Xixax Film Forum

So (and help me out with this one, Mac) I heard today that Christina Ricci and Charlize theron are going to do a nude lesbian scene in Monster.

Which leads me to the question: "why couldn't this have happened sooner?"

Monster Begins Principal Photography
Monday, February 10, 2003

Production of the MDP Worldwide feature film Monster began principal photography in central Florida today, with Charlize Theron starring as the recently executed female serial killer Aileen Wuornos. Theron is joined by co-star Christina Ricci under the direction of first time director Patty Jenkins.

Convicted of murdering seven men, Wuornos was put to death by lethal injection at Florida State Prison near Stark on October 9, 2002, after 12 years on death row. Florida Governor Jeb Bush provisionally stayed her execution but then reinstated it on the 2nd of October 2002. Wuornos was the second woman executed in Florida since the death penalty was reinstated nationally in 1976.

Director Patty Jenkins' original script chronicles the period in Wuornos' life during which she committed the murders. "There was something incongruous with the monster image created by the media coverage of this case and the woman I saw break down in the courtroom on the day of her sentencing," said Jenkins. "Getting behind the headlines to the heart of who this person was is what I'm aiming for with this film.

When it came to casting, Jenkins only had one actress in mind. "Charlize Theron's inherent charisma and rage convinced me that no other actress could better handle the transformation required to tell this very human story," explains Jenkins.

Theron has been in careful preparation for her role and part of her transformation includes gaining over 20 pounds in order to more closely resemble the prostitute, hardened by 20 years of life on the streets, turned serial killer.

Christina Ricci portrays Wuornos' lesbian lover who eventually collaborated with the police in order to convict Wuornos. Wuornos' life has been the subject of books, several television investigation series, an opera and a documentary.

Quote from: MacGuffinTheron has been in careful preparation for her role and part of her transformation includes gaining over 20 pounds in order to more closely resemble the prostitute, hardened by 20 years of life on the streets, turned serial killer.

That 20 pounds isnt doin very much for me

Quote from: Duck Sauce
That 20 pounds isnt doin very much for me

Fattist... she could use that 20 pounds... now if Christina would just pull herself back to that Buffalo 66 look first.

I remember a friend of mine had a shrine of sorts for Christinia Ricci. She thought it was so noble that someone with her figure was willing to keep it while making movies in Hollywood. That admiration dissappeared though when she thinned down in a way that seemed reminding way too much of other Hollywood actresses.

~rougerum

B(.)(.)BIES!

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Hollywood stunner Christina Ricci will appear completely naked in her next film role. The former child star, who shot to fame in The Addams Family, will join actress Charlize Theron in the movie Monster. Monster is the story of executed serial killer Aileen Wournous, a prostitute, who murdered seven men on the Florida highways during 1989-90. And the scenes where the two women become lesbian lovers in prison don't faze the 22-year old star. She says, "I'm pretty f****** naked. My agent persuaded me to go for it. She keeps saying, 'You have beautiful breasts'."

Quote from: MacGuffinShe keeps saying, 'You have beautiful breasts'."

is that all it takes?

And suddenly, as if by one consciousness, the line "You have beautiful breasts" is spoken to women in bars across the world.

What a time to be alive...

Quote from: XixaxB(.)(.)BIES!

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"God Damn! I said God... damn!"  
She is one fine piece of assssss

Thanks for that article, Mac. I always hate it when actresses put on a few pounds for a role and they automatically assume that they look enough like an ugly woman to gain the respect of critics. Theron's actually going all out on this one.

She still needs a little armpit stubble to be completely repulsive.

Still. It'll be one Hell of a lesbian sex scene, boys...

This whole thing reminds me of an SNL skit where a college boy gets a wish and he asks for "real live lesbians doing it" and these two hairy women sporting flannel and mullets appear and start making out.

From what I understand, Charlize is the one with fake ugly teeth.

Sounds like Ricci's still slated to be regular naked... besides, I think Charlize looks better in the "after" picture there.

Christina has already gone topless in an upcoming movie called either Prozac or Prozac Nation, it's been done for a year or so but is only coming out now. That being said, there are images out on the net somewhere.

ahhhh this reminds me of 2000 when we all sat around waiting to watch " The gift" was that even a good movie, i saw it the first night it came out and well the story didnt do much to stick in my head, but ohhh katie holmes .......... :: makes like homer simpson:: Ohhhh Boobies sweet sweet boobies

Quote from: BonBon85Thanks for that article, Mac. I always hate it when actresses put on a few pounds for a role and they automatically assume that they look enough like an ugly woman to gain the respect of critics. Theron's actually going all out on this one.

Are you saying that all overweight women are ugly, BonBon? And are you describing Theron looking pretty much like an average person as 'all out' ugly too?

If so: Mac, you mighta found your dream Barbie there...

Quote from: budgieAre you saying that all overweight women are ugly, BonBon? And are you describing Theron looking pretty much like an average person as 'all out' ugly too?

