Milk (Van Sant, 2008)
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From: Bellefontaine, Ohio
12:40 at the Gateway (which I think is the only place this one is playing in C-bus as of now.) I also followed it up with Synecdoche, New York at the same place since that was the only place that film was playing as well. Two great movies today.
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From: Bellefontaine, Ohio
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I saw this to review it for my school paper (and I wanted to see it period). I thought about just writing "Eh, it was kind of gay" and seeing if anyone got it.
But seriously, this was a stunner. Van Sant and his editor threw mixed the film with doc footage in that awesome JFK/Forrest Gump way, and even though it goes through the biopic motions, it really avoids putting Milk on a pedestal (even though it doesn't show many flaws in the man), which makes him easier to identify with. Penn put in the first performance of his I've really loved since Mystic River. One of the year's best, from what I've seen.
But seriously, this was a stunner. Van Sant and his editor threw mixed the film with doc footage in that awesome JFK/Forrest Gump way, and even though it goes through the biopic motions, it really avoids putting Milk on a pedestal (even though it doesn't show many flaws in the man), which makes him easier to identify with. Penn put in the first performance of his I've really loved since Mystic River. One of the year's best, from what I've seen.
#58
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I do have to say it was fun that the projection was screwed up at the screening I went to and I had to be the person to go complain- twice. It finally got fixed about 10 minutes into the movie.
#59
DVD Talk Special Edition
Great film, I prefer the documentary as Milk has a spirit that I'm not sure any actor can capture.
#60
My mind knew it was not the most well made film, but my heart completely loved it. I have always been fascinated by the story, and I think it served the historical context, and the eery connection with Prop 8 very well.
Something about the human rights struggle really got to me.
I never cry at movies, and I teared up a half dozen times during this one.
It's going to be really close between Mickey Rourke and Sean Penn come awards time.
Something about the human rights struggle really got to me.
I never cry at movies, and I teared up a half dozen times during this one.
It's going to be really close between Mickey Rourke and Sean Penn come awards time.
#61
DVD Talk Limited Edition
saw it last night, great movie, even better performance. I'm not a homophobic but this movie really lays on the gay. Only 1 female character and 95% of everybody else is gay and constantly kissing. Sean Penn really is amazing in this, the best dramatic performance he's ever done (nothing touches Spicoli). The archive footage fits in perfectly with the look of the film, I remember during one of the first riots the camera zooms in on the police beating people up and it looked like it was filmed back in the day.
One of my only complaints was the Diego Luna character, his character seems unnecessary and didn't add much to the film (he was so over the top it actually took me out of the film a little). I also felt they should've fleshed out Josh Brolins character a little more. I know the film is called Milk and is about Harvey Milk but I didn't see the motivation.
In the top 5 for the year, but it doesn't touch Slumdog Millionaire.
One of my only complaints was the Diego Luna character, his character seems unnecessary and didn't add much to the film (he was so over the top it actually took me out of the film a little). I also felt they should've fleshed out Josh Brolins character a little more. I know the film is called Milk and is about Harvey Milk but I didn't see the motivation.
In the top 5 for the year, but it doesn't touch Slumdog Millionaire.
#62
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#63
DVD Talk Limited Edition
saw it last night, great movie, even better performance. I'm not a homophobic but this movie really lays on the gay. Only 1 female character and 95% of everybody else is gay and constantly kissing. Sean Penn really is amazing in this, the best dramatic performance he's ever done (nothing touches Spicoli). The archive footage fits in perfectly with the look of the film, I remember during one of the first riots the camera zooms in on the police beating people up and it looked like it was filmed back in the day.
One of my only complaints was the Diego Luna character, his character seems unnecessary and didn't add much to the film (he was so over the top it actually took me out of the film a little). I also felt they should've fleshed out Josh Brolins character a little more. I know the film is called Milk and is about Harvey Milk but I didn't see the motivation.
In the top 5 for the year, but it doesn't touch Slumdog Millionaire.
One of my only complaints was the Diego Luna character, his character seems unnecessary and didn't add much to the film (he was so over the top it actually took me out of the film a little). I also felt they should've fleshed out Josh Brolins character a little more. I know the film is called Milk and is about Harvey Milk but I didn't see the motivation.
In the top 5 for the year, but it doesn't touch Slumdog Millionaire.
Regarding Diego Luna, he was a real person and Dan White, well what more did you really want to know. I remember reading the articles. That's who he was. Not much else to say. He was a wacko that killed two people and got off on the twinkie defense.
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From: Berkeley, CA

Thought it was a beautiful film, truly affecting, with Penn's subtle work - by his standards - the anchor and reason entire for the outpouring sensation of emotion that overwhelms you by the end. Despite being fairly straightforward in structure, Van Sant allows some auteurist touches in visual presentation without bordering into pretension at any stage; as has proven when he's at his best.
#65
DVD Talk Limited Edition
I realize that, I was just taken back by the amount of man love in it, it seemed like every scene ended with two guys kissing. Brokeback dealt with gay issues but didn't have Jake and Heath making out in every scene.
As I said before, I'm not homophobic, just not used to it.
As I said before, I'm not homophobic, just not used to it.
#66
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saw it last night, great movie, even better performance. I'm not a homophobic but this movie really lays on the gay. Only 1 female character and 95% of everybody else is gay and constantly kissing. Sean Penn really is amazing in this, the best dramatic performance he's ever done (nothing touches Spicoli). The archive footage fits in perfectly with the look of the film, I remember during one of the first riots the camera zooms in on the police beating people up and it looked like it was filmed back in the day.
