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Latauro is stunned by Crowe's performance in A GOOD YEAR...

This movie honestly doesn't look very good to me.. by Bean_	Nov 8th, 2006 05:40:02 PM
Good performance on Crowe's part or not.
I agree. by MMacKK	Nov 8th, 2006 05:42:39 PM
It looks terrible. And Latauro's the man. I didn't post in the last one, but I'm gutted the Glass House is being cancelled.
Seems like two great people by georges garvaren	Nov 8th, 2006 05:44:48 PM
are making a double pile of poopy. Good. When this fails, Crowe and Scott can make something with fighting and grunting and dying and all that stuff they do best.
Wow this sounds awful. by SkeletonParty	Nov 8th, 2006 05:44:53 PM
The wierd "music" trailor sort of had me guessing this was going to be bad.
I SO don't care about this movie, Crowe or no Crowe. by The Wrong Guy	Nov 8th, 2006 05:46:30 PM
The ad's looked awful. Simple as that. Give me Borat or The Descent anyday.
You know, I'm one of the few people I know... by Childe Roland	Nov 8th, 2006 05:47:44 PM
...who just never got Crowe's reputation as a great actor. He was perfectly cast in LA Confidential, for sure. And he was perfectly cast in Gladiator. But he didn't wow me in The Insider (looked like a guy in a lot of makeup, frankly, and spent most of his time mumbling...I kept wondering when he was going to straighten up, toss off the glasses and kick someone's ass) and there was more of the mumbling in A Beuatiful Mind (a movie which, imho, would've benefited greatly from a good ass-kicking scene). I enjoyed him in Cinderella Man, but it hardly seemed like a test of his acting abilities (as Stewart said at the Oscars, hats off to the make-up folks on that picture for making Crowe look like a guy who gets into a lot of fights). He's one of the most overrated actors working today. It was just a matter of time before that showed through.
And What's the Spoiler? by MMacKK	Nov 8th, 2006 05:48:00 PM
?
Looks like a borefest, but I'll see it for Ridley... by MaxHunter73	Nov 8th, 2006 05:48:36 PM
Honestly, the trailer bored me to tears. But forever a Ridley fan, I will see this come its DVD debut.
Weird... by kwisatzhaderach	Nov 8th, 2006 06:15:18 PM
A Good Year opened a few weeks ago here in the UK, didn't realise it hadn't opened in the States yet. It's Scott's worst movie by a mile and Crowe is awful in it. Great photography but just seems like an excuse for Scott and Crowe to have a nice time in the sunny vineyards. Stop wasting your time with this crap Ridley and get a proper 1492 DVD put together for christ's sake!!!!
"How can you not see that..." by Latauro	Nov 8th, 2006 06:16:13 PM
I just re-read that. I'm presuming I intended to write an actual end to that sentence, but I can't for the life of me think of what it is. Fill in your own ending for interactive fun.
Spot on Childe by jasper Stillwell	Nov 8th, 2006 06:17:39 PM
I've always thought that. A very limited actor that if utilised correctly can be highly effective (as in the two choices you mention and I have to say Master and Commander...to a point...) but really his work in this is ridiculous. And jeez, I remember when a Ridley Scott film was a 'must-see'....shame his 'John Ford of sci-fi' ambitions kind of dwindled.
Given the trailer I have complete faith in this review by IndustryKiller!	Nov 8th, 2006 06:22:43 PM
the last time Scott tried directing quirky drama, Matchstick Men, I'm pretty sure I had to stab myself in the arm with my keys to keep myself awake. I even said to a friend that Crowe looks weak in the film and I'm typically a pretty big fan.
Crowe laying low by Mr.Nelson	Nov 8th, 2006 06:25:35 PM
Maybe that's why Crowe has stopped working in H'wood to 'spend more time with his kids'...
And all tourists are wankers. by IndustryKiller!	Nov 8th, 2006 06:27:43 PM
There are alot of Aussies in LA and many of them come off as the stereotype of unjustifiably arrogant and loud drunks. It's something about being a stranger in a strange land that just empowers people in the most annoying way. We roll our eyes at tourists in America just like they do anywhere else.
Ridley Scott is the best of the last 30+ years by Mattapooh	Nov 8th, 2006 06:29:36 PM
Too bad he now has this apparent spot on his record
Do Not Care about this Premise At All by monorail77	Nov 8th, 2006 06:31:14 PM
Regardless of Crowe's performance abilities, I will never go out of my way to see this film. Its all there in the trailer: rich white guy with the world in his palm wakes up from the rat race and realizes there are finer goals in life...like inheriting a multi-million dollar vineyard. Fuck off already. I couldn't give a rat's ass about the so-called problems of this poor little rich boy. Try living my life, you cunt, with three kids and a wife to feed, and a mortgage to pay, all on a single income. Take your shit assed vineyard and stuff it up your asshole. Just sayin'
Once again no-one knows about his non-American work by half vader	Nov 8th, 2006 06:35:49 PM
Childe, in terms of range nothing he's done since 'going Hollywood' has been anywhere near as adventurous as Romper Stomper and The Sum of Us. Neo-nazi skinhead to Gay? Too bad people in the States are mostly oblivious to 'foreign' films. It's really annoying that the general idea of someone's 'career' starts with their first American flick. I do agree that he's not exactly stretching himself lately though. Unlike most though I thought Matchstick Men was great.