If so: Mac, you mighta found your dream Barbie there...

Damn, I hope so. Then, instead of being jealous of me looking at other women, I'll have to admit what I was looking at and point out the other women's flaws to her, and we can laugh at them together.

Quote from: MacGuffin

Quote from: budgieAre you saying that all overweight women are ugly, BonBon? And are you describing Theron looking pretty much like an average person as 'all out' ugly too?

If so: Mac, you mighta found your dream Barbie there...

Damn, I hope so. Then, instead of being jealous of me looking at other women, I'll have to admit what I was looking at and point out the other women's flaws to her, and we can laugh at them together.

Ah well, one woman's flaw is another man's obsession.

One man's obsession over a woman is also his flaw.

I think you'll find that's just what I said. :kiss:

Flawed minds think alike...obsessively.  :kiss:

... (http://preview.audiolicense.net/tracks/mp3/ANW1030/04.mp3)

Quote from: budgie[Are you saying that all overweight women are ugly, BonBon? And are you describing Theron looking pretty much like an average person as 'all out' ugly too?

You've got me completely wrong on this one. Sorry for being unclear. What I meant by this is that many actresses assume that by merely bringing themselves up to the weight of an average person they should gain critical respect, and this is hardly what I think should happen. Many people are quick to assume that because an actress has altered her appearance to make it less appealing she is serious about a role and cares more about her craft than her image. Obviously, I don't think that overweight people are all ugly, and it was rather presumptuous of you to imply that this was my belief based on one dumb little post. Sorry for being vague.

Quote from: budgie

Quote from: BonBon85Thanks for that article, Mac. I always hate it when actresses put on a few pounds for a role and they automatically assume that they look enough like an ugly woman to gain the respect of critics. Theron's actually going all out on this one.

Are you saying that all overweight women are ugly, ...

ahh we found the source of budgies anger , she's a porker

to quote the poet rusty from  European Vacation ...

" Oink Oink My good man"

Quote from: Butterscotch Jonesahh we found the source of budgies anger , she's a porker

I don't think so. If she was, her nick would be "Pudgie", not "Budgie".

Quote from: Xixax

Quote from: Butterscotch Jonesahh we found the source of budgies anger , she's a porker

I don't think so. If she was, her nick would be "Pudgie", not "Budgie".

she strikes me as one of those girls who grows up listening to alanis and watching films like " cant hardlly wait"  , then she goes off to college, dyes her hair black and now her so called favorite film is  the Royal Tenenbaums, and now she wants us all to think that she was into joy division her whole life, ( even though she just heard of them two weeks ago) and now she thinks everyone who likes nsync are sheep, even though the only reason she likes radiohead is because everyone in her new crowd does and she wants to look with it  ( sheep anyone) and she is against the war because she saw a sticker on a stop sign , that said WAR that was placed under the word stop.

BORING..........


but i am done with this petty shit, i am about love see look  :-D

Quote from: Butterscotch Jones
she strikes me as one of those girls who grows up listening to alanis and watching films like " cant hardlly wait"  , then she goes off to college, dyes her hair black and now her so called favorite film is  the Royal Tenenbaums, and now she wants us all to think that she was into joy division her whole life, ( even though she just heard of them two weeks ago) and now she thinks everyone who likes nsync are sheep, even though the only reason she likes radiohead is because everyone in her new crowd does and she wants to look with it  ( sheep anyone) and she is against the war because she saw a sticker on a stop sign , that said WAR that was placed under the word stop.

BORING..........

You strike me as a fucking idiot.

Quote from: RegularKarate

Quote from: Butterscotch Jones
she strikes me as one of those girls who grows up listening to alanis and watching films like " cant hardlly wait"  , then she goes off to college, dyes her hair black and now her so called favorite film is  the Royal Tenenbaums, and now she wants us all to think that she was into joy division her whole life, ( even though she just heard of them two weeks ago) and now she thinks everyone who likes nsync are sheep, even though the only reason she likes radiohead is because everyone in her new crowd does and she wants to look with it  ( sheep anyone) and she is against the war because she saw a sticker on a stop sign , that said WAR that was placed under the word stop.

BORING..........

You strike me as a fucking idiot.

And you do not strike me at all, bland dull , no impression worth keeping

as far as your anger towards my post, well like the song goes " sometimes the honesty is too much"

but you can disregard the other part of that chorus where he says " sometimes when we touch" since your much too non funky to ever to come near me, physically spiritually mentally.........

Quote from: Butterscotch Jones
And you do not strike me at all, bland dull , no impression worth keeping

as far as your anger towards my post, well like the song goes " sometimes the honesty is too much"

but you can disregard the other part of that chorus where he says " sometimes when we touch" since your much too non funky to ever to come near me, physically spiritually mentally.........

Well, I don't give a shit what your wanna-be hipster ass thinks of me at all... I was actually coming back to delete the post I made because it's not really me to sink to personal attacks that quickly, but you try so hard to be cool and Budge is a genuine person.

