The Way Back

[danny_galaga]

Siberian gulag escapees walk 4000 miles overland to freedom in India. Says it all really. Damn this is a powerful story. Got some dust in my eyes more than once. Stars Ed Harris, Colin Farell and a dude named Jim Sturgess. I don't think I've ever seen him in anything else. Also features Soarise Ronan. I can't say it enough, she is an amazingly talented actress for her age who has already got a number of very deep roles under her belt. If she continues with the acting, I reckon she will be one of the most important actors of her generation. I can't understand why there isn't more press about her, although since the press love negative news, it might be a good thing. She's still in school I think. Ed Harris is great as usual, and I think I'd see the movie just on the strength of him being in it.

Peter Weir directs. he doesn't do a lot of movies, but he sure puts a lot into the few he does. No need to churn out a whole stack of mediocre films if you have talent I guess.

I think it's a 5/5, although I have seen lower reviews. I have a soft spot for snow, and WWII era stories. So sue me!

my score for recent movies you may have seen:

  5/5 - The Way Back, The Kings Speech, Michael Clayton, In Bruges, Gran Torino, Mary and Max

4.5/5 - Taken, Iron Man, Reign Over Me, Watchmen, The girl with the dragon tattoo

  4/5 - True Grit, Traitor, Bedtime Stories, Sunshine, pineapple express

3.5/5 - 300, Max Payne, You dont mess with the Zohan, Yes Man

  3/5 - That new Indiana Jones flick, Disturbia, That new TMNT flick,

2.5/5 - Angels and Demons

  2/5 - The Love Guru. Note: My 2 is probably someone elses 1. Just leaving room for worse!

[shmokes]

I really like Peter Weir, so I'm interested.  As for Ronan, I think it's just hard to say.  Child prodigy actors have a habit of peaking early.  Then they grow up and suddenly what seemed like enormous talent at a young age is totally mediocre in adulthood.  See Haley Joel Osment, Mckuley (sp?) Kulkin, Sookie Stackhouse (drawing a blank on her real name, lol), Fred Savage (actually was he ever considered talented, or just cute?). 

Maybe she'll carry it through and be great as an adult.  Hopefully in the mean time she gets better roles than the retched Lovely Bones, though.  The Hobbit has a pretty good chance.  Though, unfortunately it's the same director as the Lovely Bones.  He did a good job with Lord of the Rings, though it's way too sappy and has an extraordinarily obtrusive score.  It's a tragedy that MGM's stupid bankruptcy drama ended up making Del Toro quit.  He's a far better director.

[danny_galaga]

I really like Peter Weir, so I'm interested.  As for Ronan, I think it's just hard to say.  Child prodigy actors have a habit of peaking early.  Then they grow up and suddenly what seemed like enormous talent at a young age is totally mediocre in adulthood.  See Haley Joel Osment, Mckuley (sp?) Kulkin, Sookie Stackhouse (drawing a blank on her real name, lol), Fred Savage (actually was he ever considered talented, or just cute?). 

Maybe she'll carry it through and be great as an adult.  Hopefully in the mean time she gets better roles than the retched Lovely Bones, though.  The Hobbit has a pretty good chance.  Though, unfortunately it's the same director as the Lovely Bones.  He did a good job with Lord of the Rings, though it's way too sappy and has an extraordinarily obtrusive score.  It's a tragedy that MGM's stupid bankruptcy drama ended up making Del Toro quit.  He's a far better director.

Have you seen 'Atonement'? A sinister little kid. I knew straight away she was something special, if she did more movies. And she has. They may not have been the best movies, but she has done some very serious roles for someone that young. That's what impresses me. In Atonement, James Mcavoy impressed too, but he has said himself he's not fussed if more roles don't come his way. A level headed lad, is James.