Romper Stomper by monorail77	Nov 8th, 2006 06:51:31 PM
Great film, but not really because of Crowe. He's good in it, but the filmaking itself is the "star." But then what the hell do I know. I thought Crowe was brilliant in The Insider and A Beautiful Mind, but his performance was just so-so in Gladiator. I think that's pretty much opposite to what I've read around here. Of course, there's no better performance from Crowe, or Denzel for that matter, than "Virtuosity" (j/k)
It's ok by Babyshamble	Nov 8th, 2006 07:21:24 PM
Another film that looks wonderful, however it's boring with a cliched story. I don't think crowe is that bad though, sure his accent is rubbish but he's still very watchable. Agree about the ending, it's a completely random scene that gives you the impression massive amounts of a character's part have been cut out.
How can you not see that... by Leedrick	Nov 8th, 2006 08:31:46 PM
98% of statistics are misquoted?
matchstick men by ephor	Nov 8th, 2006 09:18:16 PM
seriously Industrykiller, you didn't like it? I don't know anyone who didn't. I think it's among Scott's best films. Kingdom of Heaven was his biggest disappointment. I must admit not getting past the 45min mark though. But yes, just based on the trailer I knew I wouldn't be seeing this. When's the next BladeRunner Cut come out?
What's the non-sequitoral tag? by shizzal gofux	Nov 8th, 2006 09:41:39 PM
Anyone? I'm not going to see this...
"Yuppie scum who finds his soul with...... by Jimmy Jazz	Nov 8th, 2006 10:30:16 PM
the happy singing peasants." I thought that kind of crap went out with the first Bush. Never liked it then either. Doesn't seem to have improved with age.
the English accent is vanilla flavoured? by Amy Chasing	Nov 8th, 2006 10:58:42 PM
well, that explains why it's rarely any good when imitated. :) I always thought of the Australian accent as being pretty vanilla - the "plainest" of the lot. And I don't mean the ocker -how ya goin mait?- type accent, but your typical city-based Australian (like myself) doesn't pronounce words with a nasally or throaty sound (like some stereo-typical American accents), or use the defined vowel sounds of the British. But then I have an Australian accent, so I probably can't hear it as well as I can the American or British. What does it sound like to them I wonder?
Why is this a surprise? by AnnoyYou	Nov 9th, 2006 12:27:24 AM
The premise of the film is such an incredible cliche in current fiction, let alone film (ie, cold-fish American/Englishman goes to France and becomes human through intercession of "real" people and values, etc.) that I'm sure no actor could breathe life into it. That said, I'll bet Hugh Jackman or Hugh Grant could have done a better job with it. Crowe left his light touch back in Australia years ago.
Incest is best by godoffireinhell	Nov 9th, 2006 12:48:57 AM
don't knock it before you try it.
This vindicates my choice... by Wonder Man	Nov 9th, 2006 01:27:21 AM
...to stay home and watch Aussie comic giants Tony Martin, Shaun Micallef and Frank Woodley tear it up on THANK GOD YOU'RE HERE, rather than go to the premiere of a remarkably uninteresting Ridley Scott slumming job. It's almost as if Crowe picked it specifically to win his (never particularly massive) female fanbase back. It must also be said -- and people may declare a fatwa of sorts on me here, but it's what I believe -- I believe Ridley Scott struggles when he's given a script that doesn't involve guns, ghoulish creatures (as opposed to ghoulish caricatures) or opportunities for innovative visuals. The evidence is out there: MATCHSTICK MEN, 1492, WHITE SQUALL, HANNIBAL-- wait, that one did have guns. Ah. Anyhoo, based on the last 5 years, give me Tony Scott anyday: DOMINO, MAN ON FIRE, that cool ass BMW short with James Brown & Gary Oldman.,.
Yes, but how was Marion Collitard? by Touch of Evil	Nov 9th, 2006 01:59:46 AM
Love her! She is totally my girl crush. And did Abbie Cornish have a significant role?
Ephor, did you see the director's extended cut of KOH? by half vader	Nov 9th, 2006 02:16:21 AM
I didn't think the original theatrical release was much chop, but the new version is INFINITELY better. Bloom actually has a character arc and reason for his actions, and Eva Green doesn't just go batshit crazy for no apparent reason anymore. Great stuff. I reckon people do give Gladiator too much flak though. Scott never said it was an absolutely accurate historical drama. Just because no-one's overtly tongue in cheek (except maybe for Reed but then again that's just him) people seem to think it's not a popcorn flick. Weird. IMHO.
Russell Crowe can do English... by Sulis	Nov 9th, 2006 05:03:26 AM
In Master & Commander he totally nailed Jack Aubrey. English was spoke, contradictions were assimilated, much joy was had. But he was playing off Paul Bettany, which can't hurt.
