All about Eve

Was James McAvoy a charismatic leading man whose films made money until he landed Split, a film that clicked with audiences? Save for Leonardo Di Caprio, every actor these days relies on the FILM connecting with the public, even if they are household names themselves. How many films has JAke G carried as a leading man? Why can't the likes of Vin Diesel and Robert Pattinson carry films outside of their respective franchises? Like many good actors Fassbender chooses roles that interest him rather than 'leading man roles' for the sake of it a la Chris Hemsworth, for example or Matthew Mc in his early career or Colin Farrell. In addition, Fassbender often works on low budget, first time director type of films and he also readily takes supporting roles - hardly the career path of someone desperate to be a Hollywood leading man. In every film his performance, leading or supporting, is singled out for praise, including in Prometheus and Xmen in which he is part of ensemble. Even his films which under performed at the box office will make their money back in due course. So, I don't understand why some posters on this site single him out as a box office failure when other actors have outright flops which lose studios millions.

I was undecided about Emma's casting initially. She wasn't my idea of Belle but I could see why others would think differently. After seeing the film today I think she acquitted herself well enough and I can't now think who else I might have preferred in the role. Several other people I know have said the same, so she seems to be winning over those of us who were, perhaps lukewarm to begin with. I don't really think any individual is ( or needs to be) a major draw for a huge title such as this. It's the overall combination of the cast which needs to work and add to the existing brand. And, in my view, this cast as a whole works very well. I loved the animated version so was a little apprehensive about this but actually enjoyed it hugely. It does that version justice.

Ultimately Hollywood likes success. There are far more horrific stories about the way powerful producers treat people both sexually and otherwise but no one dares speak against them or refuses to work with them. If you look at footage and candid photos from all the big awards and parties, there are plenty of images of big names hugging Affleck and congratulating him. Also, what people say publicly isn't always their private position. Some people just play the PC PR game very well.

Innocent until proven guilty is the bedrock of any legal system. The whole point of settling a matter is that it gives neither side an advantage or disadvantage. Affleck may have settled because he's guilty as heck. The women could have settled because they've lied through their teeth. Or, as is more likely, the truth is somewhere in the middle. The point is we will never know because there was a settlement agreed by all 3 parties and none of them are allowed to talk about it now. Personally I'm sceptical of what people say on Twitter. It's increasingly a hate filled forum and brings out the worst in people. Alternatively People become holier than thou on Twitter. It's also a hotbed of what is outright libel. Posters are very fortunate that the law has not yet properly worked out how to handle the daily defamation public figures suffer on social media from people who read half a story or want to push some agenda. Plus, casting couch Hollywood with its sexual predators and love for convicted child rapist Polanski, among other things, can't pick and choose which moral high ground it wants to pontificate from depending on who the alleged bad guy is. As for Affleck's future career, I agree with moviesrus and Birdman's assessments.

It will all be linked, I think. Warren Beatty, the films, the accountants, Kimmel. It will all be a big family size bag of fiasco!

Overall I thought this was a hugely entertaining Oscars show. Kimmel was a great, natural host. The jokes flowed and landed without being forced. In the UK it's a commitment to stay up all night and watch the Oscars and I've done it every year since my teens. I've only seriously considered missing it twice; last year and this. As for a lot of people I know, the politics building up to the show both years was a huge turn off for me. However, I think Kimmel handled it well and kept it as an entertainment show. Of the big awards, I was most pleased for Casey Affleck. I think it was an incredible, layered, complex performance that in lesser hands could have been an over abundance of histrionics. His was the best male performance by a mile. Damien Chazelle was another one I wanted to win. Also Lonergan for best screenplay. I would have liked to see Huppert win simply because she's unlikely to have another chance and because I met her recently and liked her. But I'm fine with Emma winning. She looked like a Hollywood goddess of the golden era too which is also what the Oscars is about - out there glamour. I don't want movie stars to be 'relateable' and 'just like us'. I can watch documentaries for that! Kevin O'Connell winning on his 21st attempt and then the wonderful speech he gave was a real highlight of the show too. LaLaLand should have won best picture, imo. I didn't dislike Moonlight, I just don't think it's best picture material. But the fiasco has ensured it will be remembered alongside LLL so it's kind of win/win for both.

I really dislike the word 'racist' being over-used and misused. Especially in the context of awards. People vote for what they like on an individual basis from what is available. It's a personal choice. They don't sit around in a sinister committee deciding they won't nominate someone because he's a black American. i've followed the Baftas for many years and I've seen (and personally known) people of South Asian, Caribbean, Middle Eastern and other backgrounds get their careers off the ground due to recognition at the BAFTA film and television awards.

