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Is Ridley Scott's BODY OF LIES Any Good?

Published at:  Oct 06, 2008 12:23:30 PM CDT

Beaks here...



Though Todd McCarthy slammed the hell out of it in Variety, I've heard nothing but good-to-great on BODY OF LIES - which is evidently opening this Friday. Huh. I hate that I missed out on another opportunity to chat with Ridley Scott (one of the best interviews out there w/r/t lucidly explaining the technical side of filmmaking), but I guess there weren't no room for ol' AICN at the inn this time around.

'Tis a shame. I've been very excited for Scott's globetrotting espionage thriller, which reunites him with KINGDOM OF HEAVEN screenwriter William Monahan (see the Director's Cut please). It looks like I'll be checking it out tomorrow, so I imagine I'll have a review up for y'all by Friday. In the meantime, here's Zeegloo with some thoughts...

Hey AICN. I'm a long time reader, but never really had the chance to contribute at all. However, last night I saw a free sneak for Ridley Scott's "Body of Lies" at my university and thought I'd give my thoughts on the film in a relatively spoiler-free fashion.

If you're like me, you watched the preview for this thinking "OK, it looks pretty cool, but I have NO IDEA what's going on." After rewatching the trailer now that I've seen the movie, I can tell you that any sort of promotional piece on this movie can't even cover a fraction of the plot of this film. Again, without giving away this complicated plot, deception is everywhere and I think the tagline was pretty accurate: TRUST NO ONE. Every ten minutes or so you have a title card explaining yet another location within the Eastern U.S. or the Middle East... make no mistake, it's a BIG movie. It is one intricate and finely crafted thriller courtesy of "Departed" screenwriter William Monohan, and in hands other than his or Scott's, I'm convinced it would have failed miserably.

I advise anyone who wants to see this movie to go in as spoiler free as they can. I was glued to the screen for the whole movie, and I think knowing close to nothing about this film made it all the more exciting. Although I'm sure some will complain about some use of "Shaky cam"/Paul Greengrass style camerawork (it isn't much, but there's a bit), the action is tightly shot and had the audience pretty reactive, not to mention there is some torture scenes that still make me cringe just thinking about them.

In my opinion, this is really DiCaprio's movie. He owns every second of this film. Every time he's on screen he brings an intensity to the movie that few actors could. Though I'm pretty sure everyone's past stereotyping him for his days as the object of teen girls' obsession, this film further SHATTERS any misconceptions that he's not to be taken seriously. This man is a badass. Now Crowe... he didn't really do anything for me. In my honest opinion I'm not sure if he really brings much to the movie. Whereas the trailer makes this movie look like some sort of cat-and-mouse thriller with Crowe chasing DiCaprio, really all Crowe does is play a detestable schlub who does his fair share of lying and deceiving. I feel kinda bad that he put on so much weight for the role because honestly there seemed to be little inspiration behind his performance. It's really unfortunate, but didn't take away from my enjoyment of the film.

In the end, as an action thriller, "Body of Lies" holds its own with the Bourne series that has basically reinvented the genre. It's exemplary of Monohan's gift with creating a HUGELY entertaining story with unpredictable twists, Scott's ability to make a solid and engaging film (only a year after "American Gangster"!), and DiCaprio's phenomenal acting chops. While I'm not sure it will be as much of a smash as last year's "Gangster" was, I can see word of mouth spreading about this one. I would most definitely pay to see this film again. This may not be remembered come Oscar season, but I'm expecting everyone to be quite surprised with "Body of Lies". Overall I'd score it about an 8.5/10, and will be sure to tell more about this great thriller.

If you use this, call me Zeegloo.



    + Expand All

    Readers Talkback

  • ...which is to say not at all.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 12:31:12 PM CDT

    Bourne series?

    by the beef

    I didn't get that vibe at all from the trailers. I'm pretty set to see anything Scott makes, but a Bourne movie directed by Ridley Scott sounds pretty awesome. I want some awe.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 12:32:11 PM CDT

    The Bourne series did not reinvent the action genre...

    by pdorwick

    ...it simply pushed it farther into Michael Bay territory. The first one was excellent but if there is a shot in the last two that last more than 40 frames I'd be highly surprised.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 12:35:35 PM CDT

    Seriously.....what the fuck is up with Bourne mentions?

    by dannyglovers_dickblood

    Every fucking description of an action movie in the last 3 years mentions Bourne. FUCK!! Be original and DON'T mention Bourne....see how that plays out. Jesus fucking Christ. I can see it now when the Bond reviews start coming in, "......it is great at keeping up with the Bourne series....."
    Again. FUUUUUUUUUCK!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 12:38:38 PM CDT

    Scott has been ahead of the curve with action.

    by eggart

    See Gladiator. Some nutty stuff there, but it works.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 12:38:52 PM CDT

    I hope this isn't like Bourne

    by greenleaf1

    I'm looking for a smart political thriller from this, not some spy action movie. And Russell Crowe looks amazing in the previews so I'm still excited to see him.