I remember almost going to see him in The Blues Bros by half vader	Nov 9th, 2006 06:08:09 AM
Stage musical down the local RSL. Something came up and I didn't go but now I wish I had. Woulda given me an internal little chuckle I'm sure. Tryin' to sing way back then! There's a music video of him floating around from the eighties with like glitter and makeup on. God I wish I could remember the name of that one. I think he even had a 'stage' name! Ahhhh Rusty. I was however at this press conference thing for the footy he did last year where he was chewing this journo out when from where I stood it just seemed like the poor guy had to call out the question 'cause the place was so crowded he was stuck behind a cameraman! He also almost ran me over one time in his bloody 4x4 Porsche on the Fox lot. I shoulda yelled out "You sucked in The Blues Bros.!" Ahhh Rusty!
Wonder Man by Leedrick	Nov 9th, 2006 07:28:05 AM
Take Tony Scott, please, keep him. At least Ridley has made a decent film. Tony FLASH - HANDCRANK - JUMPCUT - OVEREXPOSE Scott bores me to tears.
Touch of Evil by filmcoyote	Nov 9th, 2006 07:54:54 AM
Marion is beautiful as ever but largely wasted in this. Abbie Cornish is where the incest bit mentioned comes in - she'd be about sixth on a list of main characters I would think. However, these two lovely ladies don't necessarily make it worth watching. Hunt internet pictures of them for an hour instead.
Fair enough, half vader. by Childe Roland	Nov 9th, 2006 08:29:33 AM
I'll readily admit being completely unfamiliar with Crowe's pre-Hollywood film work (not so much a case of my ignoring foreign films as my not finding him compelling enough in his U.S. roles to seek out his stuff from before he became a blip on my radar). But the movies you mention are from a while back, now. Is it possible he had promise and simply decided not to develop/test his bounds further? Plenty of actors do that and wind up typecasting themselves. In his Hollywood work, Crowe hasn't demonstrated much of a range beyond the deeply flawed iron man (I'd argue even his Insider and Beautiful Mind turns were riffs on this theme). I'd love to see him go gay again in a movie (like Kilmer's recent turn in Kiss-Kiss, Bang-Bang) or even go comedic/totally against type (like Vin in Find Me Guilty).
Under a Tuscan Sun 2: The Tuscanning by Spandau Belly	Nov 9th, 2006 08:48:33 AM
This Good Year movie looks really dreadful! There's no way it can possibly paint a more loving picture of rural European life and values than Borat. And doesn't Diane Lane usually get first crack at these types of roles?
Bring on American Gangster... by dr_buggerlugs	Nov 9th, 2006 08:51:29 AM
Think I'll wait a year or so for this and see it on Sky Movies for free rather than going to see it/renting it...that said, A Good Year looks like the kind of unremarkable film that'll be quickly forgotten once Gangster comes around in a year or so. I feel a little more enthusiastic about Scott shooting a gangster thriller with Crowe as a badass cop with flares than a Peter Mayle adaptation...
Half Vader by Kristian66	Nov 9th, 2006 08:54:25 AM
His name was Russell Le Roq
True Childe, and Kristian, by half vader	Nov 9th, 2006 09:55:17 AM
you just made my day. That was when he was still in New Zealand, wasn't it? Russ Le Roq eh? What a fuckin' dag (even if he was spot-on for M&C)!!
Theodore Sturgeon... by 9000rpm	Nov 9th, 2006 09:58:48 AM
...guest lecturered a course I took at U of K and he was very emphatic, contrary to the 80/20 rule, "90% of everything is crap".
Two Rich Fat Overpaid Guys Make a Movie About... by heywood jablomie	Nov 9th, 2006 08:56:38 PM
How it sucks to be rich and heartless, and you have to learn true values from a hot 24-year-old Eva-Green-looking girl with enormous tits and a full-body tan. Oh, and you also have to have an entire 30-acre vineyard to really get the point. I'm reminded of a quote from Steven Soderbergh--"So many movies nowadays look like they were directed from the back of a limo." This takes the cake.
Two Rich Fat Overpaid Guys Make a Movie About... by heywood jablomie	Nov 9th, 2006 08:56:44 PM
How it sucks to be rich and heartless, and you have to learn true values from a hot 24-year-old Eva-Green-looking girl with enormous tits and a full-body tan. Oh, and you also have to have an entire 30-acre vineyard to really get the point. I'm reminded of a quote from Steven Soderbergh--"So many movies nowadays look like they were directed from the back of a limo." This takes the cake.
Two Rich Fat Overpaid Guys Make a Movie About... by heywood jablomie	Nov 9th, 2006 08:57:07 PM
How it sucks to be rich and heartless, and you have to learn true values from a hot 24-year-old Eva-Green-looking girl with enormous tits and a full-body tan. Oh, and you also have to have an entire 30-acre vineyard to really get the point. I'm reminded of a quote from Steven Soderbergh--"So many movies nowadays look like they were directed from the back of a limo." This takes the cake.

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