Hole to Conviction, all look and sound like they could have been made for TV.
Big Magilla
Site Admin
Posts: 19318
Joined: Wed Jan 01, 2003 3:22 pm
Location: Jersey Shore

Post by Big Magilla »

Uri wrote:p.s. You're so right about the art direction here. Not only is it unappealing, it's also not very intelligently done – art deco wallpaper in a middle class apartment were supposed to be brand new back in '34, and not look as they've been hung there for 75 years, for God's sake.
That's it exactly. It looks old and moldy when it should look sparkling and new.

That and what Sabin say about the cinematography and what you both said about the screenplay. It's a phony film.

It's not that Hooper is a bad director. His Elizabeth I breathed with life all the way through. John Adams less so, but still it was well made. The King's Speech is nothing if not an actors' film and in that regard it succeeds - but only as bottom half filler for a top ten list in which there really aren't ten good films.
Reza
Laureate Emeritus
Posts: 10031
Joined: Thu Jan 02, 2003 11:14 am
Location: Islamabad, Pakistan

Post by Reza »

Sonic Youth wrote:
Reza wrote:
ITALIANO wrote:Is The Social Network completely dead now? Unlike Sonic Youth, I did go through that depressing series of precursors where it seemed that the Facebook movie was this ultimate American work of art, and I can't ignore them or the fact that even the NBR (for which The King's Speech seemed like the perfect choice) picked it. And I can't see it getting only Best Adapted Screenplay (though that screenplay - irritating as it sounded to me - is its raison d'etre, and an especially showy one). But yes, Best Picture, while not completely lost, is certainly now an uphill struggle.
I think the only award The Social Network is going to win is for editing. And watch it lose the screenplay Oscar to Winter's Bone.
You're underestimating. Before Oscar night, the Academy will rescind several of The Social Network's nominations.

In the meantime, The King's Speech will win 13 of its 12 nominations as well as The Nobel Peace Prize.

God bless The King's Speech.
Lol.
Okri
Tenured
Posts: 3345
Joined: Wed Jan 01, 2003 3:28 pm
Location: Edmonton, AB

Post by Okri »

ITALIANO wrote:And by the way, even I didn't like The Social Network, but it's not like now The King's Speech is Battleship Potemkin or 8 and 1/2...
No, but if they're not gonna go for my favourites or films I would like to see as best picture winners, that they're giving us a race is all I could really hope for.
ITALIANO
Emeritus
Posts: 4076
Joined: Mon Jan 06, 2003 1:58 pm
Location: MILAN

Post by ITALIANO »

And by the way, even I didn't like The Social Network, but it's not like now The King's Speech is Battleship Potemkin or 8 and 1/2...
The Original BJ
Emeritus
Posts: 4312
Joined: Mon Apr 28, 2003 8:49 pm

Post by The Original BJ »

UGH!

I second Italiano -- the tide against The Social Network has really turned seemingly instantly.
User avatar
Sonic Youth
Tenured Laureate
Posts: 8003
Joined: Wed Jan 01, 2003 8:35 pm
Location: USA

Post by Sonic Youth »

Reza wrote:
ITALIANO wrote:Is The Social Network completely dead now? Unlike Sonic Youth, I did go through that depressing series of precursors where it seemed that the Facebook movie was this ultimate American work of art, and I can't ignore them or the fact that even the NBR (for which The King's Speech seemed like the perfect choice) picked it. And I can't see it getting only Best Adapted Screenplay (though that screenplay - irritating as it sounded to me - is its raison d'etre, and an especially showy one). But yes, Best Picture, while not completely lost, is certainly now an uphill struggle.
I think the only award The Social Network is going to win is for editing. And watch it lose the screenplay Oscar to Winter's Bone.
You're underestimating. Before Oscar night, the Academy will rescind several of The Social Network's nominations.

In the meantime, The King's Speech will win 13 of its 12 nominations as well as The Nobel Peace Prize.

God bless The King's Speech.
"What the hell?"
Win Butler
FilmFan720
Emeritus
Posts: 3650
Joined: Thu Jan 02, 2003 3:57 pm
Location: Illinois

Post by FilmFan720 »

Reza wrote:
ITALIANO wrote:Is The Social Network completely dead now? Unlike Sonic Youth, I did go through that depressing series of precursors where it seemed that the Facebook movie was this ultimate American work of art, and I can't ignore them or the fact that even the NBR (for which The King's Speech seemed like the perfect choice) picked it. And I can't see it getting only Best Adapted Screenplay (though that screenplay - irritating as it sounded to me - is its raison d'etre, and an especially showy one). But yes, Best Picture, while not completely lost, is certainly now an uphill struggle.
I think the only award The Social Network is going to win is for editing. And watch it lose the screenplay Oscar to Winter's Bone.
Reza, The Social Network can't lose Adapted Screenplay. Aaron Sorkin is treated in almost god-like terms over here in America, and especially in Hollywood. It is the only award it can't lose.
"Go into the world and do well. But more importantly, go into the world and do good."
- Minor Myers, Jr.
ITALIANO
Emeritus
Posts: 4076
Joined: Mon Jan 06, 2003 1:58 pm
Location: MILAN

Post by ITALIANO »