    Love Ridley Scott, but didn't like American Gangster so I'm hoping this will be better.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 12:40:54 PM CDT

    American Gangster blew

    by bigtuna

    I've seen the film done a dozen times, and most of the time, much better.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 12:43:09 PM CDT

    What A Non Review

    by snakesonabicycle

    I'd call him a plant, but at least most plants are paid to see the movie... And if you saw that movie, and actually took your study time to "review" it, then you need to either stay in college for another decade, or leave right now, cause so far it hasn't done any good.

    Here's how to write a review. It's real simple. First watch the movie. Watch it with an open mind... acutally be in a mood to see a movie, but not so overly passioned-up you can't see it for what it is.
    Second, after wathing said movie write about what you liked, and didn't, and why. Show examples of where the filmmakers failed or succeeded. Write about how they accomplished either. That's one of Harry's good qualities as a reviewer. Mori and Quint too. And fucking shame on Beaks and Merrick for posting some of this shit. Just because it's a "review" of a movie doesn't mean it deserves to get on AICN. Have more standards when it comes to what you put up, let the bad illeterate, non reviews be put up in the talkbacks.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 12:45:21 PM CDT

    DiCaprio...

    by karl childers

    I think DiCaprio is a good enough actor, but he plays too many roles that are out of his league. He looks like a freshman out of college and they've got him playing tough guys!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 12:46:56 PM CDT

    Make that...

    by karl childers

    a freshman IN college! Damn no edits!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 12:49:18 PM CDT

    HURRY WITH YOUR REVIEW BEAKS

    by bringingsexyback

    I'm not spending any money on this until I get a reliable review. DiCaprio has thoroughly impressed me in his last few movies - Blood Diamond topping Departed, IMO - but American Gangster, while a good movie, was at best a Netflixer for me. So before I spend good money in the theater I'd like Beaks' opinion. I just hope the movie lives up to this particular review.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 12:53:20 PM CDT

    Leo

    by fartedinthefaceofhollywood

    not a BIG fan of his but he certainly improves movie after movie. i enjoyed him in Gangs of New York, The Departed, and Blood Diamond...and Body of Lies looks to further that trend of him doing more ballsy roles instead of that tripe that made him "heart throb"-famous instead of "talented"-famous, what a 180 he's done.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 12:53:52 PM CDT

    HEY YACK

    by bringingsexyback

    I hope this movie is as good as Bourne.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 12:54:24 PM CDT

    ....

    by fartedinthefaceofhollywood

    oh yeah...i forgot about "This Boys Life" (watching DeNiro whoop his ass in the kitchen...priceless and unforgettable) and "The Basketball Diaries"...two flicks about disturbed youths...but well done.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 12:58:43 PM CDT

    American Gangster

    by fartedinthefaceofhollywood

    thats a "bits and pieces" kinda flick...in the sense that i enjoyed parts of it...and rolled my eyes at other parts. it was too...i dont know..."by the numbers" for a gangster movie???...a bit cliche and predictable.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 1:02:28 PM CDT

    Mean Leo

    by machine gun joe viterbo

    Just because Leo grows some facial hair doesn't make him mean and intense. He can't carry a movie.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 1:09:04 PM CDT

    BEST THING ABOUT AMERICAN GANGSTER: JOSH BROLIN

    by bringingsexyback

    He is one scary mother-fucker.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 1:10:26 PM CDT

    LEO CARRIED BLOOD DIAMOND VERY WELL

    by bringingsexyback

    I'm not Zimbabwean but his accent sounded pretty good. And he came off convincingly as a diamond-smuggling merc.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 1:11:09 PM CDT

    DiCaprio + Crowe + Scott =...

