Beautiful mind...awful movie...

[thaggas]

Okay, so I passed on seeing it in the theatres, and that is the only consolation I have now. I lost 2 hrs and 15 min of my life last night. I will admit right away that Russell Crowe is a pompous asshole, and thanks to some recent behavior, it will be a blustery day in Satanville before he gets behind an Oscar podium. (I guess he shouldn't worry about anymore poems getting cut.) Because of my distaste for him, the movie was flawed from the menu screen, but I can get past that and I did. I thought, "Hey it won best picture. It beat my favorite movies from last year, Iris, Vanilla Sky, and Moulin Rouge. It has to be kind of good." Well here's to hindsight.

Also, my crap video store only had pan & scan. When will people learn? I guess I should consider that a good thing, because now my memory is clogged with 33% less crappy movie.

SPOILER:
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I am not kidding, my wife looked at me eighteen minutes into the movies and said, "I don't think his roomate is real." What a dud!

END.




After last year's Gladiator/Traffic fluke and this year's Beautiful Mind/Moulin Rouge bomb, I'm starting to lose faith in the Academy. They have some ground to make up for this year. And there are some potentially great movies coming.

One last thing, anyone notice that Clint Howard wasn't in this one? Hmmmm perhaps Ron's Oscar curse had a name. C-L-I-N-T?!
Hmmmm?

[Dehrian]

Clint Howard is in it. But you actually have to be paying attention to notice him.

Sounds like you weren't.

[pdjennings]

Traffic, fluke? Moulin Rouge, bomb?

I guess that kinda explains why you didn't like A Beautiful Mind.

To each his own, I guess,.... but, um... wow...

(or, am i not understanding your fluke/bomb comments??)

[Quisp]

Your opinion is just that thaggas, yours.
That might also explain how some people think pink flamingos on their lawns, are attractive.

[a.bunker]

I'm with you Thaggas. We have got to stand up against this Russell Crowe mania! I just don't get it.

As for the movie, while I did find it decent, it was far from great and a hell of a long ways away from being the best picture of the year in my book. I thought Ocean's 11, Training Day, A.I., Memento, Ghost World, Mullholland Drive, and Lord of the Rings to name a few were so much better. But, I guess that's why I'm not on the Academy.

[SilentBob]

I'll admit, i too hate Russell Crowe. I think he's a stuck up, full of himself a$$hole. But i still haven't seen him act. I think its because i refuse to watch Gladiator (it beat Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) But when the movie is pre-viewed at my local Blockbuster, i will buy the movie (making sure it is WS)






Now only if they would that South Park episode of Russell Crowe.

[UFO]

I thought A Beautiful Mind was a good flick, but what do I know. BTW, your first mistake was putting ANY faith in the Academy. Make your own choices on which movies are the best of the year. :flush:

[slymer]

Originally posted by SilentBob
I'll admit, i too hate Russell Crowe. I think he's a stuck up, full of himself a$$hole. But i still haven't seen him act. I think its because i refuse to watch Gladiator (it beat Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon) But when the movie is pre-viewed at my local Blockbuster, i will buy the movie (making sure it is WS)






Now only if they would that South Park episode of Russell Crowe.

That's kinda wierd. You should watch some of his movies. He's a great actor.

[slymer]

Just watched "Beautiful Mind" tonight for the 2nd time. I saw it the first time in the theatre and loved it, but I thought it wasn't one of those movies that I'd watch again. Needless to say, I picked it up this week and tonight I watched it with my Mom and Girlfriend. I LOVED it!! It was even better the second time. You may hate Russel Crowe, but he is definitely the best mainstream actor alive right now. He's gone from a Gladiator to a math nerd and been nominated for an Oscar for both!

[elwood731]

To me, A Beautiful Mind was the film that sewed up how great an actor Crowe is truly. I liked him in The Insider, then he completely changed for Gladiator, and here he completely changed again. As good as Hanks is, he basically plays the same likable character in every film (maybe not this summer). Crowe shows range. He did an outstanding job in this film.


SPOILER



As for figuring out his roommate wasn't real 18 minutes into the film--I can only assume you had some knowledge about the subject matter of the film going in. Otherwise, you're just psychic.




SPOILER

[marty]

Originally posted by pdjennings
Traffic, fluke? Moulin Rouge, bomb?

I believe he's saying that Traffic should have beat Gladiator, and Moulin Rouge should have beat Beautiful MInd

[a.bunker]

How does Russell Crowe's acting change? He mumbles through every line and occasionally belts out a scream. Forget about his personal life, he is an overrated actor. Is he better than most of the actors in Hollywood today? Yes. Is that saying very much. No.