She's intelligent and has a personality that doesn't come from a can.

You hang on to your "how to be a playa'" tapes and I'll hang with the home-grown and we'll leave our little disagreement ass-side. Ya dig?

Quote from: Butterscotch Jonesshe strikes me as one of those girls who grows up listening to alanis and watching films like " cant hardlly wait"  , then she goes off to college, dyes her hair black and now her so called favorite film is  the Royal Tenenbaums, and now she wants us all to think that she was into joy division her whole life, ( even though she just heard of them two weeks ago) and now she thinks everyone who likes nsync are sheep, even though the only reason she likes radiohead is because everyone in her new crowd does and she wants to look with it  ( sheep anyone) and she is against the war because she saw a sticker on a stop sign , that said WAR that was placed under the word stop.

BORING..........

she's probably older than u.

oh and shut up, idiot. thanksabunch.

Quote from: RegularKarate

Quote from: Butterscotch Jones
And you do not strike me at all, bland dull , no impression worth keeping



You hang on to your "how to be a playa'" tapes and I'll hang with the home-grown and we'll leave our little disagreement ass-side. Ya dig?

\

i don't think i own any how to be a playa tapes, wait :: gets all cockeyed:: are you dissing bell Bellamy , thems fighting words :: looks for lead pipe::

i do however have a tape of the works of brion gysin, as read by the cast of mammas family . Gotta love that eBay.

as far as me being a tough guy, im really not trust me, im just having fun . Irony has a way of not coming across online sometimes , maybe its because you cant see the way im saying what i am saying

now i must go I'm working on a re make of that film sommersby , staring a cast of all Asian people who stutter,  wearing M.C hammer pants.

Well, Ms. Jones, if you'd done your research then you would've known that budgie is awesome. She is refined, intelligent, funny, and a GREAT lay (I think I've developed a little crush, I have no idea where that came from). I think you've got a bone to pick cause you're jealous that she's more popular. These boards really are like high school. Budgie, wanna go to prom with me?

is butterscotch just playing or is he really an idiot?

I'm sure he's just playing, but as often is the case on message boards, that often comes across as idiocy.

Budgie does rock.

Quote from: cecil b. dementedis butterscotch just playing or is he really an idiot?

we mock what we don't understand, how else would you explain the beating i got for dressing like hamlet, when i went down to the grand ol opry, ohhh when i think of where they put that skull ..... :: cries out loud while singing " beautiful" by christina agulara::

dude, can i call you dude ??? greatness is never a easy pill to swallow, sadlly in my lifetime my work will only be loved in france, and then when i am trying to pick up chicks, i will have to tell them that i am big in "freedomslavia"

ohh its rough I'm telling yah

Quote from: GhostboyI'm sure he's just playing, but as often is the case on message boards, that often comes across as idiocy.

Budgie does rock.

if the message boards make me look bad online, you can only imagine what my Tattoo on my back of the cast of step by step does for me when im walking on the beach .

now i must get back to work , on this new dance i am creating based on the film " k 9" with jim belushi

Quote from: Butterscotch Jones[budgie] strikes me as one of those girls who grows up listening to alanis and watching films like " cant hardlly wait"  , then she goes off to college, dyes her hair black and now her so called favorite film is  the Royal Tenenbaums, and now she wants us all to think that she was into joy division her whole life, ( even though she just heard of them two weeks ago) and now she thinks everyone who likes nsync are sheep, even though the only reason she likes radiohead is because everyone in her new crowd does and she wants to look with it  ( sheep anyone) and she is against the war because she saw a sticker on a stop sign , that said WAR that was placed under the word stop.

BORING..........


but i am done with this petty shit, i am about love see look  :-D

Quote from: Butterscotch Joneswe mock what we don't understand

You obviously don't understand budgie.

alright i recommend we implement a pledgeship for newbies. what nerve, picking on veterans when ur new? if id tried that shit when i was a pledge i would have gotten my ass kicked- bows and toes on bottle caps until your bleeding.

BonBon ~ no, I'm the one to apologise, I misread you.

Thanks to RK and the others who rushed to defend my rep against blah blah blah.

And just to clear up the mystery, I'm currently 8st 11lbs.

Quote from: budgieI'm currently 8st 11lbs. (55kg)

can.....not.....compute,.,.,.....,.,.['">.][l./,[/;./

Why is Budge using the Avoirdupois scale?  Wouldn't you use metric?  I thought... nevermind.

Who uses Stone?  I thought you were telling us you lived on eighth street at first.

either way, we got your back, it's weight is insignificant (it's mass doesn't matter)

Umm, I might be remembering wrong, but wasn't Christina Ricci topless in American Beauty?

