Valkyrie Review (dir. Singer, Cruise)

JPRaup · 12-04-08, 11:24 PM

Saw an early screening of Valkyrie, I thought it was terrible, but my fellow writer wrote this nice review on our site. I would check it out:

http://.blogspot.com/200...out-of-10.html

Bottom-Line:

Quote:

"A well-made, mediocrly-acted, hot-and-cold political thriller that is hot more than it is cold. And for those who thought this would garner Cruise an Oscar nom or some significant acting cred, you are wrong. Sorry."

He gave it a 6.5 outta 10. I would give it a 4 out of 10.

redskull · 12-04-08, 11:45 PM

I would give just about anything to somehow go back in time and be on the Valkyrie set the day that this happened:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4216877a1860.html

Haven't seen the movie, but I saw the trailer and was annoyed that they apparently made no effort to affect German accents. It might be a cheesy, but seeing everyone walk around in Nazi uniforms, speaking with American accents really throws me off.

GreenVulture · 12-05-08, 01:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redskull

Haven't seen the movie, but I saw the trailer and was annoyed that they apparently made no effort to affect German accents.

As opposed to all the British actors playing German officers and still speaking with their natural British accents? I'm not understanding why people are so up in arms over Cruise speaking with a US accent, but have no problem accepting the fact that Germans in the movie are speaking English. If you can accept one, why not the other?

Also:

Quote:

"A well-made, mediocrly-acted, hot-and-cold political thriller that is hot more than it is cold. And for those who thought this would garner Cruise an Oscar nom or some significant acting cred, you are wrong. Sorry."

I take issue with that "significant acting cred" remark, seeing as how Cruise gained it all the way back in 1986 with The Color of Money and then cemented it with Born on the Fourth of July.

JPRaup · 12-05-08, 08:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redskull

Haven't seen the movie, but I saw the trailer and was annoyed that they apparently made no effort to affect German accents. It might be a cheesy, but seeing everyone walk around in Nazi uniforms, speaking with American accents really throws me off.

That's what threw me off the whole movie. I tried my hardest to enjoy it, but I just couldn't get past that fact. It was definitely a part that ruined the movie for me.

Quote:

Originally Posted by GreenVulture

I take issue with that "significant acting cred" remark, seeing as how Cruise gained it all the way back in 1986 with The Color of Money and then cemented it with Born on the Fourth of July.

He meant in addition to those roles. No one is going to look back at Valkyrie in 5-10 years and think he did a great job.

Shilex · 12-05-08, 09:11 AM

It's the same damn thing that annoyed me about Enemy at the Gates. I just couldn't get past the accents (regardless of how good/bad the movie was).

Sean O'Hara · 12-05-08, 11:51 AM

Do you people get pissed because actors in Three Musketeer movies don't speak with French accents?

Hokeyboy · 12-05-08, 12:00 PM

Nobody in 300 sounded Greek to me.

jpb07 · 12-05-08, 03:25 PM

Just pointing out the obvious here but both of the movies you guys have mentioned take place centuries ago. I think WWII stuff is still recent enough that accents do ADD to the realism of it. I mean we don't have video or audio of the 300 or the 3 musketeers but we DO have a ton of footage of the NAZIs. It is a subtle distinction. Now if you want to be completely realistic, this movie should be in German with English subtitles. In today's world accents seem to be the compromised result.

Shannon Nutt · 12-05-08, 03:48 PM

I don't mind the accent thing, but I think when you're doing a film like this, everyone should have the SAME accent. The problem with the Cruise film is that Cruise's German has an American accent, and his fellow Germans have British accents - THAT'S DISTRACTING!

JPRaup · 12-11-08, 03:43 PM

From IMDB:
"Trade Review: Valkyrie Will Be "Modest Success"

11 December 2008 1:39 AM, PST

Despite numerous predictions that the Tom Cruise historical drama Valkyrie, about the plot to assassinate Hitler during World War II, would become a disaster for both Cruise and his UA studio, the Hollywood Reporter in a review has called it a "coolly efficient, entertaining and straightforward tale" and has predicted "modest success" for it. "Singer has crafted a fine film," Kirk Honeycutt concluded in his trade review. "One just wishes for even greater details -- and a different ending." (The assassins were, of course, caught and executed.) The film is due to open on Christmas Day."

RichC2 · 12-11-08, 04:02 PM

That ending seems so fitting for Xmas day: Good guys lose, Hitler wins, Merry Christmas!

Groucho · 12-11-08, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Shannon Nutt

I don't mind the accent thing, but I think when you're doing a film like this, everyone should have the SAME accent. The problem with the Cruise film is that Cruise's German has an American accent, and his fellow Germans have British accents - THAT'S DISTRACTING!