    by unionjackass.webs.com

    ... hit. What would you expect from these three mega-talented individuals?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 1:12:20 PM CDT

    Ridley Scott every once in a while makes a movie...

    by ricarleite

    ... no one even knew he was doing.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 1:16:15 PM CDT

    They changed trailer styles

    by jeditemple

    Months ago, the previews made this out to be a light action flick with lots of backstabbing drama. Now they're pushing it as a hard-core action thriller. I think they at least got the tone right with the new trailers.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 1:20:00 PM CDT

    If DiCaprio can own your movie...

    by aquatarkusman

    ... you're up shit creek with a turd for a paddle.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 1:20:05 PM CDT

    Another good one from DiCaprio.

    by reckoner

    Yeah, with the power 3 involved in this, it just about can't miss. Really looking forward to seeing DiCaprio in this. I have really enjoyed his films the last few years. He doesn't sleep walk through his roles as some big names tend to do... He's been on a roll for a while now... And with the Ridley Scott visuals, this will have a great look.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 1:21:02 PM CDT

    BSB.....you're not Zimbabwean?!

    by dannyglovers_dickblood

    Oh fuck this. We're not friends anymore......you can lay your sod alone this weekend pal!! I'm not gonna show.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 1:22:52 PM CDT

    As much as I love Sir Ridley...

    by mr. nice gaius

    ...I feel like his recent work (much like Spielberg's) hasn't been up to par with his past. It's like he can't q

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 1:28:55 PM CDT

    As much as i love Sir Ridley...(Redux)

    by mr. nice gaius

    ...I feel like his recent work (much like Spielberg's) hasn't really been up to snuff. It's like he can't quite achieve boiling temperature or something. Now, I hope that BODY OF LIES turns out to be a smart, exciting thriller. But I've been getting another lukewarm BLACKHAWK DOWN feeling ever since the trailers & commercials hit. Here is to hoping that's not the case.(Thanks to this TB for reminding me to check out the KOH director's cut. I've been meaning to get that for awhile now.)

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 1:41:31 PM CDT

    no one gives a fuck about Blade Runner 2?!!

    by dannyglovers_dickblood

    I thought this was a pretty big fucking deal....
    "Scribe Travis Wright ("Eagle Eye") is working on a sequel to "Blade Runner" with the original film's producer Bud Yorkin reports Slash Film.

    Wright says he is developing a script and pre-visualisation sequences for a pitch to studio Warner Bros. Pictures."

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 1:52:17 PM CDT

    I do, Danny!!!

    by darth macchio

    Can't believe this isn't a shitfest TB on AICN? I mean wtf right? We go fucking ballistic for the mere mention of a sequel or remake for far more shittier and utterly non-legendary works, or even non-significant but nothing on a god damn sequel to arguably the best sci-fi movie of all time so far? Sheesh! Not a single mention? Nothing? The whiplash I got from not seeing this article has left me with one of those nausea headaches...the one where if you swallow twice in a row you gotta go berate the toilet from the bottom of your belly...not pleasant...not pleasant at all.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 2:01:35 PM CDT

    Here's the article...(Blade Runner sequel?!)

    by darth macchio

    http://tinyurl.com/52erk5

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 2:05:05 PM CDT

    Nothing is sacred....

    by darth macchio

    Well..ok...so apparently it's not 100% confirmed and holy shit but I'd love to be dead wrong but it would not surprise me at all if they made a sequel...I cant even think of some witty insult via a BR2 title or some shit...it's just god damn sad...and not sad funny like one of those pampered shaved poodle debutante dogs got hit by a cheese truck or something but sad heartbreaker sad as in a puppy left out in the rain begging to be let into an empty house...sad.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 2:09:37 PM CDT

    Nothing Scott has done...

    by j_difool

    ...since Blade Runner is any good.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 2:20:35 PM CDT

    Leo

    by skimn

    lets not forget Whats Eating Gilbert Grape? He took the possibly cliched role of mentally challenged brother, and made it his own.This has the same problem of dynamics that Gangster had. Take Crowe and team him with an actor to go toe-to-toe with, but then physically seperate them, so they share no scenes together. I think that was one of Gangsters weaknesses.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 2:21:41 PM CDT

    KINGDOM OF HEAVEN is Scott's second-best movie.

    by maxthesilent

    After ALIEN, that is. It's a masterpiece. Fuck Fox in the ass for cutting the hell out of it when it was released.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 2:21:50 PM CDT

    if we make no mention of said article Darth Macchio

    by just pillow talk

    that article does not exist. Hence no sequel exists. Life continues with only one Blade Runner. All is well.BOOOOOOOUUUUUUURRRRRNNNNNNNE!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 2:35:50 PM CDT

    Is that "scribe" Travis Wright

    by skimn

    or scribbler Travis Wright? Because Eagle Eye could've been written on the back of a napkin...

