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Massawyrm Has Chosen To Praise CHARLIE WILSON'S WAR, And Here's Why...
Hola all. Massawyrm here.
Is Charlie Wilson's War the very best movie of the year? No. Is Charlie Wilson's War the absolute funniest comedy of the year? No. Is Charlie Wilson's War the very best comedy of the year? Yes. It is. Take one part modern social relevance. Sprinkle in one of the best casts in the business. And just to cap it off, chase that down with a script by master scribe Aaron Sorkin. What that leaves you with is one hell of a powerhouse film based on the supposedly true story of how one of the most corrupt men in Washington helped bring down the iron curtain once and for all. Without anyone really realizing what he was doing.
First of all, Sorkin's adaptation is the tits. It is arguably the best thing he's ever written. Easily on par with his previous films and definitely up there with the very best of his West Wing work (including the episodes Twenty Five, The Two Cathedrals and 20 Hours in America) here Sorkin gets a pair of truly great characters to work with and really gets to cut loose. Rather than his normal, almost Capraesque good guys, we're treated to a delightfully corrupt, drunken womanizer, and a work obsessed complete raging asshole – both of whom still skirt the shores of being Capraesque, but do so while diving headlong into vice. It's an edgier Sorkin, the kind of characters that you just shouldn't like. At all. But just try to take your eyes off them. Try not to fall in love with them. Try to see them as anything but one of the best comedy teamups in years.
Hanks and Hoffman make an incredible dynamic duo – Hanks getting to play it for laughs with all the charisma you'd expect from him and Hoffman stealing the movie right out from under him every chance he gets. Never let it be said that Hanks is under-performing here. It's just that Phillip Seymour Hoffman is so fucking good, so undeniably badass, that he practically walks out and accepts the Best Supporting Actor Oscar several months early. This is the role some men wait their entire lives for. And it is the role that he will most likely be remembered for. Everything he does well finds itself in this character and presents the perfect storm of a performance. I can't think of a single supporting role this year that even comes close to this one. Hoffman overshadows them all this year.
Director Mike Nichols is equal to the task of the wonderful script and perfect casting and turns in a tightly paced, perfectly executed comedy that manages both to educate you on just how we ended up where we are in this day and age politically, while you're busy laughing your ass off. Now I've seen this referred to other places as a drama. Do not be fooled. A drama doesn't make you laugh this hard, this long and this intentionally. The dialog here is razor sharp – it's classic Sorkin set free with expletives and adult situations. The circumstances master politico Charlie Wilson finds himself in (or surrounds himself with) are rife with comedic possibility. And while there is plenty of heavy social commentary to be had, the film takes its time to get there – first softening you up with a stream of belly laughs, then sneaking in a real whopper of message.
It's rare that a film manages to be this poignant and funny at the same time. There's a lot of history to get through – it is after all about a single Congressman who finds himself in the odd position of helping fund Afghanistan's war with Russia, without it looking like we're funding a war against Russia – but it never lays it on thick or gets dull. Reminiscent of Good Morning, Vietnam, this film manages to make light of a very complicated situation, and at the end of the day, educates you in a way you didn't expect.
This film is about as well crafted as they come. And of all the TOP 10 films I've seen this year, this will no doubt be the one I rewatch the most. Charlie Wilson's War comes with the highest of possible recommendations. This isn't just the best thing I saw at BNAT, this is one of the best things I've seen all year.
Until next time friends, Sorkin if ya got ‘em.
Massawyrm
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yessssssss
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It's as funny as "Good Morning Vietnam"?? That movie sucked. Who wants to see this?? The word 'war' in the title will kill it.
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who thinks the best thing Sorkin ever did was Sport's NightI want to see this movie, the more I hear aobut it the more I really want to see it
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Is Hanks fat again for this one? And when is that guys Liver and Kidneys gonna shut down from everything he does to his body?
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Almost 100% of the time, right? Prove me wrong.