Quote from: -dazza-Umm, I might be remembering wrong, but wasn't Christina Ricci topless in American Beauty?

christina ricci wasnt in the first one -- but shes planning to show her holiest of holes in AMERICAN BEAUTY 2: Return of the cul-de-sac

Ummmm, dazza, she wasn't in American Beauty.  That was the other goddess, Thora Birch. :)

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Trailer here. (http://www.monsterfilm.com/media/trailer.html)


Newmarket Films has launched the official site for writer/director Patty Jenkins' Monster, opening in limited release on December 26 and starring Charlize Theron, Christina Ricci and Bruce Dern.

The transformed Theron stars in the shocking and moving true-life story of Aileen Wuornos, a prostitute executed last year in Florida after being convicted of murdering six men. While Wuornos confessed to the six murders, including a policeman, she claimed to have killed only in self-defense, resisting violent assaults while working as a prostitute.

juding by the poster, i can't way i want to see that scene too much now.

***POTENTIAL SPOILERS (MAYBE)***

Alright.  Just got back from a screening of the movie.  Simply: I'm mixed about it.  I'm really still trying to organize a cohesive review, but here are some initial thoughts:
- The movie has zero style.  The first 5 minutes seem thought out.  Then after that, it's just coverage and blandness.
- The two major 'romance' scenes are scored to Journey and whoever does that 'Crimson and Clover' song (don't remember who does that), which while I like those tunes, it seemed to pull me out and of it and tell me this is big romance.
- Aileen's killings are overtly justified.  So much so, that the johns basically have to announce their sins before they are killed, so you don't feel as bad about it.
- Ricci has nothing to do except sit in a hotel room.
- Theron is good... but I can't help but feel like this all some big award stunt.  This was even more obvious when she did a Q&A before the movie (which seemed kind of asinine to me-- how about after we see it?), and said that she wasn't going to any work until this came into theatres, since this is 'her baby.'  Or maybe to make us forget the other crappy movies she does every year?
- As for all the 'weight' she put on, Theron just looks like *gasp* a real woman instead of a bean pole.

I dunno, maybe I'm jaded or whatever.  But I felt no punch by the movie, never got sucked in.  It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great.  I certainly hoped for more.  It's kind of 'Boys Don't Cry'-ish... minus the sympathy.  

And there's no Ricci nudity.

Quote from: Weak2ndActI dunno, maybe I'm jaded or whatever.  But I felt no punch by the movie, never got sucked in.  It wasn't bad, but it wasn't great.  I certainly hoped for more.  It's kind of 'Boys Don't Cry'-ish... minus the sympathy.

Ebert and Roeper RAVED about it. Ebert called Theron's performance one of the best in cinema history, and said they should just give this film the Oscar. He said he was so mezmerized, he forgot to take notes at the screening.

So I was wandering through the video store and stumbled upon Nick Broomfield's doc, "Aileen: The Selling of a Serial Killer."  So, if you like Monster, or at least interested in the story (hell, if you just wanna see a good flick) I highly recommend tracking this one down.  It's a haggard story of how people sought to profit off of Wuornos' killings, and I personally found it more enthralling than 'Monster.'  I just read that a follow-up documentary is coming out soon, gonna have to see that.

But what really cracked me up about the movie was how unbelievably ugly Wournos' lover was.  I'm not laughing at the fact she was ugly, just at the fact that they spent so much time and money to make Theron 'look' the part, but just let Ricci show up as is and be cute (which was a problem I had when I saw it-- those two did not look right together).  Did director Jenkins just not care, or is this just further solidifying the case for Theron's Oscar (in the sense that it's obviously a one-woman show)?

Quote from: MacGuffin
Ebert called Theron's performance one of the best in cinema history, and said they should just give this film the Oscar.

But if she takes her top off, and ESPECIALLY if she has a lesbian sex scene, then a recommendation from Ebert is sorta a given.

Quote from: Ghostboy

Quote from: MacGuffin
Ebert called Theron's performance one of the best in cinema history, and said they should just give this film the Oscar.

But if she takes her top off, and ESPECIALLY if she has a lesbian sex scene, then a recommendation from Ebert is sorta a given.

Bound, Mulholland Dr., Femme Fatale, and now Monster.  All 4-star reviews.

well for women, nudity gives you oscars
and for men, retarded gives you oscars

Quote from: SHAFTRwell for women, nudity gives you oscars
and for men, retarded gives you oscars

Look forward to Sean Penn and Halle Berry in "Retard's Ball", the heart-felt story of one woman's journey to Alabama, her battle with racism, and her inevitable seduction of an innocent, yet wise man-child.

Quote from: RegularKarate

Quote from: SHAFTRwell for women, nudity gives you oscars
and for men, retarded gives you oscars

Look forward to Sean Penn and Halle Berry in "Retard's Ball", the heart-felt story of one woman's journey to Alabama, her battle with racism, and her inevitable seduction of an innocent, yet wise man-child.

No, it's "Retarded Slave's Ball" with Eddie Murphy and Halle Berry.

This probably makes me come off as some bigot, but I can't help but notice that Ebert is quite kind to films, that let's say, star people w/ the same ethnicity as his wife.