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 2:46:47 PM CDT

    SnakesonABicycle

    by zeegloo

    Forgive me :(

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 2:47:56 PM CDT

    The trailers...

    by thedarklinglord

    Make it look like some fragmented, convoluted, style-but-no-substance piece of shit. The sort of dreck you'd expect from Ridley's brother. So, with expectations that low, I might almost enjoy it.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 2:50:03 PM CDT

    Kingdom of Heaven(DC)

    by spawnofachilles

    Is one of my favorite movies. And like many others I thought it was weak in it's theatrical run, what a difference the director's cut makes. I put off watching it though because of the bad taste from the theatrical version. Don't be like me though, give it a chance, you will be surprised like I was. Even Orlando Bloom is good in it, no small feat.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 2:53:13 PM CDT

    SnakesOnABicycle... Not a Plant

    by zeegloo

    I saw the movie and enjoyed it very much. There's no need to insult my intelligence, but alas it's easy to be a prick behind a monitor and keyboard. I suppose I shouldn't be surprised.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 3:14:39 PM CDT

    my biggest issue.....THE WRITER OF EAGLE EYE?!!

    by dannyglovers_dickblood

    FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK YOU!!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 3:55:28 PM CDT

    I don't believe this review.....

    by thewaqman

    DiCaprio's performance is electrifying in here? Crowe's is uninspired? I heard the other away around. I heard that all DiCaprio does in this one is bust out his whiny Departed role again. While Crowe plays the asshole down to a tee.

    I'm fairly sure it will be Crowe>DiCaprio in this one.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 3:57:43 PM CDT

    Blade Runner 2!!?!??!!!

    by thewaqman

    It's not going to happen. They have to go through the people who own the property first. They can write as many scripts as they want but it won't happen. The Eagle Eye screenwriter is a fuckin retard. And it took Scott a few years to convince the property owners to make Blade Runner. So its obvious the sequel won't get made.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 3:59:01 PM CDT

    "Eagle Eye Co-Writers Working on Blade Runner 2"

    by skinjob69

    Sure, the geniuses behind the critically-panned piece of shit known as Eagle Eye are going to take on one of the modern classics of sci-fi now.
    Yeah, that makes sense.
    I'm all for a BR sequel, especially if Harrison Ford reprises Deckard (as a human, not a replicant as some folks seem to think he is). And with a director as talented as Sir Ridley.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 4:02:36 PM CDT

    Only DiCaprio...

    by unionjackass.webs.com

    ... has worked with Spielberg, Scott, Scorsese (4 times) and Cameron. Wow! What a feat.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 4:07:45 PM CDT

    skinjob

    by skimn

    I believe it was Sir Ridley himself that stated that Deckard is definately a duplicate. No questions asked.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 4:10:24 PM CDT

    union Jack

    by skimn

    Yea but remember Tom Cruise has worked with Coppola, Scott (both of them), Stone, Scorsese, Spielberg and PT Anderson..to name a few.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 4:17:59 PM CDT

    skimn-

    by skinjob69

    I know what Ridley said, but he didn't write the source material. That would be Phillip K. Dick, and in that story Deckard is a human. No questions asked.
    Ridley decided on his own Deckard was a rep, and he never communicated this to Harrison Ford (who has repeatedly disagreed with the whole Deckard=replicant discussion). He has stated that Ridley only spoke of this well after the release of the film.
    Apart from the PKD story, to make Deckard a replicant would completely blow his character's arc. He goes from seeing the reps as machines early in the film to appreciating their 'humanity' at the end. If he was a rep the whole time, that would tend to make the ending less impactful.
    And the whole unicorn thing- another Ridley creation.
    I love the guy- all of his films- but he got this issue wrong.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 4:20:38 PM CDT