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Her clip is all over the web. But why don't I care anymore? On the other hand, Jennifer Love Hewitt...
I seriously doubt that "War" (in the title) will handicap the film's boxoffice. Hanks' track record is almost unblemished (though THE TERMINAL faded really fast). He has longevity because the public perceives him as an honest everyman...unlike Tom Cruise who (temporarily) allies himself with a hotty everytime a tabloid drags him out of the closet. His maggiage is phonier than the worst CGI. Hey, where am I going with this? -
The book was great.. funny, insightful... it was written by a 60 minutes producer, who if I recollect, did a profile on Charlie Wilson.
The book was factually true however.
I have been looking forward to this adaptation for a while, and everything I've read so far has me very hopeful.
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My bad. Kindly substitute "marriage" (to a clueless Katie Holmes).
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Jimmy Dugan, A League of Their Own.
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Saw this at BNAT and it was my film of the event.
I couldn't believe afterwards the apparent "It's good but 'meh'" attitude that many people had.
The lesson here - Aaron Sorkin can write about politics and make it funny. Very funny. He just can't write comedy. -
good review from a fellow Sorkin fan, thanks massa.
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I've seen this and i agree with everything Massa says, except Hoffman owning the supporting actor award. Hoffman is brilliant in this and it is probably his best performance of the year (which is saying something since we've seen Savages and Before The Devil...) but is it as indeliably great a performance as Javier Bardem in No Country For Old Men? No way. Also not the film Hoffman will be remembered most for. Like it or not that will always be Capote, and not because of the Oscar win but because it's such a memorable performance. Don't get me wrong he steals Charlie Wilson's War - no mean feat since he shares almost every one of his scenes with Hanks on the best form he's seen since Catch Me If You Can - but can't see him dominating the Oscars
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cant wait for it personaly. especially seeing you are making liberal out to be a bad word. seeing that talkback is such a nice form of liberalis...
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For me, there are SO many reasons to see this. I absolutely loved The West Wing. Pairing the witty banter Sorkin creates, with the talent of Hanks and Hoffman in a film, which enables Sorkin to push the boundaries further than on TV… WOW am I looking forward to this! Thanks now I feel even more vindicated in my excitement!
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Sorry Massawyrm, but as much as i love Philip Seymour Hoffman in both the Savages and Charlie Wilson's War this year, the hands down best performance in a supporting role was Javier Bardem in No Country For Old Men. Scariest guy I've seen on screen in a while...
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Someone prove me wrong yet?
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Not to start an ass kiss rodeo, but the rest of the AICN'ers should take a note from your review style. Cheers.
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is a fuckin stupid thing to write. In the business of being a cast? The best cast in the film business? But that line says something about Massawyrm's writing. I can't shake the feeling that he's bluffing when I read his reviews. This one comes across as an empty love letter to a film that seems to have simply fed his ego. Too much hyperbole squeezed in between too many cliches. I just can't take it seriously. Sorry Massa.
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I say over $80 million. I don't know how much over. But I'm betting this will do very well--the trailer makes the movie very appealing. And I don't think Massawyrm is going to be the last critic to gush all over Charlie Wilson's War.
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Go spooge all over an 8x10 glossy of Michael Medved, you cretins.
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TOO SOOOOOON!
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Dec 13, 2007 12:06:10 PM CST
I'd planned to see it anyway but this review's got me stoked now
by tinfang
Nice review Massa. Huh? Julia "le Stick" in a bikini? Not looking forward to that unless they use a nice body double. Let's see, a movie that spells out how the US backed the Afghan resistance (and partially created same) to a Kommie occupation thereby greatly contributing to the downfall of the USSR. Oh yeah, that's real liberal propaganda alright. Geez, it looks like some of you folks just can't get over looking at the world through your red/blue tinted shades. Can't we just be Americans first and party sheep second for a change?
