Colin Firth

[Kiba.]

Originally Posted by Porkchopexpress

I'd like to see him tackle something a little more off centre, this 'King's Speech' strikes me as pure syrup Oscar baiting stuff.

You don't think A Single Man was off centre?

[Ancient One]

You don't think A Single Man was off centre?

Not so much off centre as missed by a mile. I thought it was cliched to hell and very boring.Turned it off halfway through, the only film I did that to last year.

[Porkchopexpress]

I think by 'off centre' I meant I'd like to see him act in a film that I would actually want to see, 'outstanding performances' are all very well, but if they are not in a film that floats my boat, I'm not going to see it.

Films like 'A Single Man' and 'The King's Speech', while no doubt worthy, with the former being art house fare to a degree, just don't inspire me much. Just not my bag baby.

Give him a shotgun and a a dog rape revenge theme in a blinkered small town suburb in Australia under the jackboot of the Church of Scientology and have it directed by Peter Weir and we can talk, oh and a moustache, he must have a moustache.

My Dad reckons 'The Last Legion' is better than 'Gladiator' too, but then again he has had a stroke.

[Kiba.]

Originally Posted by Ancient One

Not so much off centre as missed by a mile. I thought it was cliched to hell and very boring.Turned it off halfway through, the only film I did that to last year.

By missed by a mile, I take it you mean you didn't like it. I think it hit its target (arthouse) audience perfectly and managed to draw some general attention by being a strong debut.
In what way did you find it cliched? Please elaborate. As far as boring goes, I think when you read what the film is about, you know it's likely to be something you'd be interested in, or not. If you go ahead and see it anyway, at least you gave it a go. As I was watching it, I thought it was the kind of film I'd watch once only because it's sad. But I found it more engaging than, say The Killer Inside Me, which bored me. Killer had some scenes of disturbing violence, but that didn't make it an interesting film. Affleck talking in that trademark monotone of his did not make an inspiring performance. Like anything it's subjective what strikes a note with you and what doesn't.

[Kiba.]

Originally Posted by Porkchopexpress

I think by 'off centre' I meant I'd like to see him act in a film that I would actually want to see, 'outstanding performances' are all very well, but if they are not in a film that floats my boat, I'm not going to see it.

As a film fan, it wouldn't hurt to expand your horizons a bit. However, there are some films I have no interest whatsoever in seeing, like that new hoodie thriller, F. Life is short so why waste your time seeing films you know aren't your cup of tea. I'm not really sure what your point is. Firth doesn't star in the kind of gut cruncher films you like to see. Isn't that like saying Robert Englund doesn't do Shakespeare? Would you really expect him to?

But if you don't at least attempt to view these 'too worthy' films then you can't really know what you're talking about as you criticise them. That's the bottom line.

[Jonesy]

Absolutely, Kiba, you can't comment on a film you haven't even seen and give it a fair and knowledgeable assessment.

Originally Posted by Ancient One

Not so much off centre as missed by a mile. I thought it was cliched to hell and very boring.Turned it off halfway through, the only film I did that to last year.

It was a subtle beautiful film with a subtle beautiful performance. There should be more films out there that veer towards subtlety, rather than assuming all audiences have the attention span of a gold fish.

[Porkchopexpress]

Originally Posted by Kiba.

But if you don't at least attempt to view these 'too worthy' films then you can't really know what you're talking about as you criticise them. That's the bottom line.

Oh absolutely I agree, I can't have a true opinion on them, having not seen either, but in a multi-media saturated environment of trailers, interviews, articles and other peoples opinions, it's hard to remain objective and not form an opinion on the material.

My cynical gut just gets a gag reflex at Oscar baiting fare, but as for broadening my horizons, I'm not likely to see a film just for the sake of broadening them. I'm fairly receptive and open to most things, just not to the tune of coughing up £5-7 for the privilege.

My point is, I think, is Firth's back catalogue hasn't included anything to my own personal taste, I'm not a Clive Owen fan for instance, but 'Children of Men' is one of my favourite films of recent years. I just need to find him in something that appeals to me.

[jaykays hat]

Well done to Mr Firth for getting a Golden Globe.

[Kiba.]

Originally Posted by Porkchopexpress

My cynical gut just gets a gag reflex at Oscar baiting fare, but as for broadening my horizons, I'm not likely to see a film just for the sake of broadening them. I'm fairly receptive and open to most things, just not to the tune of coughing up £5-7 for the privilege.

Of course, and I feel the same way. But sometimes, if something comes on TV or Sky and therefore costs me little extra money or effort, I'll try something which is outside the usual watch zone if you see what I mean.

My point is, I think, is Firth's back catalogue hasn't included anything to my own personal taste, I just need to find him in something that appeals to me.

Fair do's. Although if you're not keen on broadening those horizons it seems unlikely he'll hit on a film you want to see. Looking over his IMDb list, he's had a fairly varied career but it is light on films in which cars race, robots explode and people rape dogs. Poor him, eh?

[morris]

Originally Posted by Porkchopexpress

My cynical gut just gets a gag reflex at Oscar baiting fare, .

My feeling about Oscar baiting fare is this: judge the film on whether it appeals to you, not the Academy. Otherwise you're allowing them influence over you and they don't deserve that.
As long as it's not about a terminal illness or some race issue/white guilt thing, I draw the line there.