As I pointed out in the other thread, this could be explained away in a line of dialogue -- just say his character is from another part of Germany.

(For those of you who have never lived in Germany, for a small country they have a wide variety of accents.)

Groucho · 12-11-08, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JPRaup

Kirk Honeycutt concluded in his trade review. "One just wishes for even greater details -- and a different ending."

I guess Honeycutt isn't much of a history buff.

DVD Josh · 12-11-08, 04:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redskull

I would give just about anything to somehow go back in time and be on the Valkyrie set the day that this happened:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4216877a1860.html

The source added: "So for somebody to pass wind in a situation like that is unforgivable."

And they fired the guy.

Unless this dude turned around, spread cheek and let go, this is ridiculous. People fart Tom. Not everyone has futuristic Scientology technology that has solved the farting epidemic yet.

GoldenJCJ · 12-11-08, 04:45 PM

^ I loved the line that said Cruise and the producers would be going through the video to find the culprit. For a movie that's been delayed countless times you'd think they would have had something more important to be doing.

William Fuld · 12-11-08, 04:48 PM

"mediocrly"?

SPRBD · 12-12-08, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by redskull

I would give just about anything to somehow go back in time and be on the Valkyrie set the day that this happened:
http://www.stuff.co.nz/4216877a1860.html

According to co-writer/producer Christopher McQuarrie, who was on location at the time of the moment of silence, none of that supposed incident was true. No fart. No investigation as to who ripped the fart.

And, although he didn't actually deny that the moment of silence was filmed, as the article claims, he talked about how difficult it was for him to find somebody who had captured the beautiful moment with a photographic camera.

Spicollidriver1 · 12-12-08, 04:29 PM

I was just looking at a release list and noticed that Valkyrie is listed as dec 26th now not the 25th is that an error or did they move this up since there is a lot competition that day

JPRaup · 12-22-08, 01:41 PM

I think it's still the 25th.

DonnachaOne · 12-22-08, 01:43 PM

I run a movie theatre. It's the 25th.

Artman · 12-22-08, 03:33 PM

This'll probably be the one my Dad and I check out Christmas day... looking forward to it.

mhg83 · 12-22-08, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RichC2

That ending seems so fitting for Xmas day: Good guys lose, Hitler wins, Merry Christmas!

Spoiler tags dammit! Now you've ruined the film for me

JPRaup · 12-26-08, 09:05 AM

Tom Cruise’s Valkerie (MGM/UA) has out-performed industry expectations, and its $7.35M opening day should translate to a 4-day of $29.72M, good for 4th place.

chris_sc77 · 12-26-08, 10:36 AM

^Good to hear.

kristina · 12-26-08, 10:43 AM

I saw an advanced screening of this movie. Considering I'm usualy not the typical WW2/history buff, I'd give the movie three stars just for being able to keep my attention. As for the storyline, it seemed to go down the same road as I've heard other history-based movies have...where they show the outcome of the people involved... I always get nervous seeing that sort of footage.

View Poll Results: Rate the Film
	2	3.77%
	21	39.62%
	10	18.87%
	2	3.77%
	0	0%
	0	0%
I'm going to wait for DVD.	9	16.98%
I'm never going to watch this movie.	9	16.98%
Voters: 53. You may not vote on this poll

12-04-08, 11:45 PM	#2
redskull Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 409	I would give just about anything to somehow go back in time and be on the Valkyrie set the day that this happened: http://www.stuff.co.nz/4216877a1860.html Haven't seen the movie, but I saw the trailer and was annoyed that they apparently made no effort to affect German accents. It might be a cheesy, but seeing everyone walk around in Nazi uniforms, speaking with American accents really throws me off. __________________ RedSkull

12-05-08, 09:11 AM	#5
Shilex DVD Talk Gold Edition Join Date: Oct 1999 Location: Augusta, GA USA Posts: 2,025	It's the same damn thing that annoyed me about Enemy at the Gates. I just couldn't get past the accents (regardless of how good/bad the movie was). __________________ ============================================ Bender: Oh... I think I have whiplash. Leela: You can't have whiplash. You don't have a neck. Bender: I meant Ass-Whiplash.