Reza wrote:
ITALIANO wrote:Is The Social Network completely dead now? Unlike Sonic Youth, I did go through that depressing series of precursors where it seemed that the Facebook movie was this ultimate American work of art, and I can't ignore them or the fact that even the NBR (for which The King's Speech seemed like the perfect choice) picked it. And I can't see it getting only Best Adapted Screenplay (though that screenplay - irritating as it sounded to me - is its raison d'etre, and an especially showy one). But yes, Best Picture, while not completely lost, is certainly now an uphill struggle.
I think the only award The Social Network is going to win is for editing. And watch it lose the screenplay Oscar to Winter's Bone.
:D

I've never seen a movie falling so quickly from front-runner to also-ran... I mean, I felt that the reputation of The Social Network wouldn't have lasted long, but this is really too fast. It's like the Egyptan revolution - suddenly The Social Network is the Mubarak of movies!

Now, seriously, it's not over yet and I think it will get at least two Oscars.
Reza
Laureate Emeritus
Posts: 10031
Joined: Thu Jan 02, 2003 11:14 am
Location: Islamabad, Pakistan

Post by Reza »

ITALIANO wrote:Is The Social Network completely dead now? Unlike Sonic Youth, I did go through that depressing series of precursors where it seemed that the Facebook movie was this ultimate American work of art, and I can't ignore them or the fact that even the NBR (for which The King's Speech seemed like the perfect choice) picked it. And I can't see it getting only Best Adapted Screenplay (though that screenplay - irritating as it sounded to me - is its raison d'etre, and an especially showy one). But yes, Best Picture, while not completely lost, is certainly now an uphill struggle.
I think the only award The Social Network is going to win is for editing. And watch it lose the screenplay Oscar to Winter's Bone.
ITALIANO
Emeritus
Posts: 4076
Joined: Mon Jan 06, 2003 1:58 pm
Location: MILAN

Post by ITALIANO »

This has definitely been my Sunday morning shock. I could easily see the actors loving The King's Speech, but not the directors. As others have said, the Academy could still go with Fincher, but Best Picture is becoming more a one-way race than the two-ways one I expected.

Tom Hooper isnt a great director and The King's Speech isn't a very well directed movie - still I'm not unhappy. And I shouldn't be too surprised either - yesterday the reviews of The King's Speech came out here and they were - I'm not joking - enthusiastic. Many even saw in this movie an example of "good" political power that Italians should learn from (some were explicit enough to openly mention Silvio Berlusconi as the "bad" opposite of George VI). The audience I saw it with, as I already said, loved it. And The Social Network? Only one critic, in the most popular weekly show about movies on Italian tv, shyly admitted that he was still rooting for it for the Oscars; the others looked at him as if he was an extraterrestrial.

It may be that The Social Network peaked too early. But it's not just that, I think. I'd say that it's more a case of a movie that the critics (American critics mostly, but not only) and a certain generation of filmgoers are led to admire and find meaningful, but that leaves others absolutely cold. The combination of fashionable director, fashionable and contemporary subject, and fashionably "smart" dialogue forced many to declare it a great movie, even those who should have known better (it's Big Magilla's number 1 movie of the year - this is the most evident proof of brainwashing). And especially after reading the glowing reviews and the detailed analysises, one, like me, has every right to feel even more disappointed about that neverending collection of sit-com-level lines. No, the most important American movie since Schindler's List it isn't, this I'm sure of, and overselling something is always a mistake one sooner or later has to pay for.

And they are paying sooner than I thought. The Acting Branch - which is, after all, the widest in the Academy - started by ignoring Andrew Garfield, selecting in his place one actor from a movie which wouldn' t have been a Best Picture nominee under the old 5-slots rules (either John Hawkes or, less probably, Mark Ruffalo). This in itself wouldn't mean too much - but Garfield provided the human side of a movie that without him would have been completely frigid (again, the kind of movie that critics admire); this actor's absence from the nominations was more than just a supporting performance being overlooked - it was, and is, a clear signal.

And now, the DGA. Fincher is a better director than Hooper, I know. But is The Social Network a masterpiece of film direction? It's not - it goes smoothly and it doesn't have some of The King's Speech's mistakes, but let's face it, it's not Fincher's most impressive job ever.

Is The Social Network completely dead now? Unlike Sonic Youth, I did go through that depressing series of precursors where it seemed that the Facebook movie was this ultimate American work of art, and I can't ignore them or the fact that even the NBR (for which The King's Speech seemed like the perfect choice) picked it. And I can't see it getting only Best Adapted Screenplay (though that screenplay - irritating as it sounded to me - is its raison d'etre, and an especially showy one). But yes, Best Picture, while not completely lost, is certainly now an uphill struggle.




Edited By ITALIANO on 1296388841
Uri
Adjunct
Posts: 1230
Joined: Wed Jan 01, 2003 11:37 pm
Location: Israel

Post by Uri »

Yes, it seems there won't be another Jew oriented best picture this year. Their big mistake was that they didn't arrange for Zukerberg to have a holocaust survivor grandmother in the movie.
Reza
Laureate Emeritus
Posts: 10031
Joined: Thu Jan 02, 2003 11:14 am
Location: Islamabad, Pakistan

Post by Reza »

What pleasant news on a Sunday morning !!

I guess The Social Network now stands fucked.
Post Reply

Return to “83rd Predictions and Precursors”