[Marq]

An actor's personal life, whether he's an asshole (Russel Crowe), has drug problems (Rober Downey Jr) or anything else never affects how I view their performances. Thus I have no real problems with Crowe. I thought he was fantastic in The Insider, but I thought he was awful in Gladiator (along with everything else about that movie ).
With that set aside, I still have no plans on ever seeing A Beautiful Mind. Usually I'd at least like to see what type of film the always unreliable Academy chooses as best film. But in this case, a simply have zero interest in it. I've never really liked any of Ron Howard's films (if I had a "favorite" it would likely be Parenthood). This film (while I am of no proper opinion since I haven't seen it) simply appears to have been made strictly to gobble up Oscar awards. It is the pefect film for the predictable Academy to embrace. Based on a true story? Directed by a Hollywood mainstay? Featuring a lead character with a disability? Some romance? Some heatwrenching drama? check, check, check, check and check. There was nothing more predictable than watching this film gather momentum towards Oscar night and end up walking away with many of the biggest awards. In a year where critics groups never went near voting for A Beautiful Mind, but rather embraced such great films as Mulholland Dr., Memento, Ghost World, The Royal Tanenbaums, and Moulin Rouge (which did manage to garner some Acadmy notices) it always amazes me that a hype machine like A Beautiful Mind (or Titanic, or Forest Gump, or Shkespear in Love or Braveheart etc etc) walks away a victor on what is supposedy Hollywood's most prestigeous night.

Again, like others, this is just my opinion. If anything it holds the least water since I never plan on seeing the film, and am clearly bent on how irresponsible the Academy voters are, and that this film is just nowhere near my cup of tea.
Thanks.

[Damian]

He was good in the insider and Gladiator. Those are the only movies I've scene him in. I'm going to try and rent Beautiful Mind today. It just doesn't look like something I'll want to add to my collection.

[Cap'n Katanga]

I have to chime in on the side of Thaggas...IMHO, A Beautiful Mind was rote, paint by numbers filmmaking...from an incredibly UNARTISTIC filmmaker. Howard is solid...but with little or no style. I find Crowe an incredible actor for all the films listed here...and LA Confidential, Romper Stomper, et al...I'm a fan, but this performance was phoned in...I guess I expected more. AS far as Thaggas' wife being psychic...count me in too...that was telegraphed as hell. I don't think ABM is pure bile inducing garbage...just mediocre...and I was absolutely aghast that it won against some of the more creative and technically superior films last year...One of the previous posters hit the nail on the head, though...Don't look to the academy as a benchmark of cinematic quality. One positive note for the film, Paul Bettany as the roommate, his performance was great...I look for bigger and better projects from him.

[TuerkAlert23]

it's funny how people talk about russell crowe's performances and all they talk about is his big 3 starring roles, insider, beautiful mind, gladiator. Now I thought he was great in all 3(insider being the best performance and movie, followed by gladiator and beautiful mind) but when I hear arguements over his talent as an actor, I always think of L.A. Confidential. His breakthrough supporting role is the one that stands out in my mind and he deserved the supporting oscar. Also he was very very good and scary in Romper Stomper

[elwood731]

Originally posted by TuerkAlert23
actor, I always think of L.A. Confidential.

I should have thought of that, but I guess it was too late at night. Never seen Romper Stomper, but yes, he is very good in LA Confidential.

[pdjennings]

Originally posted by marty
I believe he's saying that Traffic should have beat Gladiator, and Moulin Rouge should have beat Beautiful MInd

Ooooooh. Ok... I guess that makes more sense then!

[theta]

SPOILERS AHOY!!!

First, I think we can all agree that "A Beautiful Mind" is not a marvel of screenwriting excellence. In fact, it's about what we've come to expect from Akiva Goldsman (to blame for, among other steaming cinematic piles, "Batman and Robin"), and if you look at the trailer, you'll quickly notice that a LOT of scenes in that trailer got chopped out of the film itself. I suspect the editor improved this movie a lot more than Ron Howard cares to admit.

Still, that said, I think it's a step forward for Howard. Sure, it's just the standard "triumph of the human spirit" movie, and it doesn't discuss Nash's past in any real detail, but he does execute things pretty well. I figured out the bit about the roommate too, but that's sort of hard to avoid, considering you know the movie is about Nash doing the Thorazine shuffle from the publicity surrounding it.

Basically, ABM isn't the greatest movie. It's good for what it is. If you don't like what it is, don't watch it.

If you want to see a masterpiece that deals with the same basic story-arc but is completely heart-breaking and will make you cry without manipulating you, buy David Lynch's "The Elephant Man", which is the same cost new as "A Beautiful Mind", and infinitely better. Just don't expect any chapter stops.

[mp3pir8]

Originally posted by Marq
An actor's personal life, whether he's an asshole (Russel Crowe), has drug problems (Rober Downey Jr) or anything else never affects how I view their performances.

I agree.

Anyway, I think A Beautiful Mind is a great film, and I think Crowe is a talented actor.

[Donkey]

I think it was a great movie. Out of all the movies that were nomiated for best picture this one was the one that really desiverd it. A 10/10! Great DVD set also!

