Up In The Air

TheCentralScrutinizer · 31 Jan 10 :: 02:50

Damn near perfect movie. I wish it would win everything this year. Here's a movie that does not need a supernatural plot to tell a love story. Here's a movie with two very funny performances by luminous women who don't get made to look like fools (no prat falls). Here's a movie in which the dialog sounds miraculously natural. I just loved it. :applause:

I don't have a single nit to pick.

For those who are just confounded that I have zero interest in Avatar and can't figure out what kind of movies I like or what kind of movies I wish Hollywood made more of --- human dramas with heart and laughs --- go see Up In The Air. And leave me alone.

domesticelefant · 31 Jan 10 :: 02:52

I'm already waiting impatiently for this movie to arrive at my OV theatre. This is one of my top picks for 2010. Oh, and I bought the book when I was in Stuttgart the other day.

TeeJay · 31 Jan 10 :: 12:30

Well, you know, I've read a few reviews from people who said while they loved Avatar and saw it in theaters multiple times, they don't feel it deserves an Academy Award for best movie because neither the overall story nor the dialogue was very original. You know that I love the movie to bits, but I tend to agree. Of course it's debatable what makes a film worthy of a Best Movie Oscar, because Avatar has other qualities that stand out among all other films from 2009 in comparison.

Up In The Air is definitely on my to-watch list. It's released in Germany next Thursday. Let's hope it shows in OV.

-TeeJay

TheCentralScrutinizer · 31 Jan 10 :: 21:04

I do have one nit to pick with Up In The Air. Casting. Danny McBride was in it and that guy just irritates the living shit out of me. And Chris Lowell was in it but only for like 2 seconds. It was a true blink and you miss him role. I would've loved to see him in a bigger part. Other than that, it was almost perfect.

By the way, that crack about how I wish people would leave me alone about Avatar was not directed at you, TeeJay. I was just venting. I've had far too many people trying everything in their power to force me into the theater. Don't people realize that when you try to force something on someone it tends to make them even more resistant? And if one more person looks at me like I'm some kind of freak for not being interested in the movie, I think I'm gonna lose it and unload my full anti-blockbuster wrath on their ass.

domesticelefant · 31 Jan 10 :: 22:33

Chris Lowell? Wow, great. Now I'm going to sit in the theatre, trying not to blink because I could miss him. LOL

TheCentralScrutinizer · 31 Jan 10 :: 23:54

Yeah, my bet is he shot more and it got cut because otherwise, it wasn't even worth the time in wardrobe and make-up and I can't figure out why he would even do it.

TeeJay · 01 Feb 10 :: 00:32

This is somehow unrelated, but I happened to watch some of Minority Report today since I was copying the DVD for a colleague, and I was amazed to suddenly recognize so many of the minor characters that I didn't know when I watched it the first time in the theater and later again on DVD. Frank Grillo was in it, Blake Bashoff (from Lost), Peter Stormare (from Prison Break), Joel Gretsch (from The 4400) and Jessica Capshaw (from Grey's Anatomy). And of course Kathryn Morris from Cold Case, but I had recognized her the first time around. I had also somehow totally forgotten that Colin Farrell had a leading role...

Anyway, not that this is important or on topic, but I just wanted to mention it.

-TeeJay

TheCentralScrutinizer · 01 Feb 10 :: 04:42

OK, then I'll go OT.

OMG, I can't believe I've watched an hour and 40 minutes (well, sort of watched while doing chores) of Evita. Never had a bit of interest in it. Why now? Jimmy Nail, what else? He's not in it much, but there's nothing else on and some of the songs are great. Some are TERRIBLE, but some are really great. But now that I'm done with my chores, I might switch to something else...

TeeJay · 05 Feb 10 :: 22:47

Back on topic. Yay! I just came home from watching the movie. And I have to say, Deb, we're not aligning these days where movies are concerned. While I liked it, I didn't think it was a lot more than an okay movie. I especially didn't like the ending, it ended on such a discord. Maybe that was a good thing, because it made the movie un-corny and maybe also un-Hollywood, but sometimes a little Hollywood isn't such a bad thing.

