Black Swan (Aronofsky, 2010): Natalie Portman
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Re: Black Swan (Aronofsky, 2010): Natalie Portman in supernatural thriller
Got to see this last night, and absolutely loved it. Definitely my new favorite film of the year. I've seen it posted a lot here about Portman being a bad actress. I implore those people to see this film, because she is an emotional powerhouse going from polar extremes of fragile innocence to manic insanity and she is absolutely riveting. Its one of those career defining perfectly cast and performed roles It’s a movie full of exquisite casting, nobody but Vincent Cassell (who I’ve mentioned many times is my favorite actor) could have brought the gravitas and charm to that role and Hershey is phenomenal.
Sure I could nitpick, Aronofsky is never subtle and is redundant in his strict adherence to the motifs of the story. He films the entire movie obsessed with the close-up (even in the ballet sequences) which I normally can't stand but works with the feeling of gradual insanity. And I although I admit a bias as I've always been deeply in love with Portman, I could see how someone might not "feel" for the character as there is never really any warmth to her and her "passion" for dance may be perceived more as an "obsession". However, the film as a whole from cast to the theatrics of the story all work for me and its one of the few films this year that I feel actually lives up to the critical hype.
Sure I could nitpick, Aronofsky is never subtle and is redundant in his strict adherence to the motifs of the story. He films the entire movie obsessed with the close-up (even in the ballet sequences) which I normally can't stand but works with the feeling of gradual insanity. And I although I admit a bias as I've always been deeply in love with Portman, I could see how someone might not "feel" for the character as there is never really any warmth to her and her "passion" for dance may be perceived more as an "obsession". However, the film as a whole from cast to the theatrics of the story all work for me and its one of the few films this year that I feel actually lives up to the critical hype.
#354
Re: Black Swan (Aronofsky, 2010): Natalie Portman in supernatural thriller
I wanted to see this this week but was alarmed to find it was not playing in any theaters. It's opening here tonight but now I can't go because of other stuff. Maybe next weekend.
#357
Re: Black Swan (Aronofsky, 2010): Natalie Portman in supernatural thriller
How much "horror" is it really? Is it gory in anyway? We saw 127 Hours together and she had trouble stomaching parts of the film.
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Re: Black Swan (Aronofsky, 2010): Natalie Portman in supernatural thriller
There was nothing that bothered us, but nothing on screen bothers me. The audience did gasp in some scenes though, so there probably are some squimish moments but they happen fast, the camera never lingers. There is a lot of creaky bone-sounds (think how ballerinas put all their weight on their tippy toes) & and some very brief slight spoiler . . .
I would say overall though it is a decent-into-madness type film so if your girlfriend doesn't like "dark" movies, she probably won't like this.
Spoiler:
I would say overall though it is a decent-into-madness type film so if your girlfriend doesn't like "dark" movies, she probably won't like this.
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Re: Black Swan (Aronofsky, 2010): Natalie Portman in supernatural thriller
I don't know what is wrong with me today, but first I disliked Tron and then I saw Black Swan. Talk about much ado about nothing... ok, not nothing. Aronofsky uses the camera well, the music (while heavy handed at times) is effective and I did think Portman was brilliant... but the movie overall was something akin to Requiem for a Dream, where while I can appreciate the art and skill, it just annoyed the hell out of me, so it wasn't a pleasant experience or a movie I have any desire to revisit ever again. I liked the very end but found some of the surreal parts really didn't work as well as they should have. I would definitely rate this below The Wrestler and The Fountain.
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Re: Black Swan (Aronofsky, 2010): Natalie Portman in supernatural thriller
I saw this again, and the 3rd act is still amazingly crafted. Natalie Portman acts her face off in this film.
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Re: Black Swan (Aronofsky, 2010): Natalie Portman in supernatural thriller
Saw it tonight and it blew me away. Simply put it surpassed my very high expectations and all of my anticipation was worth the wait. Portman was breath taking, Aronofsky is still batting a thousand in my book and who knew Kunis could act? Everything about this film was beautifully crafted.
All I want to do is watch it again and again right now
All I want to do is watch it again and again right now
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Re: Black Swan (Aronofsky, 2010): Natalie Portman in supernatural thriller
Saw it tonight and it blew me away. Simply put it surpassed my very high expectations and all of my anticipation was worth the wait. Portman was breath taking, Aronofsky is still batting a thousand in my book and who knew Kunis could act? Everything about this film was beautifully crafted.
All I want to do is watch it again and again right now
All I want to do is watch it again and again right now
As far as Mila Kunis goes, sometimes people just need to get a chance to show what they've got and shine.
I enjoyed her in Forgetting Sarah Marshall, and I'm glad she did well in this film.
#366
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Re: Black Swan (Aronofsky, 2010): Natalie Portman in supernatural thriller
I agree, I liked in FSM as well but I'll admit I didn't see her excelling in a role in a film like this.
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Re: Black Swan (Aronofsky, 2010): Natalie Portman in supernatural thriller
I'd give a lot of credit to Aronofsky. He could get an Oscar winning performance out of Jessica Alba. He's just that good. Hell, he made Marlon Wayans look good.
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Re: Black Swan (Aronofsky, 2010): Natalie Portman in supernatural thriller
This is surprising because I saw this last night with the wife and there was nothing but females in the theater I was in.
I did enjoy this movie, I think Portman has the Best Actress Oscar locked up and it will be deserved. I also liked Cassel and Hershey. The score was awesome used very well as it kept building up to climatic scenes
I did enjoy this movie, I think Portman has the Best Actress Oscar locked up and it will be deserved. I also liked Cassel and Hershey. The score was awesome used very well as it kept building up to climatic scenes
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Re: Black Swan (Aronofsky, 2010): Natalie Portman in supernatural thriller
Great film! Can we nominate Mila eating out Natalie as scene of the year?
Seriously though, a worthy contender for awards.
Seriously though, a worthy contender for awards.
#372
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Re: Black Swan (Aronofsky, 2010): Natalie Portman in supernatural thriller
Saw it. Really well made movie with a powerhouse performance by Portman. More later as I am on a
mobile device. Thumbs up though .
mobile device. Thumbs up though .
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Re: Black Swan (Aronofsky, 2010): Natalie Portman in supernatural thriller
this movie was awful,
yet another movie like the social network parading as a masterpiece, when it is actually shallow and trivial
yet another movie like the social network parading as a masterpiece, when it is actually shallow and trivial
#375
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Re: Black Swan (Aronofsky, 2010): Natalie Portman in supernatural thriller
Some people hate good movies and enjoy boring garbage like Predators, so be it.