Reel Geezers- Atonement

[sdonoh]

Interesting review. Great, if devastating, movie.

On tracking shots, probably the most technically accomplished is the opening shot in Snake Eyes, a truly awful picture. Goes to show that great shots don't make great movies. Personally, I always get a bit suspicious whenever I notice any shot too much at the expense of the story or performances.

Exception: the shot across the dancefloor onto the drummer's face at the end of Hitchcock's Young and Innocent. Deserves to be better known.

[DimpleScot]

Some directors should just be given lots of money to make movies no questions asked. Joe Wright is one of them, others include Clint Eastwood, Steven Spielberg, Mel Gibson, Peter Mullan, Peter Jackson, Lynne Ramsay and Ridley Scott.

[DimpleScot]

@DimpleScot and Chris Nolan.

[hopefulcincin]

Marcia's lookin hot here.

[maitlanr]

this movie was terrible.

[SupernaturallyBAMed2]

It was a hell of a lot better than the rest of the crap that came out that year. When the brits want to, they get the job done. And atonement was a perfect example of what to do right in cinema. Should've gotten more recognition.

[TemplarReturns]

Not just cinema, well it does fall in there, is cinematography technique. The glossy look of water flirting with the sunlight, or the track shot of Dunkirk via Steadicam suggests real professional technique and helpful storyline reinforcement. It was a beautiful film. I mean im a dude but this was a great film. I loved it

[redatpct]

i love death defying acts by the way marcia!

[jje539]

Tracking shots...how about Orson Welles' opening shot in "Touch of Evil"?

[tacriner]

A beautiful movie.

[kayakmac08]

2:05 so funny :P

[NaturalTvventy]

this movie was generally horrible.

[SupernaturallyBAMed2]

If by horrible you mean great, then I agree lol.

[akhnaten114]

SPOILER WARNING!

I was into this film up until the big "surprise" near the end where we see Robbie and Cecilia reunited at last. We are then spun completely around when we are told that that part never happened, it was a fiction within the fiction. I was appalled. It's the same gimmick as the guy waking from the dream and being told that all that stuff he (and us) saw never happened. It's a total cheat. Just tell us a story plainly without resorting to these contrivances.

[snappykat19]

great film

[popcornwbutter]

IMO: I thought the movie died after the accusation. The shots were beatutiful to watch, but the story was painfully boring and contrived. My date fell asleep, which I envied.

[Havenscope]

This was my choice as Best Picture of the Year, and I'm glad the golden globe's at least agreed. I thought it was going to be some typical romance. But it was more of a tragedy than a romance. Absolutely compelling and yet, depressing film.

[cilynily]

I also loved this movie but felt misled. It wasn't a passionate love story as advertised. It's a tragedy of lives destroyed. We barely witness their feeling for each other before their world is turned upside down.

[rustyquoin]

I thought it was a terrific movie. I thought that Vanessa Redgrave's performance, as the eldest Briony, during the television interview, was especially poignant. This 77 y/o woman (if that's right), who had written 21 novels, this her last, had carried the guilt of one day, when she was 13, through her life. Knowing that her actions had somehow led to the deaths of two people so close to her, was one big guilt to carry. And they would have forgiven her, at least in my mind.

[mutantpotatoe]

I agree with Marcia. The movie was good, but I didn't feel that much emotions.

[shinigame23]

DISAPPONTMENT

[bcoombs1988]

I didn't like this movie, and I agree with Marcia. I just found it a bit uppity, and I couldn't relate to or feel anything for any of the characters.

[Stephanie2082]

loved the movie, i thought the acting was great and it's a beautiful story.

[cascol]

And don't forget the 6-minute tracking shot that opens Robert Altman's film about the movie business, "The Player".

[cascol]

You want a great tracking shot? It was the 90 minute 2002 Russian film "Russian Ark" with 2000 characters, winding its way through 33 rooms of the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg. One for the record book.

[lacompra]

La pelicula era de verdad decepcionante, lenta sin ritmo, predecible.Me gusta ver comentarios en español, y otros idiomas no sólo inglés.

[racsonam]

I didnt like the film. I thought it was too long and all the characters anoyed me and I felt nothing for any of them.

[tonireed1]

the movie was soooooooooooooooooo borrrrrrrrrrrriiiiiiiinnnnnngg­gggggg!

[zmthomas]

Yeah, it really was. Most over rated film of the year too.

[tonireed1]

i am curious do you think kiera knightly can act--do you think she is ever not herself and can take on a different persona? her charisma only seems to come out during interviews. i read that she learned early on to play herself older--so we have older without feel. am i alone in thinking she cannot act?

[oxhana]

no i don't think shes really that great, i mean she s not hilary duff bad. but she really has no range. just my opinion.