    I will see it for Leo's ZZ Top Beard

    by filmfunk

    Ridley knows didley bout the fiddly, tiddly, widdly, piddly, Ridley

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 4:22:15 PM CDT

    Cool

    by charlie_allnut

    This sounds right up my alley... hope the shaky cam didn't get overused - I think that was really the weakness of the last two Bourne movies...and the reason why the first one is still my fav. Great movies tho don't get me wrong. Didn't like American Gangster much for some reason...I think because it was Denzel playing Denzel pretending to be a bad guy...I just didn't buy it - Training Day I bought but not AG.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 4:24:13 PM CDT

    The writer for DEPARTED wrote this?

    by nodiggity

    Good God. DEPARTED was horrible.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 4:36:52 PM CDT

    "there is some torture scenes"

    by bruce t shark

    Jesus H Christ!!! It's "there ARE some torture scenes". This from someone who's at university.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 5:07:00 PM CDT

    Damn You Michael Bay

    by mcmlxxvi

    Damn You Michael Bay

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 5:12:20 PM CDT

    skinjob

    by skimn

    I've never read Dick's original, and have only seen the various stages (from original theatrical to most recent Directors Cut) of the film. I guess I should have made clearer that if you wish that Ridley Scott helm a sequel, fat chance that that is, that Deckard would remain a replicate as Scott's intention.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 5:16:24 PM CDT

    Yeah, I think Variety pretty much sucks.

    by dr sauch

  • Oct 06, 2008 5:31:13 PM CDT

    KINGDOM OF HEAVEN...

    by broosethescharuk

    ...I agree with those who say it's a great film. I can't compare it to the theatrical cut, though, because I never saw it (after hearing about the butchering it received from Fox, I opted to wait over a year to see the full film). Sadly, I saw the theatrical cut of Gladiator and found it enormously overrated, but found myself really connecting with the "Extended Cut". Though talented, Scott is also a shrewd business man, and has no qualms about allowing his own work to be truncated to more manageable size for more theatrical showings per day. Ultimately, I think that makes him more of a studio suit (like Spielberg) than a genuine artist. It sucks, because he's also a powerful guy who could do a lot to change the way things are done in the movie biz.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 5:44:33 PM CDT

    The DC of Kingdom Of Heaven was brilliant

    by reflecto

    Ridley's finest movie in ages. He has been going way OTT and commercial since Gladiator, but KOH was excellent. Everything else from modern Ridley has been crap. ESPECIALLY American Gangster. "Poor criminals, look at the bad cops, only Russell understands!" And I hated Departed. But I'm hoping this is more of a KOH quality.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 5:55:33 PM CDT

    Zeegloo

    by snakesonabicycle

    I wasn't being a prick at all. Everything I said in my post was a fact. I learned nothing more about that movie than I could have skimming over it's trailer. If you didn't want to include spoilers then go post it on Joel Good Morning America's message board... or use a fucking spoiler warning. However I don't think you really have any spoilers to divuldge, as that "review" was just vague enough to get past someone like Beaks, but obviously written by someone who hasn't seen the film. (I'm being nice here, I'm HELPING you) If Leo's preformance was so great, give us examples why, If the story was that fantastic tell us a little. I mean who are you to us? Some schmoe who says he saw the thing at a screening? Give us reasons to believe you, instead of just going on your unproven opinion, or a hunch. -- Ever since I was a little boy I've been waiting on a review for Body Of Lies, and now you've just shit all over that dream with your fancy vague talk, and calling me a prick. Oh, and if you live in the Los Angeles area, and would like my opinion without the safety of the internet, feel free to ask, I'll give you my email and we can arrange a meeting. I hope you don't want to be a writer, or after that last piece I'd have way too much pity to be able to whale on your properly. :)

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 5:59:55 PM CDT

    I'm curious, was this in Bozeman?

    by degausser

    because I know it was playing at the Procrastinator.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 6:27:45 PM CDT

    Eagle Eye dipshit plot hole #18

    by juice willis

    The AI was so sophisticated that it could process the audio in a room via the waves in a cup of coffee, yet couldn't diffentiate the facial biometrics between a set of identical twins at close range?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 6:29:04 PM CDT

    er I meant "differentiate"

    by juice willis

    sorry for going off topic. resume.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 6:30:33 PM CDT

    SnakesOnABicycle

    by balcony fool

    There's something humorous about you misspelling the word "illiterate" as you bag on someone else.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 7:18:16 PM CDT

    I hear this is a politically tinged movie

    by snowdogs

    And DiCaprio is in it. Which is like saying Sean Penn is in it. Which means you know what kind of b.s. this movie will be feeding you.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 7:36:09 PM CDT

    Degausser

    by zeegloo

    Yes it was.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 8:30:04 PM CDT

    Scott's recent movies

    by methosb

    Have all been good but not great. They all feel like they kind of blend into each other and are following this Ridley Scott formula that is always a good movie but just never blows you away.

