American Hustle (2013) D: Russell S: Bale, Cooper, Adams, Lawrence, Renner
12-23-13, 05:06 PM
#126
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Re: American Hustle (2013) D: Russell S: Bale, Cooper, Adams, Lawrence, Renner
Tyler Foster's last paragraph is aptly put and very succinct. eschews my sentiments perfectly.
As a director, Russell's style tends to change from film to film, but here he adopts someone else's. From the opening narration through to the many long shots and emphatic use of period music to score big sequences, there's no question he's trying to channel GoodFellas. It's not a good fit for Hustle, both because the story (as it appears on screen) isn't that operatic, and also because Russell's vision of the film is oddly small and cramped, backing away from the scope that defines Scorsese's movies. The most interesting thing going on cinematically is his strange fascination with hands: the camera frequently drifts off of faces and down to hands, folded on tables, gesturing, etc. In a more sly or clever film, this would be funnier, the film itself watching for the sleight of hand, but, although the film is entertaining, American Hustle stops at slight.
12-23-13, 07:41 PM
#127
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Re: American Hustle (2013) D: Russell S: Bale, Cooper, Adams, Lawrence, Renner
"Echos," you mean. "Eschews" would be if he put them away and disagreed.
Last edited by hanshotfirst1138; 12-23-13 at 08:22 PM.
12-23-13, 09:54 PM
#129
DVD Talk Legend
Re: American Hustle (2013) D: Russell S: Bale, Cooper, Adams, Lawrence, Renner
Saw it. Really good movie, but mostly due to solid acting from all involved. It seemed like they either needed to cut 20 minutes or add 20. I know it sounds weird, but that's kind of how it felt.
12-24-13, 12:06 AM
#130
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Re: American Hustle (2013) D: Russell S: Bale, Cooper, Adams, Lawrence, Renner
Tyler Foster's last paragraph is aptly put and very succinct. eschews my sentiments perfectly.
As a director, Russell's style tends to change from film to film, but here he adopts someone else's. From the opening narration through to the many long shots and emphatic use of period music to score big sequences, there's no question he's trying to channel GoodFellas. It's not a good fit for Hustle, both because the story (as it appears on screen) isn't that operatic, and also because Russell's vision of the film is oddly small and cramped, backing away from the scope that defines Scorsese's movies. The most interesting thing going on cinematically is his strange fascination with hands: the camera frequently drifts off of faces and down to hands, folded on tables, gesturing, etc. In a more sly or clever film, this would be funnier, the film itself watching for the sleight of hand, but, although the film is entertaining, American Hustle stops at slight.
12-24-13, 08:14 AM
#133
DVD Talk Legend
12-24-13, 08:15 AM
#134
DVD Talk Legend
Re: American Hustle (2013) D: Russell S: Bale, Cooper, Adams, Lawrence, Renner
^ If they went in wanting something more along the lines of Silver Linings Playbook, I could think of more than few reasons. If a group of people went, I would expect most except movie aficianados to not really like it. Rather slow paced and heavy on dialogue to which one must pay attention.
12-24-13, 08:17 AM
#135
12-24-13, 08:26 AM
#136
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12-24-13, 08:29 AM
#137
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Re: American Hustle (2013) D: Russell S: Bale, Cooper, Adams, Lawrence, Renner
I thought it was very good. I enjoyed the acting and the characters more than the plot, but it was still an entertaining film.
We had 4 people (2 separate couples at different times) walk out of the movie in the first 30 min. Who knows what their deal was but they got up and never came back.
We had 4 people (2 separate couples at different times) walk out of the movie in the first 30 min. Who knows what their deal was but they got up and never came back.
12-24-13, 08:32 AM
#138
DVD Talk Legend
Re: American Hustle (2013) D: Russell S: Bale, Cooper, Adams, Lawrence, Renner
I actually think AMERICAN HUSTLE is more BOOGIE NIGHTS than it is GOODFELLAS, but either comparison is on target. I enjoyed it quite a bit, but it's more about characters than it is about story - while GOODFELLAS had great characters AND a great story.
12-24-13, 08:50 AM
#139
DVD Talk Hero
Re: American Hustle (2013) D: Russell S: Bale, Cooper, Adams, Lawrence, Renner
Some would say that Boogie Nights also used the Scorsese template of making films. Raging Bull, for sure.
12-24-13, 08:56 AM
#140
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Re: American Hustle (2013) D: Russell S: Bale, Cooper, Adams, Lawrence, Renner
If you want to see what life in the '70s was really like, check out "The Eddie Money Story." It airs on Lifetime occasionally.
12-24-13, 09:37 AM
#141
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Re: American Hustle (2013) D: Russell S: Bale, Cooper, Adams, Lawrence, Renner
So much for quality cuz that channel rejects it.
I prefer the HBO drama of it.
I prefer the HBO drama of it.
12-24-13, 09:43 AM
#142
RIP
Re: American Hustle (2013) D: Russell S: Bale, Cooper, Adams, Lawrence, Renner
HBO completely manipulated the story to serve their own agenda.
Moving to Saving Mr. Banks thread.
Moving to Saving Mr. Banks thread.
12-25-13, 06:33 PM
#143
DVD Talk Limited Edition
12-25-13, 09:31 PM
#147
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
He was clearly channeling Scorsese and Altman at that point, I think his last two films have leaned more towards a more icy, deliberate, Kubrick-influenced style though, IMO. I think TWBB has some shades of Herzog too.
12-25-13, 10:29 PM
#149
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Re: American Hustle (2013) D: Russell S: Bale, Cooper, Adams, Lawrence, Renner
I liked it, but it wasn't nearly as good as I thought it was going to be.
First off, I thought the first 45 minutes was mostly boring, and overall he could've chopped about 20 minutes or more off the film and made it even better.
Once Jen Lawrence gets in it the energy lifts, and overall I think it gets better as it goes on.
Too much excess. Needed a better editor to trim the fat.
First off, I thought the first 45 minutes was mostly boring, and overall he could've chopped about 20 minutes or more off the film and made it even better.
Once Jen Lawrence gets in it the energy lifts, and overall I think it gets better as it goes on.
Too much excess. Needed a better editor to trim the fat.
12-26-13, 11:02 AM
#150
Re: American Hustle (2013) D: Russell S: Bale, Cooper, Adams, Lawrence, Renner
Sometimes a slow paced drama heavy on dialogue can be boring and lifeless, even one directed by David O. Russell. I wouldn't disagree with anyone who thought this film was boring and lifeless, no matter what % they represent of the movie going public.
Last edited by Mr. Cinema; 12-26-13 at 11:11 AM.