[tonireed1]

i am curious who do think has range? And when the acting is great how does it make you feel? do you ever lose your self- forget you are watching?

[oxhana]

well i think people like laura dern and ellen page are really great. when i "see" great acting i dont really feel like i'm watching someone do great acting i just feel like they are that person do you know what i mean? like it dosnt even enters my head that they are acting, i also like it when a performance moves me in some way i can't really explain it but when something resinates with me its just overwhelming and i like it to make me feel things i dont normaly feel on an everyday basis

[tonireed1]

yes! acting doesn't even enter your head because you are immersed in them and sometimes as you watch you forget that you are watching because you become of them and then you are free aren't you? free of yourself and your thoughts. in the same way you can merge with a painting when the painter was able to put his self, creation, being, call it what you will-into his art--and lose himself in his work as he freed himself from thought. way to go!!

[burroughs55]

These two are fun to watch. Too bad they're almost always wrong.

[vivezidane]

says who?

[burroughs55]

Says Metacritic and Rottentomatoes.You know what those websites are? They are a compilation of all the legitimate film critics from various publications. "No Country For Old Men" (which these two did not like) got a 92% on metacritic or "Universal Acclaim."

[burroughs55]

If you want further proof of why these two's opinions are generally inaccurate and misguided, let me know.

[vivezidane]

who gives a shit what two websites say? These two old farts arent on here telling people how to think about movies, and if thats what you think, you're delusional. Its merely opinion, and everyone can have one, no matter how many people watch their 5 minute skit on youtube. You must think the Zogby polls are the final word on everything eh?

[burroughs55]

Yeah, these two "old farts" aren't televising a weekly film review show to affect people's thoughts on film; they just want the free popcorn.

Hey, I want a critical opinion of the cinematography of "Badlands." Instead of reading the in-depth scholarly analysis of the senior film critic for the Village Voice , I'll just ask my Grandma. She would know better than he would...

[steveohalley]

You guys are great. I really enjoyed the film, I thought the performances of James McAvoy, and all 3 Brionys: Saoirse Ronan, Romola Garai, and Vanessa Redgrave were excellent.

It is a movie where the overwhelming emotion at the end is the emptiness that is regret, and the knowledge there is nothing you can do about it.

Also agree with you that No Country For Old Men has been overpraised.

[ItsBrent]

i saw this movie last night and i agree with both of you. At the end.. i really didn't know what to take away from the film. I was very.. middle of the road on this one.

Another great review

-Brent

[sarahmalekzadeh1]

in kite runner the novel he writes isn't the story of the movie... i haven't seen the movie yet but that's not how it happens in the book

[Mjaffe11]

I have to agree with Marcia on this review. I think it's a great story and thought the cinematography was phenomenal. I also liked how they incorporated the sound of the typewriter into the movies' music soundtrack (genius), however, I had a very hard time connecting with the characters which, in turn, left me feeling quite emotionless at the end. It's a shame because James McAvoy and Vanessa Redgrave are such a brilliant actors.

[phenomenalgrl]

wow! i really enjoy your reviews! i am definitely a movie aficionado and think your opinions are presented in a witty and engaging manner.

thank you.

[proudhoof]

I would love to hear what you guys think of the movie Children of Men considering you mentioned the long tracking shots which in my opinion were absolutely stunning in Children of Men.

[MasterNemesis102]

About the letter, (I have not yet read the book so it may be clearer there) I never had the impression that it was not the letter he had meant to send in the first place, but that he had a change in thought after handing it over.

[plethora77]

I definitely got that that wasn't the letter he meant to send. The major visual clue for me was that he folds the inappropriate letter and put it on his desk, and then over top of the images of Cecilia getting dressed, Robbie speaks the simple letter he intends to send her (the "Dear Cecilia/Will you forgive me" letter).

[homeimps]

I have read the book twice. Definitely Robbie made a mistake. He grabbed the first letter at hand, forgetting he had two letters on the desk. I can see this happening in real life. I am a retired teacher, and I remember giving the wrong interview to the wrong parent, who showed up out of order, before I twigged to that fact. Most embarrassing!

[tickmann]

Wonderful! I have seen the future.. These two look "old" yet they remain SO articulate, insightful, sharp, witty, happy, fulfilled, entertaining..... "Please dearest Lord, allow me to grow old like these two, amen"..

[timbobel]

i agree.

[jontomato]

You guys are fantastic. I look forward to watching your movie reviews much more than I look forward to Ebert and Roeper.

[yellowman88]

Ebert and Roeper got nothing on these Reel Geezers

[Beccathepromomami]

about the tracking shots :: isn't this film from the same ppl who produced pride and prejudice?

they played around with tracking shots in that movie too :: but it was far more subtle

i LOVE your reviews by the way :: in 60 years, when i'm 80, i hope i'm as sharp and witty as the two of you!

