Random Film Thoughts: You've Been Blackballed

[Raybee]

Eddie Redmayne is gunning for Oscar #2 playing transgender pioneer Lili Elbe:

http://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/feb...anish-girl

[misplaced validity]

Jamie Lee Curtis interviewed Sigourney Weaver:
http://www.interviewmagazine.com/film/si...aver#page2

[eurocheese]

I looked at the Best Actress winners and realized this decade has really had an incredible line up of women so far, even if I wouldn't have supported some of their wins at the time. If any of these ladies, even Portman and Lawrence, decided to quit tomorrow and never work again, they would still have wildly impressive resumes. Is it too much to hope that we are starting to see well respected women honored for their bodies of work the way men have been for decades? And will that lead to an age balance for the winners? Will it just lead to "career wins" that frustrate us? Right now I'm loving it - the only decade with a stronger overall batch for me would be the 60s, though I still have a few gaps in the winners I've seen.

[misplaced validity]

It's interesting to see Dustin Hoffman's adjusted box office grosses. He's been in 5 films that would have made over $300 million at today's costs, 11 that would have made over $200 million (well, including Kung Fu Panda), and 15 that would have made over $100 million. Considering he's rarely done big-budget summer films, that's really incredible.

[misplaced validity]

For all of the press Molly Ringwald gets for her '80s image, what about Elisabeth Shue? She's in two of my favorites from the '80s - The Karate Kid and Adventures In Babysitting - and also did Cocktail and Back to the Future Part II. Of course, AIB was the only one that was her story.

[dug11]

That's probably why Ringwald receives more attention - she was typically the lead in all of her John Hughes films, whereas Shue played a supporting role in all of those except one. Although I adore Adventures in Babysitting.

[tonygoldenemmy]

Also, while it's fondly remembered now, Adventures in Babysitting wasn't exactly a huge hit back in '87. It opened in 9th place (!) at the box-office opening weekend.

[misplaced validity]

I'm ready for James McAvoy to have a true breakout role. He's been the best part of some mediocre films (Becoming Jane and The Conspirator come to mind) and was Oscar-worthy in the little-seen Filth.

[mahogany soul]

I thought his breakout role was Wanted. Or Atonement.

[dws1982]

I don't think McAvoy wants a breakout beyond what he's experienced. Based on interviews I've read, he seems to very much prefer the low-key lifestyle in London with his family, mostly just doing films and plays that interest him. I think he was better than any of this year's Best Actor nominees (well, give or take Cooper) in The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Him.