tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925606367227514818.post8045323735595294410..comments2024-03-27T15:36:10.416-07:00Comments on Film Reviews from Two Guys in the Dark: Lee Daniels' The Butler, 20 Feet from Stardom, and In a World ... (along with a brief mention of We're the Millers)Ken Burke; Pat Craighttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18358623927080966157noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925606367227514818.post-58868767602688791962013-09-07T23:26:43.396-07:002013-09-07T23:26:43.396-07:00Hi rj, Well, I'll have to talk to Pat about th...Hi rj, Well, I'll have to talk to Pat about that thumb thing (Maybe now that both of the originators are gone the copyright has lapsed, but I know that Ebert appointed some surrogates to continue his video tradition; I watched once, felt like I was seeing freshmen college students in an introductory criticism class and haven't been back since. But, as we're speaking of ironies here, when Siskel and Ebert left PBS to go commercial there was a chance to send in audition tapes in hopes of replacing them. I was teaching at SMU, had made friends with <i>Dallas Morning New</i> film critic Philip Wuntch, so we sent in a tape, but you may have guessed by now that we didn't get chosen. Maybe Pat and I would have better luck, although I think he'd be much stronger on camera than me--I've seen him act in <i>The Fantastics</i> and he has a great stage presence. I was also doing a cable TV film review show in Dallas back in the '80s and had a hell of a time being comfortable talking to a camera.)<br /><br />Glad to know that you liked <i>(Whatever You Want To Call It) The Butler</i> so much because I have a lot of respect for it, despite any caustic comments made above. I do think that Whitaker and Winfrey were especially effective in their roles (and a nomination for Oprah might well be a reasonable consideration, depending on what else we see between now and the end of the year), with Jane Fonda doing a very reasonable, respectful Nancy Reagan as well. Finally, I agree on the "see it with an audience" recommendation, as it brings impactful responses in many scenes, well worth sharing even if with a roomful of strangers.<br /><br />Keep those comments coming, Mr. Semi-Official Third Guy in the Dark; always great to hear from you. KenKen Burke; Pat Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18358623927080966157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925606367227514818.post-52392763908879332232013-09-07T09:22:43.108-07:002013-09-07T09:22:43.108-07:00Ken, it appears with a little better marketing you...Ken, it appears with a little better marketing you could be on PBS as the skinny guy and Pat could be the other thumb.<br /><br />Finally caught <i>The Butler</i> (who wants to ask for tickets or even talk about Lee Daniels?); the studio could have called it <i>The White House Butler</i> and pulled in more audience than they already have, although the film seems to be doing quite well even here in the deep south. <br /><br />It is a good film and Oprah could get a nomination; I also thought the Kennedy actor was spot on given he wasn't <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ipm2zgbnTSU" rel="nofollow">Vaghn Meador</a>. The Jackie character was extremely effective in her two onscreen minutes. Seems they could have found a better Reagan but Jane Fonda was pretty ironic as Nancy. Overall the historical references and film clips effectively enhanced an overall positive viewing experience. <br /><br /><i>The White House Butler</i> (opps) does carry a strong indictment of US racial policy in our modern era. Klu Klux Klan over a hundred years after the freeing of the slaves? Nixon and Reagan came across as obstructionists; perhaps the Bush presidencies improved the Republicans chances of ever winning minority votes again. Again, an effective film on many levels.<br /><br />My vote is to see the film with an audience, even if it might be accessible elsewhere for free. rjhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13025728540081089210noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925606367227514818.post-9168327070884295762013-08-29T13:25:14.863-07:002013-08-29T13:25:14.863-07:00Hi Josh, Thanks for the kind comments. Have you h...Hi Josh, Thanks for the kind comments. Have you had a chance to see <i>In a World ...</i> yet? Whenever you do I'd love to hear your thoughts on it. KenKen Burke; Pat Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18358623927080966157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925606367227514818.post-40875490483397032682013-08-29T03:41:39.172-07:002013-08-29T03:41:39.172-07:00Valuable info On Voice Over Artists Australia. Luc...Valuable info On <a href="http://joshvoiceovers.com.au" rel="nofollow">Voice Over Artists Australia</a>. Lucky me I found your web site by accident, and I am shocked why this accident didn’t happened earlier! I bookmarked it. JoshVoicehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14209626835121385787noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925606367227514818.post-25465083864982748662013-08-28T12:08:27.382-07:002013-08-28T12:08:27.382-07:00Hi Lemia, Thanks for replying here, joining the Me...Hi Lemia, Thanks for replying here, joining the Members group, and for maintaining contact for these many years.<br /><br />For everyone else, Lemia was a marvelous student of mine at Mills College some time ago and is now a very dedicated filmmaker. If you'd like to know more about aspects of the culture in Syria than what I've seen in mainstream news I encourage you to connect to the above links and read her article and blog. KenKen Burke; Pat Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18358623927080966157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925606367227514818.post-7578777003848526702013-08-28T12:05:19.114-07:002013-08-28T12:05:19.114-07:00Hi Tabia and Tippu, Thanks for making note of a me...Hi Tabia and Tippu, Thanks for making note of a means to watch <i>Lee Daniels' The Butler</i> online. I have no connection to these recommendations and cannot vouch for them in any way. KenKen Burke; Pat Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18358623927080966157noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2925606367227514818.post-59576324602435265702013-08-24T13:32:49.728-07:002013-08-24T13:32:49.728-07:00Hi Ken!
Finally checking out your blog! Now I kn...Hi Ken!<br /><br />Finally checking out your blog! Now I know where to go when I want a real review. Just got my first article published online and, of course I have a blog too.<br />Be seein' ya!<br /><br />http://contendersmagazine.com/blog/filming-el-hijab/<br /><br />http://foreignersdaughtersyria.blogspot.com/Lemiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10396888975243804414noreply@blogger.com