Film Knights 08 Elects W.

Hurry up with counting those votes! I’ve gotta know how people voted.

Thanks for providing access to this film.

Written by Deirdre on November 4th, 2008 at 15:37

I enjoyed W. as a film, but it’s a bit depressing when reality intrudes and you remember that it’s based on a real person. Although, the liberal in me was quite satisfied by the scene where the chiefs of staff divide up the Middle East by oil reserves. You think, “Yeah, it probably did happen like that.”

Written by Alexander Pashby on November 4th, 2008 at 15:42

Did anybody else think W. was cool cheese before he became a God botherer?

Anyway – great film. Sharp, fleet, edgy and a great, great performance from Josh Brolin.

Written by Billy B on November 4th, 2008 at 15:55

Thanks for another great screening. I enjoyed the film. It seems we have a straight choice with old ‘Dubya’. Either (Michael Moore version) he’s a psychopathic ignorant moron, or (Oliver Stone version) he’s a naive god-loving simpleton. Which do you prefer?

Written by Joe Blair on November 4th, 2008 at 15:58

Thanks for the screening (and particular the extra screening for us who couldn’t squeeze in to the earlier one).

Umm… Thandie Newton? Anyone?

Written by Mark J on November 4th, 2008 at 16:16

Thanks for another great screening.

I was surprised how seemingly lenient Oliver Stone was on Dubya, the on-screen version was a more appealing version than the one that comes across on TV, and seemed more in control than I imagine he would be in real life. But then who knows? I’d love to know what Oliver based some of his scenes on.

And I agree with Mark J – Thandie?!! Was Condie meant to be a spitting image type nodding dog or was her performance just pants?!

Written by Emma on November 4th, 2008 at 16:46

W is an unsure film…I thought Brolin was superb as Dubya, and Burstyn as Barbara Bush almost stole the show…Condoleeza (Newton) was so sickeningly the “yes man” that I wanted to launch some WMD’s at her!…
Shame as I love Oliver Stone – Wall Street, Platoon and JFK are some of the best ever…

However, the “Robin Hood” soundtrack, and his prolific drinking was genius…and at times unintentionally funny and sad…

I give it a B-……was expecting an A-, and maybe if Stone hadn’t wanted us to LIKE Bush (given the fact that we all know he is a tool), he could have explored darker or more funny territories…

The father / son – “I can never please you” story has been done SO many times (Wall Street, Platoon, Any Given Sunday, and somewhat in Born on the 4th..)

In terms of a political review or satire it left me unfulfilled…I preferred his Nixon much more (and Hopkins accent is a joke in that!)

Overall a disappointment….Oliver is capable of much more!!…

Written by Chris Lauder on November 4th, 2008 at 16:50

Loved the film but I have to say that Thandie Newton stole every single scene she was in. Brilliant timing and great comic performance!

Written by Danny R on November 4th, 2008 at 16:58

…not quite sure why this film had to exist. Did it tell me anything new? Not really. Did it make me relook at Bush’s Presidency… erm, not really. Was Thandie Newton in this film? I didn’t notice…

Written by Paul Shinn on November 4th, 2008 at 22:44

“Was Thandie Newton in this film? I didn’t notice…”

sounds to me like precisely the kind of notice that actors crave.

Written by Anton Bitel on November 5th, 2008 at 07:54

http://www.timeout.com/film/features/show-feature/6132/bushs-best-blunders-on-film.html?DCMP=EMC-London-05-11-2008

Far more entertaining…

Written by B on November 5th, 2008 at 15:18

Thought the film was alright. Not so good that I could suggest it to anyone.

But Thandie Newton did a SPOT ON impression of Condie Rice. That was pretty damn good.

But James Cromwell… Seemed like he was just showing up on set and reading the lines. He didn’t even attempt to do George Senior’s nasally tone.

Written by Deirdre on November 5th, 2008 at 17:41

I found W. was a little frustrating.

It had a handful of great moments, and a huge amount of potential, but it didn’t really amount to much in the end.

By far the best thing about the film was Josh Brolin’s performance. I found it startling how easily I found myself believing his character, and EVEN making me like bush.

Throughout the cinematography was inspired with Oliver Stone’s direction adding another dimension to the film

But in the end, the film didnt really explore anything I didn’t already know or think about Bush. And as a film, it lacked a strong narrative which might have engaged it’s audience.

Anticipation: 3 Enjoyment: 3 In retrospect 3

p.s. I agree, Condelezza wouldn’t have looked out of place on a Spitting Image episode

Written by Daniel D on November 5th, 2008 at 21:37

I thought it was surprisingly sympathetic to W. Josh Brolin was nothing short of brilliant with his performance although he will always be Brand Walsh to me! Thanks LWL for putting on the screening!!

Written by Libby A on November 6th, 2008 at 13:02

Following the defeat of Sarah Palin, ardent Monty Python fans came out to show their support for the world’s best Palin….Michael!

To celebrate the national treasure that is Michael Palin (and the fact that the hilarious Monty Python’s Flying Circus TV show is just out as a new DVD box set), Singing Lumberjacks, Spanish Inquisitors, Mounties, Silly Walkers and Holy Grail Knights took to the streets to support Michael.

The demo marched through Trafalgar Square, Piccadilly Circus and on to the US embassy (pictured), picking up supporters along the way.

The ‘There’s Only One Palin’ protest inspired everyone to reclaim our favourite Palin’s name!

See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ddOClISh2Uc

Written by Louise on November 7th, 2008 at 11:51

I thought Thandie Newton was one of the problems with the film, it felt like she was trying too hard and it came across as an exaggeration. Brolin keeps delivering film after film, I knew there was a reason I’ve been in love with the Goonies from day one! The film overall was a pleasure to watch, very intimate, almost as if the main character wasn’t the single most powerful man in the world. That’s also the film’s limit though, as it never feels like there’s a point, it feels more like a collection of moments from his life we are given access to and are then asked to decide what the common theme is. It misses something, but at least it’s not another Michael Moore style piece of propaganda we can do without.

Written by Giulio on November 10th, 2008 at 13:00

On the Michael Moore thing I have to admit the juxtaposition of chirpy country songs against real war footage a bit heavy handed and very Moore-ish.

Written by Danny R on November 10th, 2008 at 14:31

You’re right Danny, but overall this wasn’t an all out attack on Bush, which would have been quite easy to pull off. I appreciated Stone’s decision to humanize him instead of portraying him as a devil in disguise. That said, there are indeed a couple of Moore-ish moments, such as Dreyfuss’ speech on Oil.

Written by Giulio on November 10th, 2008 at 14:37