Black Swan

ajzepp · « **on:** 2 Apr 2011, 05:27 am »

Is there really no thread for this film either??

I finally saw this one a few days ago and I was very impressed. The sexual theme(s) were a bit over the top, but the acting and direction were stunningly good. I'm not a fan of ballet, but the camera work here was really great...I enjoyed the final performance much more than I expected to. Natalie Portman gives the best performance of her career, IMO, and she does a great job of portraying the dark, disturbing thoughts and emotions that are haunting her as she strives to bring out her very best as a dancer.

It's very easy to see why this film was nominated for best picture...if this were a no-name flick, I'd likely have never seen it. But a solid cast combined with a tremendous amount of well-deserved critical acclaim was more than enough motivation for me to give it a look. Thumbs up!

satfrat · « **Reply #1 on:** 2 Apr 2011, 06:09 am »

Yea, I saw it also at the theatre but just couldn't get into it. That said I could appreciate the storyline and it was very well acted. I'm also a big Natalie Portman fan anyways. But this just isn't my kinda movie. 2.5 out of 5 stars for me, but it should be higher for others I would imagine.

Cheers,
Robin

ajzepp · « **Reply #2 on:** 2 Apr 2011, 06:46 am »

Quote from: satfrat on 2 Apr 2011, 06:09 am

Yea, I saw it also at the theatre but just couldn't get into it. That said I could appreciate the storyline and it was very well acted. I'm also a big Natalie Portman fan anyways. But this just isn't my kinda movie. 2.5 out of 5 stars for me, but it should be higher for others I would imagine.

Cheers,
Robin

Technically it wasn't my type of movie either...for some reason this film has really stayed with me, though. I've contemplated it quite a bit over the last few days, and I think I like it more than I did after it just finished. I don't know that I have any desire to see it again, but I thought it was very effectively done. But yeah, typically I would have had absolutely no interest in a film of this nature, and honestly if I had been in a different mood I may not have given it enough of a chance to enjoy it.

satfrat · « **Reply #3 on:** 2 Apr 2011, 06:58 am »

Quote from: ajzepp on 2 Apr 2011, 06:46 am

Technically it wasn't my type of movie either...for some reason this film has really stayed with me, though. I've contemplated it quite a bit over the last few days, and I think I like it more than I did after it just finished. I don't know that I have any desire to see it again, but I thought it was very effectively done. But yeah, typically I would have had absolutely no interest in a film of this nature, and honestly if I had been in a different mood I may not have given it enough of a chance to enjoy it.

Really, I feel the same way about this movie and that's why I can acknowledge it's right for a higher score than I can give it. The movie was very well done and that alone kept me watching. And the ending, well IMHO, it was the ending that earned this movie it's awards. The only real reason I even watched it was because it had been nominated for a Grammy.

But for me, it's a 1 and done movie. I'll never watch it again myself but I also don't regret watching it. Make sense?

Cheers,
Robin

ajzepp · « **Reply #4 on:** 2 Apr 2011, 07:24 am »

Quote from: satfrat on 2 Apr 2011, 06:58 am

Really, I feel the same way about this movie and that's why I can acknowledge it's right for a higher score than I can give it. The movie was very well done and that alone kept me watching. And the ending, well IMHO, it was the ending that earned this movie it's awards. The only real reason I even watched it was because it had been nominated for a Grammy.

But for me, it's a 1 and done movie. I'll never watch it again myself but I also don't regret watching it. Make sense?

Cheers,
Robin

Yep, I know exactly what you mean. And I totally agree about the end. That was an absolutely fantastic ending and I was VERY impressed with Natalie. Aronovsky (sp?) is a talented director, and I think this is one of those films where the direction takes front stage. Just a really good job all around.

highfilter · « **Reply #5 on:** 2 Apr 2011, 09:12 pm »

I watched it on Blu-ray last night and enjoyed the entire experience. Aronofsky is a fantastic director and has great vision, and can always seem to project it onto his films. There was a slightly uneasy feeling going throughout the film and I liked how everything was shot and tied into the climbing ending. I also loved how the film was shot - definitely served better without the glossy Hollywood sheen.