Quote from: Weak2ndActThis probably makes me come off as some bigot, but I can't help but notice that Ebert is quite kind to films, that let's say, star people w/ the same ethnicity as his wife.

ebert has a blackalicious wife?

i was not aware of that. this explains a lot.

http://www.criticdoctor.com/features/ebertfest2002/finalthoughts.html

Apparently, his wife is black. And to think, I always though Ebert had a thing for Siskel  :lol:

Haha!  I never would have thought that.  

He's been married to Chaz Hammelsmith Ebert since July 18, 1993.  She's also an attorney.

I could have sworn this was at least his second marriage, but my research yeilded nada.

a harsh and haunting film......
Charlize Theron WILL win the Oscar. If she does not then I will turn my back on the award ceremony FOREVER....or at least until I get nominated.
Monster DRILLS A HOLE INTO YOU AND FILLS IT WITH SO MANY DIFFERENT EMOTIONS....
this movie seriously toyed with mine and BOAT LOADS of the credit goes to Charlize. She is simply (but so largely) AMAZING.
Sorry to sound a little too James Liptonish but her performance literally gave me efed up dreams

Are you Roger Ebert or something?

whatever, call me roger ebert, but i thought this movie was astounding.  just came back from it so my feelings are all kinda jumbled up.  all of them positive i think.  theron most likely will win the oscar, and she does a fine job.  saying that she gives one of the best preformances of cinema history, though, is absurd.  ricci is good as well.  this film also contains one of the strangest love stories ive ever seen...

Quote from: Weak2ndActAre you Roger Ebert or something?

yes I am

Quote from: poserisms

Quote from: Weak2ndActAre you Roger Ebert or something?

yes I am

what were you doing in my china cabinet last night? no need to explain the abrupt exit. do you even realize the amount of china and my life that you have displaced?

just saw this... terrible film imo....
as someone said there was no style at all cept for the opening scene... worse, it had aboslutely TERRIBLE pacing... ii also had some problems with the script. christina ricci cant act... and charlize theron did nothing spectacular for me...definitely an overrated performance... she does not deserve to win an oscar for this but there is a good chance she will i guess

Roger Ebert totally nails what Ricci's preformance is

Quote from: Roger EbertChristina Ricci finds the correct note for Selby Wall -- so correct some critics have mistaken it for bad acting, when in fact it is sublime acting in its portrayal of a bad actor. She plays Selby as clueless, dim, in over her head, picking up cues from moment to moment, cobbling her behavior out of notions borrowed from bad movies, old songs, and barroom romances. Selby must have walked into a gay bar for the first time only a few weeks ago, and studied desperately to figure out how to present herself. Selby and Aileen are often trying to improvise the next line they think the other wants to hear.

Oh, and just curious, what gives a film style?  and how does this film not have it?

Quote from: Sanjurojust saw this... terrible film imo....
as someone said there was no style at all cept for the opening scene... worse, it had aboslutely TERRIBLE pacing... ii also had some problems with the script. christina ricci cant act... and charlize theron did nothing spectacular for me...definitely an overrated performance... she does not deserve to win an oscar for this but there is a good chance she will i guess

your damn right she will

I dunno what movie the naysayers saw, but this film was brilliant. Theron deserves every award and accolade she receives. I did not see her acting at all; she was this character, became it. I dunno what kind of style was wanted, but I thought flashy editing and cinematography weren't necessary. It was perfect to just let the screenplay and actors tell the story, and the pacing was spot on. It was a extraordinary character study. Highly recommended.

i dont know but for me the pacing was off... one minute they dont know each other, the next their kissing, then they run off together just like that... it seemed non fluid whatsoever but i dont know if this was what the director intended... it seemed very amateurish to me

i love charlize theron  and was looking forward to this new role of hers, and i must say its her best performance ever, but i really dont think its anything great.and it was like charlize was acting behind a mask the whole time, very little facial expreession,  though her body expressions were good. best female performance ive seen this year is naomi watts and she deserves an oscar for that.
as for christina, all she had to do was act innocent and try to fit in.   the major emotional parts of the movie she really couldnt do well. i guess she did her job ok for the rest but pretty much, her performace also comes from the way she was dressed and made to look in the film.

i guess it was the way the movie was directed that irritated me the most.  it seemed to jump from one place to another, trying to be emotionally staggering, but falied in its execution of doing so.  it relied so much on power that was not there.

this couldve been better in the hands of a better director

Quote from: Sanjuroi dont know but for me the pacing was off... one minute they dont know each other, the next their kissing, then they run off together just like that... it seemed non fluid whatsoever but i dont know if this was what the director intended... it seemed very amateurish to me

How much more did you want?

