Most Anticipated Next Film

[Ennis Del Mark]

Bernie really is gay?

[garyd]

Bernie really is gay?

Maybe.  Here is the story upon which the film is based.
It is classic Texas.  I could relate at least three other similar stories.

http://www.texasmonthly.com/1998-01-01/feature4.php

[Ennis Del Mark]

Ohmigosh...this is too weird.  Truth IS stranger than fiction.

Wonder how the movie is.  I'm fearing the worst.

[garyd]

Ohmigosh...this is too weird.  Truth IS stranger than fiction.

Wonder how the movie is.  I'm fearing the worst.

It is difficult to say how people will react.  it has received mixed reviews but good reviews from critics I respect.
I think it is a very good film.  Mrs. D and I both really liked it but we both wonder how much of our positive reaction is due to our
recognition of similar stories.
At the very least, it is worth seeing for Black's performance.  He is really quite good. 
(but again, we are suckers for films that contain what we consider to be extraordinary performances).

[Ennis Del Mark]

It hasn't made it to my area yet and when it does I'll have to drive 45 miles if I want to see it (it won't come to my town). I like Black on occasion and MacLaine most of the time; if a friend wants to see it I'll probably go.

I just e-mailed a friend in Texas if she remembers the story.

Who are some critics you like?  See if we have any in common!

Mark

[garyd]

It hasn't made it to my area yet and when it does I'll have to drive 45 miles if I want to see it (it won't come to my town). I like Black on occasion and MacLaine most of the time; if a friend wants to see it I'll probably go.

I just e-mailed a friend in Texas if she remembers the story.

Who are some critics you like?  See if we have any in common!

Mark

i appreciate the work of A.O. Scott, Mick LaSalle, and Roger Ebert, (I know, I know, but I like his work. )
Of course, I often do not agree with them but I respect their knowledge of film.

I will tell you something though about "Bernie".  There is another level to this story that the film does not really address.
There are men like Bernie living in small towns, i should think, all over the country, not just Texas.
They are gay but they are never bullied or the target of homophobic violence and hate.
They are an accepted and included in the community and I think the reason is that they are perceived as almost "asexual" and, therefore,
are not considered threatening by the homophobic element.
This is, of course, tragic, because they have, in order to "get along", repressed their sexuality .
AND, in reality, as is the case with the real Bernie, several locals did engage in sex with Bernie and others.
The film does not really explore this reality and I suppose it could be viewed as a damaging cheap shot against the marginalized in our society.
I just don't know. 
The fact is, it is a true story and gives a glimpse of how people learn to survive. (not just Bernie but the Maclaine character as well.)

[Ennis Del Mark]

I can't wait to see MANSOME, Morgan Spurlock's latest documentary, this time about I think, the "now" man and the lengths he will go these days to look young and attractive.  It opens Friday in two theaters in Los Angeles (both in West Hollywood, natch!).  I liked most of Spurlock's films, but he totally lost me on his (last?) one about brand names and companies buying ad space.  I am eager to see this one, and the insights on gay men, metrosexsuals, etc. and the drive to stay youthful-looking.

Anyone who sees this, I'm eager for your review!  It won't come to my bailiwick for at least a month.

[Ennis Del Mark]

i appreciate the work of A.O. Scott, Mick LaSalle, and Roger Ebert, (I know, I know, but I like his work. )
Of course, I often do not agree with them but I respect their knowledge of film.

I will tell you something though about "Bernie".  There is another level to this story that the film does not really address.
There are men like Bernie living in small towns, i should think, all over the country, not just Texas.
They are gay but they are never bullied or the target of homophobic violence and hate.
They are an accepted and included in the community and I think the reason is that they are perceived as almost "asexual" and, therefore,
are not considered threatening by the homophobic element.
This is, of course, tragic, because they have, in order to "get along", repressed their sexuality .
AND, in reality, as is the case with the real Bernie, several locals did engage in sex with Bernie and others.
The film does not really explore this reality and I suppose it could be viewed as a damaging cheap shot against the marginalized in our society.
I just don't know.  
The fact is, it is a true story and gives a glimpse of how people learn to survive. (not just Bernie but the Maclaine character as well.)