Soundtrack was great again, by Clint Mansell. I'll watch it again, for sure.

kingdeezie · « **Reply #6 on:** 4 Apr 2011, 01:29 pm »

I watched this last night and came away feeling like I really want to like it more then I do.

From a technical standpoint, it's an amazing film. The atmasphere that aronofsky crafted was superb, and the acting was excellent.

However, I felt the film felt a little hollow.

Requiem for a dream, the Fountain, etc; all seemed to create a certain intellectual depth on a micro and macro scale.

Black Swan never seemed to serve any higher purpose, or bring me to any conclusion. It never gave me a reason to care for the main protagonists plight.

It also never gave me reason to buy into her psychosis. She seemed to be unhinged from the beginning if the movie before she ever landed the main role.

Overall it seems a shame, some of the film was breathtaking; but in the end I was looking for more filler from aronofsky; the film as a whole felt two dimensional.

vadang · « **Reply #7 on:** 5 Apr 2011, 09:20 pm »

New guy here, hopefully not criticized for this being my first post, but I tend to do a lot of reading of technical stuff before asking questions....however, I watch a lot of movies and have come to the conclusion that I must be a very uncultured-unsophisticated person/moviewatcher.

I watched this movie and many award winning movies with my wife and more times than not I am left confused on why the films are so great. Now i don't think this movie was horrible, but I did not get into it nor did I have any kind of emotional reaction to it. I suppose the acting was fine, but just not a movie I care to see again.

I don't dig too deep into movie reviews too much more than if I enjoyed the movie or not. For example, Gran Torino, horrible acting, but I still enjoyed the movie.

So overall, I did not enjoy the movie.

ajzepp · « **Reply #8 on:** 7 Apr 2011, 02:31 am »

Quote from: vadang on 5 Apr 2011, 09:20 pm

New guy here, hopefully not criticized for this being my first post, but I tend to do a lot of reading of technical stuff before asking questions....however, I watch a lot of movies and have come to the conclusion that I must be a very uncultured-unsophisticated person/moviewatcher.

I watched this movie and many award winning movies with my wife and more times than not I am left confused on why the films are so great. Now i don't think this movie was horrible, but I did not get into it nor did I have any kind of emotional reaction to it. I suppose the acting was fine, but just not a movie I care to see again.

I don't dig too deep into movie reviews too much more than if I enjoyed the movie or not. For example, Gran Torino, horrible acting, but I still enjoyed the movie.

So overall, I did not enjoy the movie.

I think we've all been in that position, my friend. Sometimes there are films I'll watch that are critically acclaimed, or academy award winners, or just plain loved by friends/family....yet I don't enjoy it at all, or simply don't think it's a very good film.

With regard to Black Swan, for me the film played out like a character study. That's why I found Natalie Portman's acting to be FAR beyond what she has ever done before. I thought of her as the center point of the film, and then examined all the relationships that stemmed from her and the impact they had in shaping her character right up until that final moment in the performance. She had the relationship with her mom, who was a former dancer and gave up her career for Natalie....you have the instructor who is pressuring her to discover her sexual/seductive side in order to more convincingly portray the black swan....you have the dancer who natalie replaced, who is all over natalie's you know what as a result...then there is the rival dancer who natalie is trying to fend off and passively compete with....its a LOT of stuff on this girls shoulders! lol She's under pressure from every direction, trying to discover deep, dark aspects of herself and attempting to live up to and surpass the standard set by winona ryder's character. It's fertile ground for some pretty wicked psychosis, and the film does a wonderful job allowing us to be privy to it all along the way.

I don't know about you guys, but to me that is very intense....and I loved every minute

S Clark · « **Reply #9 on:** 7 Apr 2011, 03:03 am »

When you pull 20 lbs off of Portman it really made her show her age. Ballerinas that are getting their first big break are young, just as Natalie plays her. The problem was, no matter what camera angle or how much makeup, she looked early/mid 30's. It was hard to believe a 32 year old woman clinging to her teddy bear.
It was an interesting movie, but not a great one by any stretch.