-TeeJay

domesticelefant · 06 Feb 10 :: 01:11

The movie hasn't arrived at my theatre yet and it doesn't look good for next week either, so I'm gonna watch Did You Hear About The Morgans? first and MAYBE Sherlock Holmes, too. But I am REALLY waiting for Up In The Air. *sigh*

TeeJay · 06 Feb 10 :: 01:19

Oh, and I didn't miss Chris Lowell, btw. He's even mentioned by name in the title sequence. I, too, wonder why they bothered for the 20 seconds of screentime that he had. So here's what I did: I just e-mailed him and asked if they cut some scenes he was supposed to be in. Let's see if he answers.

-TeeJay

TheCentralScrutinizer · 06 Feb 10 :: 02:00

Yeah, I'd like to know why, if he feels comfortable answering.

Here's why I mainly loved it: the dialog. I love it when people in movies talk like real people, but maybe just a wee bit more clever than most. I thought it was beautifully written and acted. I really thought I was going to hate Natalie, but I ended up loving her and feeling very sad that she got smacked square in the face with real life at such a young age. And I liked the way it ended because it left us believing that Ryan was going to take Natalie's advice and use some of his miles to actually go and see some of the world. (I also liked that he gave a bunch to his sister and brother-in-law.) Since he lived so frugally, I bet he had tons of money saved up and could just retire and finally go out and enjoy himself. And now that he has fallen in love --- even though he got his heart broken --- he knows he can. And so hopefully now he'll go out and love some more (to quote Maude in Harold & Maude).

So I don't see it as a downer at all. I see it as a beginning.

TeeJay · 09 Feb 10 :: 09:57

Chris Lowell answered my e-mail (and he even thanked me for staying in touch). Yay! Here's what he said about Private Practice and Up In The Air:

Thank you for all the kind words about Private Practice. Shonda has been very good to me this season with some of the material I've been given. As for Up In The Air, yes I was originally in more scenes, but that's just the way it goes with films. In post-production, for whatever reason (usually to speed the movie along) they cut several scenes, including several of mine. But it doesn't really matter much to me. I was just happy to have worked with that cast and crew, who were all wonderful. I know the movie has quite a somber tone to it, but it is beautiful and it makes you thankful for what you have.

-TeeJay

TheCentralScrutinizer · 09 Feb 10 :: 16:29

Oh, that's so awesome. I could just hug him to pieces. He seems like such a sweetheart.

domesticelefant · 09 Feb 10 :: 20:58

Wow, a message from Chris Lowell, that's sooo cool!
I was at my theatre today to watch Did You Hear About The Morgans?. While I had a great time watching Mary Steenburgen on big screen once again I also noticed that Up In The Air hasn't arrived there yet, BUT there were a few posters from the movie on the walls, so this is a big sign that it's coming soon. Hopefully! I can't wait!

BiggestChrisMarquetteFan · 10 Feb 10 :: 04:38

That's really great you heard from Chris Lowell, TJ. I'm green with envy.

EOcean214 · 10 Feb 10 :: 23:08

TheCentralScrutinizer wrote:

Yeah, I'd like to know why, if he feels comfortable answering.
Here's why I mainly loved it: the dialog. I love it when people in movies talk like real people, but maybe just a wee bit more clever than most. I thought it was beautifully written and acted. I really thought I was going to hate Natalie, but I ended up loving her and feeling very sad that she got smacked square in the face with real life at such a young age. And I liked the way it ended because it left us believing that Ryan was going to take Natalie's advice and use some of his miles to actually go and see some of the world. (I also liked that he gave a bunch to his sister and brother-in-law.) Since he lived so frugally, I bet he had tons of money saved up and could just retire and finally go out and enjoy himself. And now that he has fallen in love --- even though he got his heart broken --- he knows he can. And so hopefully now he'll go out and love some more (to quote Maude in Harold & Maude).
So I don't see it as a downer at all. I see it as a beginning.

Completely agree with what you said. Especially about Natalie. Wasn't expecting to like her but ended up liking her alot. I felt her character development was really great, accurate and played well by Anna Kendrick. I was glad to see her nominated for an oscar for the role.

Very neat you got an email from Chris Lowell TeeJay. I always loved him on Veronica Mars!

TheCentralScrutinizer · 11 Feb 10 :: 02:21

Anna Kendrick has really come a long way. She's great. Have you seen Camp, Lindsey? I love that movie. I think TeeJay started talking to Chris Lowell before Graduation ever even came out. He put up some photos he took of Chris on the Graduation set on his personal photography website and she emailed him to ask if we could add them to our gallery. He was so sweet about it. He said he'd be happy to let us use them, but he wanted to check with Mr. Marquette first to see if it was OK because he was smoking in one of the pics and Mr. Lowell wasn't sure it was appropriate to spread that pic around. Marquette said yes we could use them and the rest is history.