*MINOR SPOILERS*

It was set up that Aileen was a loner, she even said she was about to commit suicide until Selby came to her. The opening montage layed out what her life was like as a child, trying to fit in and be accepted and 'hooking' was the only way to do that because, as mentioned, they were paying to be with her. Her only friend was the Bruce Dern character, and even with him she offers to blow him as thanks for a favor. Aileen and Selby made a connection at the bar and Aileen felt 'accepted' when she was invited back to Selby's place. She was told she was beautiful, which I highly doubt she was ever told in her life. They went out on a "date" at the roller rink, Aileen even going the extra mile to look her best for it. When they do consumate their relationship, Selby asks her, "I thought you weren't into girls." Aileen tells her she she's never really been into anyone, and that's because no one ever has been into her.

i see your point on that

Well either way, I saw a clip of Theron acting and it seemed like terrible overacting....granted, i haven't seen the actual movie.

I still think Naomi Watts or Scarlett Johannson deserve the Oscar

Quote from: Chest RockwellWell either way, I saw a clip of Theron acting and it seemed like terrible overacting....granted, i haven't seen the actual movie.

I still think Naomi Watts or Scarlett Johannson deserve the Oscar

nay.

Quote from: Pedro the Wombat

Quote from: Chest RockwellWell either way, I saw a clip of Theron acting and it seemed like terrible overacting....granted, i haven't seen the actual movie.

I still think Naomi Watts or Scarlett Johannson deserve the Oscar

nay.

Sucks to your ass-mar.

*MINOR SPOILER*
someone here earlier seemed to complain to a moment of the film being scored to journey.  wow, i really disagreed with this.  i think the moment of ricci and theron kissing right as that buildup finishes in "don't stop believin'" was one of the best movie moments ive seen in a long time (no sarcasm).

the crimson and clover moment was a little too soft pornish, but hey, i got used to it after about 20 seconds.

Quote from: Pedro the Wombatsomeone here earlier seemed to complain to a moment of the film being scored to journey.

That was me.  I just found it incredibly insulting that the only two pop songs used in the movie were used to sell the 'romance' scenes.  I felt Jenkins did not earn the emotions she was trying to elicit, so she forced them on us with music (and I can't even begin to describe my feelings about the utter insanity of playing that music again over the end credits, only moments after Eileen's tirade in court).  But what I do know?  I thought the movie was a mess, top to bottom.

So I just came from this and I liked it quite a bit.  Charlize Theron was very good, I spent the first 30 minutes of the film and 30 minutes after the film saying, "that's charlize theron? from fuckin' Reindeer Games?"  The key thing to remember is that after the first 30 minutes I forgot it was her and she really became that character.  Either her or Watts deserve the oscar.  I think Ricci's performance is being discounted though, I thought she was just as good.  I found no problems with the pacing or the "style".  Sometimes I don't want to notice the style of a film.  OFten the "style" of the film distracts from the story itself.  As for the use of music, I agree it was a bit forced.  The part that kind of upset me was when she snaps the 2nd time the music builds up to emphasize that.  The performances were amazing, the music isn't needed to underscore it (or in this case overscore).

Christina Ricci's performance is overshadowed by Charlize Theron's more dramatic transformation, but she was nonetheless very good.  Selby is insecure and unsure of herself and the scene in which this is displayed most obviously is when she goes to the bar by herself and tells the women at the bar Aileen's story about telling off the lawyer.  It goes by quickly but it is revealing of her personality.

The style was about what I expected for this type of film, i.e., a lot of handheld shots and unobtrusive cinematography and editing.  I found that the use of the "small town girl" song was too on-the-nose.

people complaining about lack of style should go start a michael bay worship thread or something.

This movie was astounding.

"One of the best performances in cinema history"? A premature statement to say the least. But I can't think of a better one this year (and there were a few other great ones).

As far as pacing goes, I thought it was perfect. What did you want? A sereal killer thriller pacing? This is a character piece based on a true story. It's gonna be somewhat episodic.

In short: Raw, brutal, brilliant.

http://www.xixax.com/viewtopic.php?t=5319

mod-age, did you see this movie?

no, i was just responding to the bay bit.

I finally saw it this evening, and it's mostly good. I'd say Theron definitely deserves the Oscar. Her performance was heartbreaking (sometimes you could see her natural beauty just pushing the limits of the makeup, but that actually worked to the benefit of the character), and it saves the movie from what I thought was an uneven execution. I agree with Sanjuro that the pacing was off, and I also think that Ricci wasn't quite right for the part. I never believed her as that character, someone that naive -- I appreciated the gestures that suggested Selby was improvising her way through things, but I still think the role would have been better filled by someone else. I didn't have a problem with the directing -- simplicity was the right approach for this kind of movie -- but the writing never reached the depths I wanted it to.

Obviously, though, it's worth seeing. It clearly works for some people, extremely well in some cases, and I can't imagine not being moved by Theron's performance. It must have been quite a relief to let that character go after shooting the film.

oh, okay. Well... go start a McG worship thread then...

Those of you who had problems with the pacing, could you please elaborate?

What did you think of Charlize Theron's accent?  To me it was pretty good, though I don't have a frame of reference for it.  Sometimes I find that non-Americans doing American accents don't succeed.  I watched The Devil's Advocate a few days ago and her accent came on and off.