One of my only complaints was the Diego Luna character, his character seems unnecessary and didn't add much to the film (he was so over the top it actually took me out of the film a little). I also felt they should've fleshed out Josh Brolins character a little more. I know the film is called Milk and is about Harvey Milk but I didn't see the motivation.
In the top 5 for the year, but it doesn't touch Slumdog Millionaire.
One of my only complaints was the Diego Luna character, his character seems unnecessary and didn't add much to the film (he was so over the top it actually took me out of the film a little). I also felt they should've fleshed out Josh Brolins character a little more. I know the film is called Milk and is about Harvey Milk but I didn't see the motivation.
In the top 5 for the year, but it doesn't touch Slumdog Millionaire.
#67
DVD Talk Limited Edition
I realize that, I was just taken back by the amount of man love in it, it seemed like every scene ended with two guys kissing. Brokeback dealt with gay issues but didn't have Jake and Heath making out in every scene.
As I said before, I'm not homophobic, just not used to it.
As I said before, I'm not homophobic, just not used to it.
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From: Jersey represent!
Just saw this over the weekend, and I thought it was great. The love scenes did catch me off-guard at first, only because it's not something you see very often in mainstream movies, but it was tastefully done and I didn't find it excessive or distracting.
I lost it during the last few scenes, which were alternately heartbreaking and uplifting, and now I'd like to see The Times of Harvey Milk (the documentary).
I lost it during the last few scenes, which were alternately heartbreaking and uplifting, and now I'd like to see The Times of Harvey Milk (the documentary).
#72
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
My birthday was last Monday, and my dad and I went and saw this on the
14th. The theater was pretty full which surprised me for a mid afternoon Sunday showing. Anyway, we both thought the film was extremely good and were happy to have seen it over something else. Not much else was out that I was interested in seeing. Originally I wasn't to interested in the film since Van Sant made it and I'm not that impressed with his work. But the trailer piqued my interest, and so I thought I'd give it a chance.
As my dad said afterwards, it's sad how little has changed in terms of the excuses people use to rally against homosexuality and so forth. He is also interested in seeing The Times of Harvery Milk documentary now, which I saw years ago on IFC.
All in all, it was one of the best dramatic features we saw this year. Meanwhile Rambo and Doomsday were on par for best action flicks we saw earlier this year. In fact, Doomsday was the last movie we saw in theaters until Milk. That's how bad the selection of films has been this year, with nothing really standing out and making us want to go to the theater.
14th. The theater was pretty full which surprised me for a mid afternoon Sunday showing. Anyway, we both thought the film was extremely good and were happy to have seen it over something else. Not much else was out that I was interested in seeing. Originally I wasn't to interested in the film since Van Sant made it and I'm not that impressed with his work. But the trailer piqued my interest, and so I thought I'd give it a chance.
As my dad said afterwards, it's sad how little has changed in terms of the excuses people use to rally against homosexuality and so forth. He is also interested in seeing The Times of Harvery Milk documentary now, which I saw years ago on IFC.
All in all, it was one of the best dramatic features we saw this year. Meanwhile Rambo and Doomsday were on par for best action flicks we saw earlier this year. In fact, Doomsday was the last movie we saw in theaters until Milk. That's how bad the selection of films has been this year, with nothing really standing out and making us want to go to the theater.
#73
DVD Talk Limited Edition
#74
My birthday was last Monday, and my dad and I went and saw this on the
14th. The theater was pretty full which surprised me for a mid afternoon Sunday showing. Anyway, we both thought the film was extremely good and were happy to have seen it over something else. Not much else was out that I was interested in seeing. Originally I wasn't to interested in the film since Van Sant made it and I'm not that impressed with his work. But the trailer piqued my interest, and so I thought I'd give it a chance.
As my dad said afterwards, it's sad how little has changed in terms of the excuses people use to rally against homosexuality and so forth. He is also interested in seeing The Times of Harvery Milk documentary now, which I saw years ago on IFC.
All in all, it was one of the best dramatic features we saw this year. Meanwhile Rambo and Doomsday were on par for best action flicks we saw earlier this year. In fact, Doomsday was the last movie we saw in theaters until Milk. That's how bad the selection of films has been this year, with nothing really standing out and making us want to go to the theater.
14th. The theater was pretty full which surprised me for a mid afternoon Sunday showing. Anyway, we both thought the film was extremely good and were happy to have seen it over something else. Not much else was out that I was interested in seeing. Originally I wasn't to interested in the film since Van Sant made it and I'm not that impressed with his work. But the trailer piqued my interest, and so I thought I'd give it a chance.
As my dad said afterwards, it's sad how little has changed in terms of the excuses people use to rally against homosexuality and so forth. He is also interested in seeing The Times of Harvery Milk documentary now, which I saw years ago on IFC.
All in all, it was one of the best dramatic features we saw this year. Meanwhile Rambo and Doomsday were on par for best action flicks we saw earlier this year. In fact, Doomsday was the last movie we saw in theaters until Milk. That's how bad the selection of films has been this year, with nothing really standing out and making us want to go to the theater.
---Just continuing with Wendersfan's coincidental same showing motif---
Last edited by Bobby Shalom; 12-22-08 at 04:42 PM.
#75
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Nope, I didn't see Wall-e yet and just saw TDK on dvd last week. But I was in no hurry to see either. TDK was pretty good though, but i'm still not buying into the hype about how 'great' it is. It was just pretty entertaining ,but not something I'd buy and watch again most likely.