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I highly fucking doubt it. I'm excited to see this movie, but Two Cathedrals is just a powerhouse of writing and acting, and the best work Martin Sheen will ever do.
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Dec 13, 2007 12:28:04 PM CST
SpyGuy has chosen to praise Kristin Bell as Slave Girl Leia...
by spyguy
...and here's why...
http://pwbeat.publishersweekly.com/blog/wp-content/2007/12/kristen-bell-gold-bikini-leia-02.jpg
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Damn you, Hillary Clinton!
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prove me wrong.
Also, WHY DO CONSERVATIVES ALWAYS HAVE TO TYPE IN CAPS? DID YOU MISS YOUR ANGER MANAGEMENT CLASS TODAY? -
for clarifying the scenario to the clueless. This one will piss-off Putin who will either ban the film or assign a Soviet Siskel/Ebert duo to pan it ("...about as funny as Rasputin's poisonous death. Coming up next, a 1960 classic that was made in Moscow: MY MOTHER THE TRACTOR!").
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The guy's got it all. Julia Roberts, on the other hand, is a raging goof. Brutal in every way.
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Just a classic conservative, that can cop to it when we (as a country) have made mistakes.
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Silly Talkbacks, not letting me edit my post header...
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Shame its got Julia "im a proper actor and not all still riding on Pretty Woman" Roberts in it though.
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Come on massawyrm!
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You knew it was coming. Go ahead bitches bash me.....you reap what you sow lol.
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Maybe HE'S the reason Julia Roberts still gets work?
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Or is the internet itself liberal? Or is it being controlled? Or is it not? ZZZzzzzz
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...how surprising. And in other shocking news, the sun is going to come up tomorrow morning! Seriously, can you imagine one day a movie being made (a liberal comedy in which conservatives are being bashed) by the team of Judd Apatow and J.J. Abrams. As a website AICN would implode on itself! We'd never hear the end of reviews about how "great" the movie is. Oh and thegreatwhatzit, great post. That one made me chuckle as I imagined a Soviet Siskel & Ebert discussing this Tom Hanks movie.
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I hope Hanks hasn't wrecked both-
I really liked both books. -
When this thing tanks, I'm gonna laaaaaaaaaaaaaaaugh!
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...just finished book on tuesday. and i'll be checking this flic out on boxing day, thanks for your review!
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Al Gore invented it, right?
For some reason, the tom hanks movie i most enjoy and quote most often is Dragnet. I still have happy dreams of the Virgin Connie Swale. -
Not the FUNNIEST comedy of the year but the BEST comedy of the year??!? What the hell does that mean? This sounds to me like another suck ass, shill review. I saw CW'sW and it was OK. JUST OK. Nothing special about it. High on clever, low on humor.
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implies that this Bill Clinton-esque womanizer / noble politician is actually responsible for the fall of Communism (much grander scale than just detailing the Soviet / Afghanistan issue). Since Reagan is usually credited with the fall of Communism, this will obviously have many political conservatives in an uproar.
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Its The Money Pit for me...."I'd help you with that, but somebody stepted on my fingers."
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I saw it, it's 90 minutes of pseudo-funny Sorkin dialogue that only over-50s would think is "hip." Hoffman is worth watching, that's about it.
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Can anyone name a recent piece of filmed entertainment that was of a) any artistic and social quality and b) written or directed by an avowed political conservative?
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Thanks, folks. I'm here all week. Try the veal.
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a fun answer: Passion of the Christ? (Well, not fun for Caviezel or the Hollywood libs).
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And Hoffman fucking RULED. End of story.
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They have camps for them in Hollywood, and they have to wear an embroidered elephant on their clothes so Hollywood types and recognize them immediately and make sure they don't get work.
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But not actually an avowed political conservative, and has had nastier things to say about Bush than he had to say about the Jews. So, maybe not Passion of the Christ.