Quote from: GhostboyI finally saw it this evening, and it's mostly good. I'd say Theron definitely deserves the Oscar. Her performance was heartbreaking (sometimes you could see her natural beauty just pushing the limits of the makeup, but that actually worked to the benefit of the character), and it saves the movie from what I thought was an uneven execution. I agree with Sanjuro that the pacing was off, and I also think that Ricci wasn't quite right for the part. I never believed her as that character, someone that naive -- I appreciated the gestures that suggested Selby was improvising her way through things, but I still think the role would have been better filled by someone else. I didn't have a problem with the directing -- simplicity was the right approach for this kind of movie -- but the writing never reached the depths I wanted it to.

Obviously, though, it's worth seeing. It clearly works for some people, extremely well in some cases, and I can't imagine not being moved by Theron's performance. It must have been quite a relief to let that character go after shooting the film.

I think this is the first time I slightly disagree with you.
I also don't understand why people keep mentioning the pacing. Can you explain the pacing you were looking for. Did you think it was too slow or quick?
also, I thought Ricci was a perfect choice and that she did a really nice job with that character. Everything was crazy and chaotic at the time so I felt she played the naiveness very well.

I just saw this today and it was pretty good.
Theron deserves to at least be NOMINATED for the oscar.  I don't know if she deserves to win.

I agree about the Journey song scene being great.  one of the best kissing scenes in a LOOOOOOOONG time

the movie kind of slowed towards the middle and basically fizzled out toward the end, but I still really enjoyed it.

I've finally had to admit that Ricci isn't really that great of an actress (as much as I LOVED the scenes with her in a T-shirt).  She really wasn't that good in this.

anyway, nothing fantastic overall, but definitly glad I saw it.

Quote from: poserismsI think this is the first time I slightly disagree with you.
I also don't understand why people keep mentioning the pacing. Can you explain the pacing you were looking for. Did you think it was too slow or quick?

Overall, I'd say it moves too quickly and then slows down for big dramatic scenes. It felt to me like there are big chunks missing. This was most exemplified in the scene where they go to the amusement park, which fluctuates between being a scene of romantic bonding (being with Selby on the ferris wheel), personal growth (getting on the ferris wheel, the titular monster, in the first place) and painful separation (Selby running off to hang out with the other lesbians) -- all very important points for the film to hit, but all crammed awkwardly into one scene.

Quote from: RaviThose of you who had problems with the pacing, could you please elaborate?

It's just that for me the pacing seemed  off.  i know its based on a true story and so it should be episodic, but some transition into it would be nice.  it felt like each scene did not connect to the other scenes
. i didnt think it was establishing anything, jst showing these bits of parts which didnt seem to play well into the whole picture and which i was forced to just take for face value.  

and moreover as i said before there was something non fluid about it.  the picture didnt seem to flow.  it was offbeat  in an irritating way (unlike godards offbeat where from this he creates pacing and storytelling) and very jumpy that it really does affect the story.  the story turned out so unclear to me.  i was being spoon fed these bits of performances by theron and ricci which i couldnt even get into from the start.  so much gaps could have been filled in with better pacing imo and this in turn would have added to a more solid storytelling style (this is where my problem with style comes in i guess).  

i guess it works for some people though.  

honestly i really thought it was a great idea, great story to be told, but everything seemed to be hindered by its pacing, from Theron's performance to the whole story itself.

Quote from: Ghostboy

Quote from: poserismsI think this is the first time I slightly disagree with you.
I also don't understand why people keep mentioning the pacing. Can you explain the pacing you were looking for. Did you think it was too slow or quick?

Overall, I'd say it moves too quickly and then slows down for big dramatic scenes. It felt to me like there are big chunks missing. This was most exemplified in the scene where they go to the amusement park, which fluctuates between being a scene of romantic bonding (being with Selby on the ferris wheel), personal growth (getting on the ferris wheel, the titular monster, in the first place) and painful separation (Selby running off to hang out with the other lesbians) -- all very important points for the film to hit, but all crammed awkwardly into one scene.

Good point.  I didn't find it to be a big problem, but the amusement park scene was an odd fit.  I expected Selby's embarassment (for lack of a better word) about Aileen to be more of a factor in the film, but it is left solely in that scene.

Quote from: Ghostboy

Quote from: poserismsI think this is the first time I slightly disagree with you.
I also don't understand why people keep mentioning the pacing. Can you explain the pacing you were looking for. Did you think it was too slow or quick?

Overall, I'd say it moves too quickly and then slows down for big dramatic scenes. It felt to me like there are big chunks missing. This was most exemplified in the scene where they go to the amusement park, which fluctuates between being a scene of romantic bonding (being with Selby on the ferris wheel), personal growth (getting on the ferris wheel, the titular monster, in the first place) and painful separation (Selby running off to hang out with the other lesbians) -- all very important points for the film to hit, but all crammed awkwardly into one scene.

see, but I think that example worked really well in the movie. after reading what you wrote, I thought back to that amusement park scene and remember that I was really feeling for these two characters in these moments. I think the cramming worked because I remember feeling happy for them finding happiness in eachother one moment and the next feeling that painful seperation when she ventures off with the other lesbos. I thought it was a nice way to demonstrate those moments, but also, I think stuff really does happen quickly like that in a relationship.  
I really didn't think about the pacing at all after watching this film. I was so wraped up in the characters and felt the story was moving along fine, keeping me into it the whole time.