On a side note, if there was any doubt that Angelina Jolie is finished in Hollywood, the enthusiastic reception for Brad Pitt dispelled that. Maleficent 2 may happen but the directing gigs and big cheque roles are gone.

I rarely watch TV so the interminable television categories don't interest me. Aaron Taylor Johnson pleasantly surprised me in Nocturnal Animals. The film was pretty but ultimately hollow but he was impressive and good for him for winning. It wasn't an upset in my book, I think Ali was good but unremarkable in Moonlight. Ali will win the Oscar though. I'd always thought ATJ was a 'can't act pretty boy' but this will do his career good. Let's see if he can build on this performance. Casey Affleck's performance was so quietly devastating, it deserves all the acclaim it is getting. In lesser hands (Matt Damon) it could have been a whirlwind of histrionics but Affleck pitched it perfectly; grief, guilt, suppressed rage and self hatred. Get the Oscar Casey. Haven't seen Fences but I've interviewed Viola and I did not care for her. She will get the Oscar. Haven't seen Elle but anyone who can save us from an excruciating Portman victory speech gets my vote. I want Amy to win an oscar but I want her to sweep awards season and i don't think this is the role to help her do that. Lonergan deserved the screenplay award but I can't begrudge LA LA Land any of its multiple wins. Loved it. Hope it wins best picture at the Oscars. Politics at awards shows? Just no.

As long as Affleck wins best drama actor, Amy best actress, Michelle Williams best supporting actress, La LA land best musical, I'm happy. Manchester by the sea for best drama and Chazelle for best director would be great too. i'd be fine with a Deadpool win too!

I'm not aware that it has failed in any market where it was expected to be huge. In the U.S. It opened pretty much as predicted and is on target for 55-60 million, again pretty much as expected. i don't know what was expected in France and Germany and Russia but it's doing very well there. The UK figures aren't out yet but it opened second to Rogue one, supposedly, so that bodes well. In India, Romania, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Switzerland, UAE, it seems to be doing better than expected. And it has yet to open in several big markets. I've said in another thread, US sites are quick to label a film a'flop' within hours of release. They give a film no time to breathe beyond the first Friday. That 'flop' tag then follows the film no matter how well it does over a period of time as it finds its audience. Predictions about out how much a film will lose would be better made once it is nearing the end of its run rather than within the first week.

The film is doing fine in Europe. It has yet to open in many markets where I expect it will do well. I really hate that U.S. websites label a film a 'flop' literally within hours of release. They give movies no space to breathe and find their audiences. Worse, when the film actually does well ultimately, they rarely, if ever acknowledge this. Instead they whitter on about the opening Friday in the U.S. when the film 'flopped' and then grudgingly accept it 'recovered' overseas. So, even a successful film carries the flop tag with it because of those early headlines. in reality, few films flop. They may under perform but rarely flop outright. As for Fassbender, for my money he is one of the top two actors working today along with Hardy. He's the most versatile. 20 % of the U.S. audience on opening weekend said they saw the film because of him. Outside the U.S. that would be higher. He's always quality. The films less so, sometimes. AC will do just fine.

Still looking forward to seeing this tomorrow. Couldn't give a damn about critics. I've never let them decide whether I see a movie and I'm not about to start now. Antovolk, thanks for your observations on it.

Doubt what?

Yes, I saw that leap of faith. They are going all out promoting it in Europe and South America. I expect they will do the same for Asia.

I saw this last week at a preview. I'm a big Scorsese fan and it will find its audience, especially if it goes for the Christian faith groups but it's going to be an acquired taste.

I know nothing about games but I instantly recognize the Assassins Creed posters. There is something mysterious, cool and sexy about the assassin in his hood which always made me want to know more about the story. So a film version seemed a great idea to get the story out to a wider audience. This cast is as good as you can get. I've heard Justin Kurzel speak about the film at a couple of events and other bits of information make me confident the film will be very good. I'm seeing it at a press screening on Tuesday. The promo has also been very inventive in the UK. I know plenty of people who are either really looking forward to the film or are at least curious about it which is more than can be said for Passengers which I always suspected would turn out to be a dud ( though I like both stars).

The premiere is at Venice on Thursday. I'm going. The reviews on Twitter have been excellent. Fassbende right, Vikander and Cianfrance have done a number of interviews, see LA times, Entertainment weekly. There is social media coverage but considering the very good word of mouth from preview screenings, the release strategy and general publicity seems dire. This is a best selling book, a tearjerker of epic proportions with, apparently, 3 powerhouse performances and the studio is doing next to nothing for it. Strange.