    I think Leo is good as well, but I think he is trying too hard for that Oscar and sometimes goes a little bit far with his performances. He always comes up against someone who blows everyone away whenever he gets nominated as well. He should just let it flow and the Oscar will come eventually.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 8:37:08 PM CDT

    SnakesOnABicycle

    by dr. anonymous

    First off, +1 to Balcony Fool. Oh, the irony.

    Secondly, nice try on your "I wasn't trying to be a prick and will use some half-assed sarcastic jibber jabber and cowardly threats to affirm my superior intelligence to the talkbackers and, hopefully, make it look like you were the one being the prick in the first place" comment. You almost hit it out of the park, jackass.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 10:47:14 PM CDT

    American Gangster was a mediocre to good movie

    by mr.deadite

    That badly wished it was The Wire.

    This movie looks like it's in the same quality range. Not bad the first time around, but it won't leave the theater with you.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 06, 2008 11:03:01 PM CDT

    that's pretty cool

    by degausser

    I go to school there. But instead of going to Body of Lies I went to Zack and Miri Make a Porno. Do you go to MSU to?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 07, 2008 12:53:03 AM CDT

    plant

    by javery56

    just joking, sounds cool, i hope Crowe is better then this review makes out, im usually a fan of his work.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 07, 2008 3:38:18 AM CDT

    Kingdom of Heaven: Director's Cut

    by kwisatzhaderach

    is Ridley's best movie since Blade Runner. And if we could somehow digitally erase Orlando Bloom it would be one of the all-time greats.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 07, 2008 3:43:37 AM CDT

    Bourne

    by kataklysmic

    The first one kicked ass. The second two were mediocre at best. Why people blow these movies I have no idea.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 07, 2008 6:32:56 AM CDT

    It'd be helpful getting Moriarty's analysis

    by bduncan

    It'd be helpful getting Harry, Massa and Moriarty's analysis of this film if they see it, as I suspect they're also going to be negative on it, as Variety was.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 07, 2008 7:01:18 AM CDT

    so is this the Bladerunner 2 talkback?

    by maniaq

    I only got one issue with the idea - Deckard BETTER NOT BE A REPLICANT! Apart from that, I say run with it...
    Although, having said that, I always thought there was more of a story there in a PREQUEL - hey, maybe they could get Shia - ok I take that back

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 07, 2008 7:27:46 AM CDT

    sounds like a TRAITORS movie

    by spandau belly

    James Woods is the man, yo.

    Reply to Talkback

  • ...just curious.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 07, 2008 8:59:40 AM CDT

    Lets open up a can of truth....

    by blat

    Leo De Crapio is lightweight. Can't blame the guy for wanting to play the primo roles he's been given and not been right for. He's mostly just been miscast in roles which require more depth than he's currently capable of. In most cases he hasn't look or feel right for the part and the cringe is intensified by the heavy weight talent he's playing along side. He just about pulled of 'titanic' and 'catch me if you can' . but i would be very surprised if he isn't melted off the screen by Russell Crowe who on the other hand has genuine depth.

    Also why the truth can is still open. 'The Departed' wasn't actually a very good movie.
    Don't mean to be a hater but in this case the truth just needed to be said.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 07, 2008 9:08:26 AM CDT

    things i never thought i would hear from you guys

    by crashbarbarian

    1) what's good about blade runner?
    2) kingdom of heaven dc is ridley's best
    3) anything positive about tom cruise
    4) anything positive about leo dicaprio


    I liked Kingdom of Heaven but was kind of bummed by all the negative reviews to the point that i never have seen the Directors Cut... are you really telling me that it's that much better... come on!