Unfortunately I fall into this asexual-so-safe category. One way to get by in my small town.  Dear God, don't tell me I'll relate to Bernie.

As for critics, I like the no-longer-writing Pauline Kael, Danny Peary, and Stephen Schiff.  Owen Gleiberman, John DiLeo, Roger Ebert, David Denby, Kenneth Turan, and Peter Travers are others whom I like.  And John Simon, except when he takes potshots at physical appearances.

[garyd]

Unfortunately I fall into this asexual-so-safe category. One way to get by in my small town.  Dear God, don't tell me I'll relate to Bernie.

HAA!.  Hey we ALL do what we gotta do.

As for critics, I like the no-longer-writing Pauline Kael, Danny Peary, and Stephen Schiff.  Owen Gleiberman, John DiLeo, Roger Ebert, David Denby, Kenneth Turan, and Peter Travers are others whom I like.  And John Simon, except when he takes potshots at physical appearances.

I enjoyed reading Pauline Kael as well though, dear lord, sometimes her "reviews'" were longer than the film. 
I also usually enjoy John Simon though, like you, I really don't get the physical appearance stuff.  Sometimes it makes sense, other times it just seems mean spirited.

[oilgun]

TEASER FOR PAUL THOMAS ANDERSON'S HIGHLY ANTICIPATED THE MASTER ARRIVES

It's been 5 long years since P.T. Anderson's last triumph, with the expansive and challenging There Will Be Blood. Now, on Oct. 12 the Weinstein Company will release Anderson's latest film, The Master.

A period piece set in the 1950's, and Starring Joaquin Phoenix as a troubled sailor who falls in with a burgeoning religious leader, played by P.T. Anderson stock player Phillip Seymour Hoffman, The Master is reported to be about on the rise of Scientology-like "religion", with Hoffman playing an intellectually minded, charismatic leader obviously based on Scientology founder L. Ron Hubbard.

This teaser clip is all Joaquin though, as he is questioned by a superior officer, about a dalliance he has no memory of. Tense, intimate, and uncomfortable, this is pure P.T. Anderson. Let Oct. 12 give you movie going readers a respite from flying men and metallic monsters, I think it's time for the grown-ups to have the pool to themselves for a bit. The Master looks more accessible than There Will be Blood, and personally I count Boogie Nights and Magnolia among the greats of American film, so for all intents and purposes The Master looks like a sure bet. I won't even try to contain my excitement...if this movie isn't amazing I will pull a Herzog and eat my shoe.

Now, click the link below and watch Joaquin own it!

http://twitchfilm.com/news/2012/05/teaser-for-paul-thomas-andersons-highly-anticipated-the-master-arrives.php

Joaquin never looked so sexy!  He's like an American Michael Fassbender...

[doodler]

The W  brothers  turned me off so completely with Blood, I can't even say their name, or type it either. Which is not a problem in this case as I don't care for PSH or River's brother either.

[oilgun]

The W  brothers  turned me off so completely with Blood, I can't even say their name, or type it either. Which is not a problem in this case as I don't care for PSH or River's brother either.

Well Doodler, I've known for a while that we could never be movie buddies, lol!  I think the only film I posted about that you showed any interest in was HOBO WITH A SHOTGUN. 

[doodler]

It wasn't YOU who was looking forward to the penguin one? 

[oilgun]

It wasn't YOU who was looking forward to the penguin one? 

I don't think so, the Penguin one doesn't ring a bell.

[Jeff Wrangler]

As for critics, I like the no-longer-writing Pauline Kael, Danny Peary, and Stephen Schiff.  Owen Gleiberman, John DiLeo, Roger Ebert, David Denby, Kenneth Turan, and Peter Travers are others whom I like.  And John Simon, except when he takes potshots at physical appearances.

I'm sorry, but you do know she's dead?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pauline_Kael

But I always read her before anything else in The New Yorker. Whatever else might be said about her, she was never dull.