Chromisdesigns · « **Reply #10 on:** 7 Apr 2011, 06:11 am »

IMHO, Black Swan only missed becoming an instant midnite-maniacs classic by a hair. All it needed was a couple chainsaws and a few (detached) flying limbs to become immortal -- shame they didn't really let it all hang out! And they might have better titled it, for instance "Jason Goes to the Ballet", or "Steven King's Swan Lake".

My wife and I were groaning / howling at it by the end of the movie...

What, you thought they were serious???

jimdgoulding · « **Reply #11 on:** 7 Apr 2011, 06:23 am »

Quote from: Chromisdesigns on 7 Apr 2011, 06:11 am

IMHO, Black Swan only missed becoming an instant midnite-maniacs classic by a hair. All it needed was a couple chainsaws and a few (detached) flying limbs to become immortal -- shame they didn't really let it all hang out! And they might have better titled it, for instance "Jason Goes to the Ballet", or "Steven King's Swan Lake".

My wife and I were groaning / howling at it by the end of the movie...

What, you thought they were serious???

I haven't seen it, but that is a howling funny critique alright!

The director is a mixed bag for me. I haven't seen his first, "Pi", but saw a documentary on how he made it with no money and was impressed. His next movie about drug use was pure middle class fantasy. Didn't respect that effort, but "The Wrestler" was well done to me with great performances. Based on that, I'll see his latest on DVD. Ya'll be cool.

Chromisdesigns · « **Reply #12 on:** 8 Apr 2011, 06:26 pm »

Quote from: jimdgoulding on 7 Apr 2011, 06:23 am

The director is a mixed bag for me. I haven't seen his first, "Pi", but saw a documentary on how he made it with no money and was impressed. His next movie about drug use was pure middle class fantasy. Didn't respect that effort, but "The Wrestler" was well done to me with great performances. Based on that, I'll see his latest on DVD. Ya'll be cool.

Pi wasn't bad, especially for a low-budget first film. I agree about the next one. And The Wrestler was good cinema, and I agree, wonderful acting. Black Swan was, well...you read my take!

Maybe he's a "one on, one off" kinda guy. Guess I'll go see the next one to see if he stays in pattern.

pjchappy · « **Reply #13 on:** 8 Apr 2011, 06:37 pm »

Just watched it last night. I enjoyed it and am glad I watched it. Was definitely a bit different. I though Portman's acting was great.

Paul

spudco · « **Reply #14 on:** 11 Apr 2011, 01:24 pm »

Just watched. My wife and I are very serious film fans. We were both hoping for something better and by the end of the film were wishing it would just go away.

The direction and performances were good, but the whole film was just to heavy handed. I felt like I was being hit in the head by a sledge hammer with the extended metaphors.

We won't be watching this again.

Martyn · « **Reply #15 on:** 12 Apr 2011, 05:17 am »

Interesting, but weird to the point of self-indulgent. I think I even laughed out loud a couple of times. It's probably 3 stars for me, although it's not something I'd bother seeing twice.

Phil A · « **Reply #16 on:** 12 Apr 2011, 12:50 pm »

I watched this past weekend. Thought the movie was well done but overhyped. I find that with many films of recent vintage that have gotten or been nominated for awards vs. in the past. Often, they are not something I can see watching again.

jriggy · « **Reply #17 on:** 12 Apr 2011, 03:11 pm »

Just watched two nights ago... The one thing I found odd was actually seeing her hallucinations as if we were in her head but then having absolutely no background into her character or why she was such a tortured soul.
It all felt a little disconnected to me -- to view her actions as a stranger would, but then to only be inside her nightmare side of things... Errr something like that...

ajzepp · « **Reply #18 on:** 13 Apr 2011, 05:53 am »

Quote from: jriggy on 12 Apr 2011, 03:11 pm

Just watched two nights ago... The one thing I found odd was actually seeing her hallucinations as if we were in her head but then having absolutely no background into her character or why she was such a tortured soul.
It all felt a little disconnected to me -- to view her actions as a stranger would, but then to only be inside her nightmare side of things... Errr something like that...

Really? I felt the factors contributing to her psychosis were pretty well established, actually.

JoshK · « **Reply #19 on:** 13 Apr 2011, 05:20 pm »

I thought the cinematography was great, but the plot sucked. I think that the factors contributing to her psychosis weren't very believable even if they were established.