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 07, 2008 9:38:08 AM CDT

    KOH was okay. It could have been great were it not for...

    by orbots commander

    ...Orlando Bloom doing his best impression of a tree. Seriously, the guy ran around in costume in a period piece and instead of infusing it with energy and charisma, like Crowe did in Scott's Gladiator, Bloom sucked all the energy out of the movie like a black hole.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 07, 2008 10:13:50 AM CDT

    Leo D, Do androids dream?

    by darth macchio

    I think the jury is in on DiCappio's talent. Certainly not the "greatest actor of our generation" but he's certainly proven himself capable of doing good to great work.As fas as Blade Runner...Scott simply did the practically impossible and expanded on a brilliant but short original Phillip K. Dick story. The story is good, don't get me wrong, but Blade Runner is so much more than just a story. But to even hint at re-visiting that story in any form is practically blasphemy (or should be). Half of the article sounds like even those supposedly working on this realize it's blasphemy but then part of it speaks as if there's forward movement regardless. I think for the first time in TB history, at minimum of maybe 95% of tb'ers would agree that this is a absolutely horrible idea from any and every angle. And though I would never disparage simple disagreement, if you think a remake of Blade Runner is a good idea then you've got ass for brains.

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  • Oct 07, 2008 11:00:18 AM CDT

    Wasn't "Do Androids Dream..." a full length novel?

    by pdorwick

    ...and Blade Runner is so much less than it's story. Take away the visuals and you have nothing left but an empty bag.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 07, 2008 11:54:10 AM CDT

    Ridley Scott movies are entertaining but lack a soul

    by kesoze4

    That was pretty much all I had to say. Did anyone feel anything walking out of American Gangster other than "huh"?

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 07, 2008 1:59:02 PM CDT

    I saw it last night and

    by rocklover79

    It's about a 6.5 movie. There's some good ideas floating around, but the execution is pretty shoddy at points. Crowe isn't acting so much as he is hamming, to the point that it doesn't feel like he and Leo read the same script.

    And whenever Crowe looks over the rim of his glasses, take a shot. You'll be shitfaced in twenty minutes.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 07, 2008 3:45:25 PM CDT

    I also saw it last night

    by freakemovie

    And didn't much like it. The reviewer was correct in saying Crowe's part is entirely inconsequential, but referencing the Bourne series is way off. Basically the whole movie is the Americans -- DiCaprio included -- fucking up royally. Honestly, the American characters do not do a single significant correct thing in the movie, no exaggeration. Given that, and that "terrorist" and "Iraq" are each spoken 100 or so times, I can't imagine this catching on very easily despite the starpower.

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  • Oct 07, 2008 4:53:16 PM CDT

    American Gangster

    by tallsy

    The problem with American Gangster was that Scott didn't have confidence in his ability to tell the Frank Lucas story on its own merits. Therefore, he relied upon a parallelism that wasn't very interesting.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 07, 2008 7:59:49 PM CDT

    "You don't rub it, you blot it! That's $5,000 alpaca!

    by creasybear

    You BLOT that shit!" I liked American Gangster, and Denzel Washington proved once again that he's one of the best actors working. Or retired or dead, for that matter. I'm excited to see Body of Lies, but I'm done with a Middle Eastern setting for thrillers, no matter how current the topic is. Enough dust, Arabic, and more dust.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 08, 2008 3:18:14 AM CDT

    Bladerunner was great DESPITE actually being kinda shit

    by maniaq

    Let's be honest. There were a LOT of problems with the film and no alternative cut is ever going to fix that. The sheer number of people Ridley pissed off - who then turned in sub-par work...
    Ford's dodgy voiceover for starters, Vangelis didn't even bother finishing the score - and a proper soundtrack does not exist to this day...
    So why is it still such a great movie? Like people've already pointed out - Art Direction.
    Without the art direction, well there's not much left of Dick's original story after it got the Noir treatment anyway. Anything else? Acting? I don't think so. Editing? Dialogue? Art direction, art direction, art direction.

    So... What? A sequel could never possibly hope to reach such dizzying heights of... art direction???
    Give me a break! As long as Deckard's not a replicant, I'm there.

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  • Oct 08, 2008 10:20:03 AM CDT

    ALIEN

    by alcester

    why doesnt Ridley make a ALIEN PREQUEL? All the ALIEN sequels sucked.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 08, 2008 10:20:45 AM CDT

    ALIEN

    by alcester

    why doesnt Ridley make a ALIEN PREQUEL? All the ALIEN sequels sucked.

    Reply to Talkback

  • Oct 08, 2008 6:13:29 PM CDT

    "Space Chimps" is better than "Blade Runner"

    by drunken rage

    What an overrated piece of shit. Now, fuck off.

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