[thaggas]

Wow,
I never expected this kind of response to my humble opinion. So here's some clarity for you...

Yes, I thought Moulin Rouge and Traffic should have won best picture, (I actually would consider ABM and Gladiator for best picture if there had been movies called Memento, Mulholland Drive, LOTR, and Moulin Rouge.) It's a shame that in a year of such innovative filmmaking, we rewarded this trite film.

I liked the "paint-by-numbers" comment, I agree totally.

Really? Clint Howard? Where? I was looking for him. And I was paying attention, thank you very much. I gave this film every opportunity. I'd like to offer a formal apology to Clint Howard, my Oscar curse slam was out of line and premature. I'm sorry.

As to Russell Crowe's acting. He can act. I've seen it with mine own two eyes. (I present Exhibit A: L.A. Confidential.) Has he lived up to that performance since? No. He's been on cruise control ever since. Because of L.A. Confidential I paid to go see The Insider, Proof of Life, and Gladiator, I gave him the benefit of doubt for THREE movies. Well, I'm done. (And I'm sorry, but the make-up in The Insider was crap. I couldn't do it that good, but c'mon, it looked like a Halloween mask. ABM had awesome make-up. That I was impressed with.)

I also agree that a person's personal life should not interfere with their work, but sometimes it does. Not because I let it, but because they do. A truly great actor can make you forget all about their personal life. But when Russell Crowe is wailing and throwing tantrums, I'm just reminded that this isn't much of a departure from his real life. I know that everything I know about Russell Crowe is filtered through the rotton media, but what happened after the BAFTA's could not spun in a positive light. The guy is a thug. And like that asshole, Eminem, I can respect the work and hate the man.

As far as ABM is concerned, it didn't earn my respect. And the fact is, I will go see a movie for different reasons, one of them being the actors in it. It will be several home viewings of quality Crowe work before I contribute to his box office ever again.

[marty]

Originally posted by Cap'n Katanga
I have to chime in on the side of Thaggas...IMHO, A Beautiful Mind was rote, paint by numbers filmmaking...from an incredibly UNARTISTIC filmmaker. Howard is solid...but with little or no style.

count me in on that side of the debate as well, Ron Howard would be a perfect second unit director - his "style" is the absence of style, it is as if he found a checklist in the Director's textbook and follows it to the letter. Usually he comes up with enjoyable enough films by doing so, but by no means are they anything special.

[Jango]

Forget about his personal life, he is an overrated actor.

Bull! Think what you want about him, but the man is clearly a phenomenal actor. There isn't much to debate about that. He's clearly one of the best in the business today.

As for him being awful in Gladiator, that is so not true either. The man has never given an awful performance in his life, at least in every performance I've seen him in.

The Insider, Gladiator, LA Confidential, Romper Stomper, and A Beautiful Mind prove just how good of an actor he is. 3 Academy Award noms and 1 win doesn't hurt either.

As for his personality, who cares. I don't know the man. I don't hang out with him, so it makes no difference to me. All I need from him is to give me my money's worth when I go into theaters. He succeeds in spades at doing that.

[a.bunker]

Geez! I didn't know this board became the official Russell Crowe fanclub.

[thaggas]

Let's talk about what the thread was originally: the quality (or lack) of in ABM.

Russell Crowe's performance aside, the movie wasn't that great. Because as we all know, sometime good actors do great performances in crappy movies (American History X), and sometimes great actors give awful performances in horrible movies (Pay It Forward). It happens. It's up to the viewer to form their own opinion and separate the actors ability from the performance and that from the film.

Do I think ABM is as bad as Pay It Forward? No. But I don't consider it Academy Award material. Surely this is just evidence of the Academy's fear of change. You have be disappointed with how the Academy has shyed away from really good "alternative" cinema. (I know I should form my own opinion, and I do, but the fact is, a Best Picture win legitimizes a movie and increases its awareness. I personally couldn't care less if more people saw ABM. Because I think time would have better spent if people had been driven to see Moulin Rouge or Memento.)

It's hard for me to pin-point what it lacks, but here's this: There's nothing special about it. Can you think of a scene in that movie that is burned into your memory? When you watch it again, do get excited as that scene approaches? I can't think of one. Gladiator had that great scene where all the gladiators were banging their swords and Russell stood up and walked out there and kicked ass. American Beauty had tons of scenes like that. The asparagus scene, the drive-thru, Carolyn's collapse in the empty house. ABM lacked that spark that makes people love movies. It didn't move me. If I summed the movie into one word, it'd be "forgettable."

[SilentFace]

just speaking my own mind, not that it matters, but Moulin Rouge was like watching a headache come to life. Everyone was stepping over everyone elses lines. That just drives me batty

[thaggas]

"Everyone was stepping over everyone elses lines"

Have you ever had a conversation? That's how people talk. God bless Orson Welles, Robert Altman, and Baz Luhrmann for knowing that.