Black Swan

So I'm going to go see this tonight, finally. I've heard so much good stuff about it that I decided now was the time to go see it.

The only thing I hate is watching tv shows (SNL, Oprah, etc.) who give away parts of the movie. I'm the kind of person when this happens to cover my ears and start singing the some random tune or I just turn the channel. I find that the least that I know about what happens in a movie the more I will enjoy the movie. I already feel like I know too much of what happens, but still I'm hoping I enjoy it just as much everyone else who's seen it already has.

There was nothing I'd read or heard in advance that prepared me for that total mindfuck of a film. Have fun!

Thanks, will now pass on viewing.

Quote: JIMMYFOCKER

Thanks, will now pass on viewing.

LOL, that was a GOOD thing. But, judge for yourself. It's not for everyone, by no means.

Quote: Mosca

LOL, that was a GOOD thing. But, judge for yourself. It's not for everyone, by no means.

Like most Disney films, this is a Disney production, correct?

It was a horrible waste of time. I should have remembered that next to the kid who played Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars prequel, Natalie Portman was tied with Jar Jar Binks for Worst Actress in a major movie. She isn't much better here.

Unless you are into ballet, my recommendation is to pass. Ten minutes in, I was kicking myself for choosing it over True Grit.

Quote: Ayecarumba

Unless you are into ballet, my recommendation is to pass. Ten minutes in, I was kicking myself for choosing it over True Grit.

Might be a good compromise for my wife. As opposed to taking my wife to the real ballet, which bores me stupid, I could take her to see this.

Plus I think Mila Kunis is hot.

See 'The King's Speech', I've seen it twice already. Colin Firth is so good its almost hard to believe.

Quote: EvenBob

See 'The King's Speech', I've seen it twice already. Colin Firth is so good its almost hard to believe.

Agreed. This was a much better film than the soft core lesbian porn in Black Swan. I recommend brushing up on the history of the English monarchy from 1930 - 1950 before seeing it. It would have helped me to know who the players are, and why the conflicts in the story are such a big deal.

So I just got back from seeing it. What can I say, a very interesting and strange movie. "Mind fuck" for sure! If I had to describe this movie in one work it would be SPOOKY. I did enjoy it though.

Quote: JIMMYFOCKER

Like most Disney films, this is a Disney production, correct?

Um, nope. It's nothing near that.

Quote: Ayecarumba

It was a horrible waste of time. I should have remembered that next to the kid who played Anakin Skywalker in the Star Wars prequel, Natalie Portman was tied with Jar Jar Binks for Worst Actress in a major movie. She isn't much better here.

I thought she did an amazing job in my opinion.

Quote: Ayecarumba

Unless you are into ballet, my recommendation is to pass.

And even though the movie is in regards to a ballet I don't think you have to be a ballet lover in order to enjoy this movie. It could've been a play or orchestral performance, etc. Don't be turned away cuz there's ballet in it.

Quote: Ayecarumba

Ten minutes in, I was kicking myself for choosing it over True Grit.

The funny thing is I was in the mood to see another movie afterwards and I saw True Grit this evening as well.

Quote: EvenBob

See 'The King's Speech', I've seen it twice already. Colin Firth is so good its almost hard to believe.

That was the third movie I wanted to see. Will have to see that soon.

Quote: Ayecarumba

I recommend brushing up on the history of the English monarchy from 1930 - 1950 before seeing it. It would have helped me to know who the players are, and why the conflicts in the story are such a big deal.

Thank you for this suggestion. I hate going into a movie that has prerequisites but it's too late and you can't enjoy the movie as much without first knowing certain things. I will note this before seeing it.

Quote: HotBlonde

I hate going into a movie that has prerequisites but it's too late and you can't enjoy the movie as much without first knowing certain things. I will note this before seeing it.

I thought the movie did a pretty good job of explaining the basic relationships. I can give you some back story that may help.

The opening scene of the movie is 1925. The British Empire is at it's absolute peak and reigns over 1/4 of the people in the world. King George V is age 60 and has been ruling for 15 years. Of his four surviving sons, only "Bertie (family nick-name for Albert)", the subject of the film, is married.

All four of the sons are in some sense dysfunctional. The oldest son and heir, (pictured in the film) is a fairly repulsive man, who only has sex with married women who push him around. The movie fails to convey that he was one of the most glamorous figures of the time, a worldwide celebrity seen as the possibly the most eligible bachelor in the world. His voluntary abdication as king would be the first in British history. He would go to Berlin to meet with Adolf Hitler, providing him with valuable publicity material.



The second son is the insecure stammerer who would later become King after his brother abdicates.

The 3rd and 4th son (not depicted in the film) also had problems. The third son was also painfully shy, but did not stammer. The fourth son, like the oldest brother, was very handsome and glamorous, but he was addicted to morphine and cocaine, and had affairs with both men and women all of his life before dying under mysterious circumstances in a plane crash in Iceland at the age of 39.

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In the opening scene, the British Broadcasting Company is only 3 years old, and radio is in it's infancy. The Duke has been married to his wife Elizabeth for two years when he is asked to give his speech at the closing ceremonies of the British Empire Exhibition . They don't say it in the film, but at the time his wife would have been pregnant with her first child, the current queen, Elizabeth II.

The movie flashes forward 9 years to 1934 when radio has become an important tool of governing. The King (their father) is an excellent orator and introduces the Christmas radio address to the people (a tradition that continues to today on television).

Bertie is approaching age 40 and has been involved in official royal duties for 14 years. However, he still can't overcome his stammer.
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Part of the strength of the movie is that the supporting cast is exceptionally strong. Even the smallest roles are played by top notch actors who are well known at least in theater. They add a great deal of depth and color to the movie.

It might help if you listen to one of the more magnetic speeches by Adolf Hitler .
The contrast with the speeches of George VI, the shy insecure family man thrust onto the world stage are incredible.

The actual speech in the movie should be listened to after you've seen the movie. Speech on 3 Sep 1939 after declaration of war .

This forum is an excellent source for movie reviews.