Elizabeth: The Golden Age - Capsule Review

[magusdave]

I won't spend too much time on this. A sadly disappointing film - giving it **1/2 out of *****. Cate Blanchett (Elizabeth) shines when she has meat in the script - but when the dialog is reduced to cliches and swooning schoolgirl romance, it's hard to stomach. Clive Owen (Sir Walter Raleigh) does what he can with his lines - and his earnestness

Comments

[morganminstrel]

To be fair, the original was crap history too, but the feeling of historiocity (as well as the, frankly, fantastic acting, sets, costumes, etc.) made up for it. Sounds like in this one, not so much, which is disappointing. I was looking forward to this film. :-(

[magusdave]

Me too. Having the Cinema Seattle membership (and the constant free prescreenings) has its advantages. Now I can warn folks of the horror ahead of time. ;)

[morganminstrel]

I was wondering how you saw it early....

[magusdave]

I'll be attending the 2nd Annual SIFF Members meeting next Wednesday - and seeing a prescreening of "Gone Baby Gone". I love Seattle Film. :)

[veroniquec]

Ah what a sad waste of so much lovely talent. I agree that the lowest common denominator seems to guide corporate art these days. The same folks who did the lovely film "The Red Violin" fell abysmally down on the job for their latest "Silk". Bah! A pox on the scurvy bastards.

[magusdave]

Thanks for the friend add, Veronique. Love the new song - much fun. :) Have not seen "Silk" yet - looks like it will be a pass for me. Seems like you have a discerning taste in film. What are some of your faves?

[veroniquec]

Chinatown; Black Orpheus; The Hunger; The Man Who Fell To Earth; The Red Shoes; The Red Violin; Julia; Being John Malkovich; Chitty Chitty Bang Bang; The Double Life Of Veronique; Fantasia; Amadeus; Angels And Insects; Nosferatu (the original silent version); Blazing Saddles; Double Indemnity; The Thin Man series; Jules And Jim; La Vie En Rose; Airplane; Carmen Jones; The Turning Point; The Gods Must Be Crazy; Anything with the Marx Brothers; Chicago; Blood Tea And Red String; Camp Burlesque (I have a cameo appearance therein)

[magusdave]

Wonderful list - love the contrast of art house and goofy comedy. :) I adore Krzysztof Kieslowski - Double Life of Veronique is one of my favorite films hands down.

Any chance you'll be making it up to Seattle for performance? We've got quite a Sepiachord friendly contingent up here.