These are the photos, just in case you don't know which ones I was talking about...

BiggestChrisMarquetteFan · 11 Feb 10 :: 06:44

I really like those pictures. Chris is looking as handsome as always.

EOcean214 · 11 Feb 10 :: 23:07

Thanks for the pictures Deb! They are wonderful. How nice of Chris Lowell to ask permission first. What a class act he must be! I did see "Camp." I love Kendrick as Jess in Twilight movies too.

Last edited by EOcean214 (11 Feb 10 :: 23:10)

TheCentralScrutinizer · 11 Feb 10 :: 23:13

I've only seen Twilight so far. There are bigger versions of those pics in the Gallery. We really love the smoking one (even though we don't like smoking). It's just very classic-looking and cool. We've used it for a bunch of stuff.

domesticelefant · 20 Mar 10 :: 20:17

So, I've finally seen the movie (as I said in the other thread, I saw it yesterday) and I have to say, I love it even more than the book, and that means something because it's really rare. I didn't manage to finish the book before seeing the movie though, and that' something I am planning to accomplish tonight. I can see the movie is "based on" the novel, but somehow I think I'm missing something. I am halfway through it and Natalie didn't show up yet. But well, maybe she will, I'll see later.
I really loved Anna Kendrick's performance and Clooney was great too, I just thought maybe he was a little "old" for that role. I mean, in the book the guy is supposed to be 35, right? Oh well, I'm not complaining. He was great anyway. So I can say that the movie fully met my expectations and it's already added to my DVD list.

TheCentralScrutinizer · 20 Mar 10 :: 22:17

Glad you liked it, Anne. Everyone was great in it, even the loathsome Danny McBride, I must admit. I definitely want the DVD.

domesticelefant · 20 Mar 10 :: 23:29

Can I just say that I totally DISLIKED Vera Farmiga's character? I don't really know why, but I didn't notice anything oscar-worthy. But well, maybe that's because I just disliked Alex for the whole movie somehow and I've never seen Vera Farmiga before so ... maybe I need to see more. And maybe I was focused too much on Anna Kendrick. LOL She really DID deserve her nomination! Can't wait to see more of her work!

TheCentralScrutinizer · 20 Mar 10 :: 23:38

If you can find a copy of a movie called CAMP, you might like it. The music is really good. The story's great. And she's hilarious. She can really sing too. I'd make you a copy if my burner wasn't broken.

Chris Marquette Message Board

#1 31 Jan 10 :: 02:50

Up In The Air

#2 31 Jan 10 :: 02:52

Re: Up In The Air

#3 31 Jan 10 :: 12:30

Re: Up In The Air

#4 31 Jan 10 :: 21:04

Re: Up In The Air

#5 31 Jan 10 :: 22:33

Re: Up In The Air

#6 31 Jan 10 :: 23:54

Re: Up In The Air

#7 01 Feb 10 :: 00:32

Re: Up In The Air

#8 01 Feb 10 :: 04:42

Re: Up In The Air

#9 05 Feb 10 :: 22:47

Re: Up In The Air

#10 06 Feb 10 :: 01:11

Re: Up In The Air

#11 06 Feb 10 :: 01:19

Re: Up In The Air

#12 06 Feb 10 :: 02:00

Re: Up In The Air

#13 09 Feb 10 :: 09:57

Re: Up In The Air

#14 09 Feb 10 :: 16:29

Re: Up In The Air

#15 09 Feb 10 :: 20:58

Re: Up In The Air

#16 10 Feb 10 :: 04:38

Re: Up In The Air

#17 10 Feb 10 :: 23:08

Re: Up In The Air

#18 11 Feb 10 :: 02:21

Re: Up In The Air

#19 11 Feb 10 :: 06:44

Re: Up In The Air

#20 11 Feb 10 :: 23:07

Re: Up In The Air

#21 11 Feb 10 :: 23:13

Re: Up In The Air

#22 20 Mar 10 :: 20:17

Re: Up In The Air

#23 20 Mar 10 :: 22:17

Re: Up In The Air

#24 20 Mar 10 :: 23:29

Re: Up In The Air

#25 20 Mar 10 :: 23:38

Re: Up In The Air

Board footer