12-05-08, 11:51 AM	#6
Sean O'Hara DVD Talk Platinum Edition Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Gitmo Nation Central Administrative Zone Posts: 3,830	Do you people get pissed because actors in Three Musketeer movies don't speak with French accents? __________________ My Blog Librivox Short Story Collection 34 with my reading of Jack London's "War" Les Miserables Volume 1 with my reading of "Four and Four"

12-05-08, 12:00 PM	#7
Hokeyboy DVD Talk Limited Edition Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Fort Lauderdale, FL Posts: 6,103	Nobody in 300 sounded Greek to me. __________________ This guy of all people. Hokeyboy, one of the most ignorant, thoughtless posters I've seen on here. I've seen your act and it isn't good. -- bootsy Hokeyboy is like, the biggest douche of the year! -- gglass4269 He's probably a very well paid anticop douche, thank you very much. -- CaptainMarvel

12-05-08, 03:25 PM	#8
jpb07 Member Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 228	Just pointing out the obvious here but both of the movies you guys have mentioned take place centuries ago. I think WWII stuff is still recent enough that accents do ADD to the realism of it. I mean we don't have video or audio of the 300 or the 3 musketeers but we DO have a ton of footage of the NAZIs. It is a subtle distinction. Now if you want to be completely realistic, this movie should be in German with English subtitles. In today's world accents seem to be the compromised result. __________________ http://www.dvdspot.com/member=jpb07

12-05-08, 03:48 PM	#9
Shannon Nutt DVD Talk Limited Edition Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 6,791	I don't mind the accent thing, but I think when you're doing a film like this, everyone should have the SAME accent. The problem with the Cruise film is that Cruise's German has an American accent, and his fellow Germans have British accents - THAT'S DISTRACTING! __________________ http://www.facebook.com/people/Shannon-Nutt/642637351

12-11-08, 03:43 PM	#10
JPRaup Banned Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: NY Posts: 1,722	From IMDB: "Trade Review: Valkyrie Will Be "Modest Success" 11 December 2008 1:39 AM, PST Despite numerous predictions that the Tom Cruise historical drama Valkyrie, about the plot to assassinate Hitler during World War II, would become a disaster for both Cruise and his UA studio, the Hollywood Reporter in a review has called it a "coolly efficient, entertaining and straightforward tale" and has predicted "modest success" for it. "Singer has crafted a fine film," Kirk Honeycutt concluded in his trade review. "One just wishes for even greater details -- and a different ending." (The assassins were, of course, caught and executed.) The film is due to open on Christmas Day."

12-11-08, 04:02 PM	#11
RichC2 DVD Talk Legend Join Date: May 2001 Posts: 11,160	That ending seems so fitting for Xmas day: Good guys lose, Hitler wins, Merry Christmas! __________________ Toshiba HD-A2 / Sony Playstation 3 60gb Xbox Live Tag: Gumai / PSN Tag: Seihaku

12-11-08, 04:45 PM	#15
GoldenJCJ DVD Talk Ultimate Edition Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: Colorado Posts: 4,519	^ I loved the line that said Cruise and the producers would be going through the video to find the culprit. For a movie that's been delayed countless times you'd think they would have had something more important to be doing. __________________ ... My Countdown Counting down to: THE END OF THE WORLD - 12/21/2012 1125 days 0 hours 36 minutes

12-11-08, 04:48 PM	#16
William Fuld DVD Talk Gold Edition Join Date: Sep 1999 Posts: 2,675	"mediocrly"?

12-12-08, 04:29 PM	#18
Spicollidriver1 DVD Talk Limited Edition Join Date: Jan 2000 Location: MN Posts: 5,924	I was just looking at a release list and noticed that Valkyrie is listed as dec 26th now not the 25th is that an error or did they move this up since there is a lot competition that day __________________ "Foley Is GoOd" 360voice

12-22-08, 01:41 PM	#19
JPRaup Banned Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: NY Posts: 1,722	I think it's still the 25th.

12-22-08, 01:43 PM	#20
DonnachaOne DVD Talk Hall of Fame Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: A place where they know how to pronounce "Donnacha" correctly Posts: 8,492	I run a movie theatre. It's the 25th. __________________ -_--_-

12-22-08, 03:33 PM	#21
Artman DVD Talk Ultimate Edition Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 4,403	This'll probably be the one my Dad and I check out Christmas day... looking forward to it.

12-26-08, 09:05 AM	#23
JPRaup Banned Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: NY Posts: 1,722	Tom Cruise’s Valkerie (MGM/UA) has out-performed industry expectations, and its $7.35M opening day should translate to a 4-day of $29.72M, good for 4th place.

12-26-08, 10:36 AM	#24
chris_sc77 Suspended Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Bellefontaine, Ohio Posts: 5,628	^Good to hear.

12-26-08, 10:43 AM	#25
kristina Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: LA Posts: 313	I saw an advanced screening of this movie. Considering I'm usualy not the typical WW2/history buff, I'd give the movie three stars just for being able to keep my attention. As for the storyline, it seemed to go down the same road as I've heard other history-based movies have...where they show the outcome of the people involved... I always get nervous seeing that sort of footage.