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Because they all suck and even liberals don't want to see them. Not because they are liberal propaganda, per se, but just because they look boring and get bad word of mouth, except for slavishly devoted critics, praise from which makes many in the movie going public suspicious (at least, it does me). But Charlie Wilson's War looks like a good movie. Might not be, but it looks good, and it has Hanks, which generally is a good sign. Even The Terminal was watchable . . . and it grossed $219,417,255 worldwide! Double international grosses vs. domestic. Davinci Code grossed $760 million worldwide, and was panned by critics . . . and, again, double international grosses vs. domestic.The conclusions? Few stars can propel a movie like Hank, especially internationally, although Charlie Wilson's War might not perform like The Terminal, it's still going to beat all the "anti-war" films that it's getting lumped together with, combined. I think this movie is going to make money, and, for full disclosure, I am a rock-ribbed conservative.
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Despite Tom Hanks, but I'm betting Charlie Wilson's War easily bests it. Even though I enjoyed the Ladykillers. But I also loved The Hudsucker Proxy, so I'm just not in step with the mainstream of the movie going public.
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Done and done. On further reflection, this is going to clear $100 million.
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O yes, I'm sure ras-Putin will have a red cow over this. "Of course we plan to have Amerika help Muhajadin so that in future they can use Afghanistan to launch attack on them. All part of Master Plan." Charlie Wilson was actually working for the Kommies and helped Putin come up with The Master Plan since, y'know, ALL liberals (see: anyone even slightly to the left of center) are avowed comm-a-nist stooges! Just ask Annie Coulter, he'll set you straight. O the hoot!
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This film will fail.
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Man, that ep of Family Guy where she assures the post-Katrina world that at least she's okay was spot on. I just read her Vanity Fair article and can't help but hate her.
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This isn't an anti-military movie at all. If anything, it is pro-intervention.
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arent u forgeting Javier Bardem in No Country For Old Men when talking about Hoffman winning best supporting actor. Unless Bardem is up for best actor he's got best supporting all locked up.
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Dec 13, 2007 8:29:55 PM CST
Yep, No Country For Old Men will win Best picture at the Oscars!
by orionsangels
That's it... and look upon this moment. Savor it! Rejoice with great gladness! Great gladness! Remember it always, for you are joined by it. You are One, under the stars. Remember it well, then... this night, this great victory. So that in the years ahead, you can say, 'I was there that night in talkback, When Orionsangels said, No Country For Old Men would win Best picture at the Oscars. For it is the doom of men that they forget.
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This movie will probably do pretty good. I'm a pretty conservative guy, but the real deal is that Redacted, Rendition, Lions for Lamb and In The Valley of Elah flopped because (a) they sucked, and what marketing there was for them made them look like they sucked, so why do I want to go see something that sucks? And (b) if they didn't suck, the marketing still sucked. What came out for In the Valley of Elah that made that look like a good movie? Why do I want to see Live Free and Die Hard after seeing the DVD marketing, when the movie marketing didn't do it for me?A lot of the anti-military stuff sucks, in my opinion, because it seems like the kernel of the projects is "war is bad, and I really hate war, so I'm going to make a movie about how bad it is", and, right or wrong, vomiting up your personal political bloviations on the movie screen isn't likely to make an interesting film that people want to spend money on. Unless that movie was Fahrenheit 9/11. But, though I didn't see it in the theater, looked more interesting to me than Lions for Lambs.
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I can't wait to see this film. The script is just about perfect.
The dialogue is sharp and so biting. -
Everywhere I look on this site I see stuff about supporting killing kittens. I can't even read a review without the issue not coming up. What a liberal piece of shit this site is. If I want to crush a kitten under my boot heel...fuck you kitten hugger...I am going to do it. If I want to shoot a garbage bag full of newborn kittens...I will fuu(GUNSHOT) do it!!! Liberal pansies!
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the Taliban!!! Maybe next a movie about the wacky fun loving kids behind Iran/Contra?
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This is a joke, right? Did you see a little film called "Capote" by any chance?
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