[narutoman1900]

"ppl" "i hope i'm as sharp and witty as the two of you!" Old men and women do not speak like this!

[mdc4life12]

What the hell does diafodous mean? He uses it in reference to her dress during the fountain scene.

[Beccathepromomami]

it's diaphanous :: its mostly used on runway commentary, which is why i found it to be HILARIOUS when used here

it basically describes something so delicate or thin it's transparent - usually fabrics

[everydayitstomorrow]

There is this thing called a dictionary...

[aajmw]

You two are wonderful. I loved Atonement.

[nerdysouth]

you are awesome

[cotyjarrett]

Lorenzo and Marcia,

Bravo to my newly favorite web personalities from a not entirely unsuccessful screenwriter. This coming from someone who watches "Three Days Of The Condor" at least once every two months (along with "Guns Of Navarone" and "The Great Escape"), so I suppose you might place me in the over-awed reverence camp to begin with. Having said that, your reviews tell me all I need to know (without knowing too much) in order to choose a movie.

Thanks so much for your effort.

Coty

[jexxigirl]

Hey guys, I subscribed. I review films for radio and have my own website...jen reviews movies dot com. These reviews are really amazing! Thank you!

[tonireed1]

This review did not address the acting. We all found the movie slow and boring because we cared nothing for Kiera K. She is without charisma on screen nor can she act. She needs to read Michael Chekhov. She only interviews well. Amazingly, not even the sublime McAvoy could lift her from herself. The Dunkirk scene sucked. All we need are feelings akin to essence to lose our selves in--actor's must deliver. Do any film makers besides Bresson know how to create atmosphere?

[Balzypipes]

Wow. Takes all kinds I guess. I thought she was absolutely wonderful.

[Kalein007]

Great insights. Very enjoyable reviews. It's nice to see reviewers with credentials for a change. One correction, the last shot of Marie Antoinette is of Tyrone Power (as Axel Fiersen) looking at a ring given to him my MA...

[nowayjose22]

This is so cool! Why can't the reel geezers be my age so I could see your reviews until I die?????

[StephenHoltShow]

This is the first time I've seen you guys, and you're now my instant favorites! Brilliant, incisive review! Marvelous! I've seen the film SIX times and I STILL was astounded at the fresh, new, perspectives you had on this wonderful film, which I can't stop thinking about! I do what you do, too. I have a TV in NYC that you can now see on YouTube, too! Stephen Holt

The Stephen Holt Show

I think you'll like it!

[adamkesher]

Still hooked on my favorite octogenarian duo of film critics. I look forward to your reviews every week.

[camrant]

My gosh, how refreshing it is to see and hear intelligent, thoughtful, insightful movie reviews by warm, delightful, kinowledgeable people. Thank you, thank you, and all the best in this new year.

[blue83galant]

Ah yes, an intelligent review of atonement. Thanks guys. A relief after watching somagirls.

[phishstyx]

Another review by the book fanclub. After seeing this flick is clear that reading the book is a mandatory prereq. Without that background, the story is disjointed, the "passion" without foundation. There's virtually no foundation in the film to sell the love between Cee and Robbie making the rest of the story feel 'so what'. Brione was unsympathetic, (pretentious and selfish to the end). Great cinematography, but with story full of holes, who cares.

[docontheweb]

Pretentious and selfish? Like your assessment it seems....

I saw the film without reading the book and was able to fully connect with all the characters and their plights. I had no problem following the story. Its all about one girls over imaginative mistake and the harrowing effect it has on two people. I think the film did a magnificent job of presenting this...

[phishstyx]

Thanks, I know what the movie is about. My point is simple, they don't spend hardly any time 'selling' the love, no foundation. R and C interact for barely 5 min in the opening. So, I didn't buy into that relationship, it had no 'power', so I didn't much care about the lie of the selfish brat. Yawn. Compare to Cold Mountain for example. That love was convincing.

[afewgoodclips]

Another great review from you guys. Keep it up, I love it. You two are in the biz, so try to get a weekly review show on cable. Maybe Bravo network or something. I think people would love it.

[portalplayer]

hahaha.. i doubt a TV channel would like the ReelGeezers idea.

[afewgoodclips]

Why do you say that? It's edgy and when they argue, it's funny as hell. They also do top notch, intelligent, and well informed reviews. It's perfect for cable.

[ottoskidoo]

Probably because most TV xecs are morons and only think what the kids" will want to suck on.

[maymaerg]

great review and love those stories!

[loneplainsman]

Lovely review - but BEWARE OF SPOILERS within. Great if you've seen it but not if you haven't... BEWARE!!