I have to know what mr. goldy thinks about this movie.

i really have a feeling he'll dislike it.

Quote from: Pedro the WombatI have to know what mr. goldy thinks about this movie.

i really have a feeling he'll dislike it.

Everyone insults his opinions yet everyone looks forward to them...makes me laugh.  Often I disagree with GT, but he backs up his points.  One reason he is one of my fav xixaxers.  Been a lot less GT than normal around here.

Quote from: SHAFTR

Quote from: Pedro the WombatI have to know what mr. goldy thinks about this movie.

i really have a feeling he'll dislike it.

Everyone insults his opinions yet everyone looks forward to them...makes me laugh.  Often I disagree with GT, but he backs up his points.  One reason he is one of my fav xixaxers.  Been a lot less GT than normal around here.

word.

As I watched this film, I kept thinking of Monster's Ball. That film had a heartbreaking story with excellent performances, but a story structure not up to the same temperature level as the themes and performances. As good as Halley Berry's performance was (and I thought it was excellent), her portrait was limited enough in screen time to disallow her from transforming the film into its whole being an appreciation for one performance. Its focus was more on Thorton and though Thorton is capable, his character seemed to stare off into space as much as he would deal with his issues and problems. Charlize Theron's performance is one of the best of the year and she does transform Monster. She's in the film so much that I thought it was living for her. Ricci does fine for her role, but dramatically its a fillibuster role to give the film some convential shape. The greatness in the film is just watching Theron's performance of near perfection and not being interrupted too much by everything dangling from that role.

So, GT, did you not like anything about the story? Or how Jenkins gives us a surprisingly sympathetic look at Wuornos?

Quote from: CinephileSo, GT, did you not like anything about the story? Or how Jenkins gives us a surprisingly sympathetic look at Wuornos?

its like, "unfortunately Jenkins thought she was making a horror movie."  chicks, when will they learn?   :roll:

I'm glad that two of the very best films of the year were made by female directors.

why?  and was this one?  sofia coppola is/has been the only exception i have come across to the rule.

Quote from: themodernage02why?

Um, because there isn't enough female directors?

Quote from: themodernage02and was this one?

Yep.

Quote from: CinephileSo, GT, did you not like anything about the story? Or how Jenkins gives us a surprisingly sympathetic look at Wuornos?

I just thought the story was straight forward and the obvious avenues that could tell the story were taken. Its not that I really disliked it, but it obviously in my mind didn't match the intensity Charlize Theron delivered. I thought she was most worth commenting on than anything in the movie.

Quote from: CinephileI'm glad that two of the very best films of the year were made by female directors.

also American Splendor was co-directed by a female...so perhaps 3 of the better films of the year.

Quote from: SHAFTR

Quote from: CinephileI'm glad that two of the very best films of the year were made by female directors.

also American Splendor was co-directed by a female...so perhaps 3 of the better films of the year.

and van sant is queer, so that's another 2 great movies for the ladies.

Quote from: P

Quote from: SHAFTR

Quote from: CinephileI'm glad that two of the very best films of the year were made by female directors.

also American Splendor was co-directed by a female...so perhaps 3 of the better films of the year.

and van sant is queer, so that's another 2 great movies for the ladies.

:lol:

Quote from: RegularKarate

Quote from: SHAFTRwell for women, nudity gives you oscars
and for men, retarded gives you oscars

Look forward to Sean Penn and Halle Berry in "Retard's Ball", the heart-felt story of one woman's journey to Alabama, her battle with racism, and her inevitable seduction of an innocent, yet wise man-child.

Man, you guys were on the ball that day. I've been laughing for 20 minutes.

Still laughing.

I just saw this Saturday, and I thought it was quite overrated. I thought it dragged on and Charlize Theron's acting was inconsistent: good at parts to the point where it seemed she became the character (which I'm sure is due mostly to the physical change) and then other parts where she overacted terribly. Ricci was OK, not great or bad. But what I guess is most important is that I thought that as a whole the film was lacking a certain something and I couldn't connect with it. It just didn't work for me, though I'll admit it was better than I thought it'd be; it was maybe good, but it didn't leave me amazed even in a humongous theater. And does anybody realize this film is getting any hype because Theron became ugly for it? How lame. Maybe I'm just bitter over the fact Scarlett wasn't nominated for anything.

No, you're right.  Uglified hookers and compassionate retards are usually shoe-ins for Oscar nominations.  I haven't been able to see this yet, so I still can't judge.  I'm just noticing a trend.  It left my local arthouse the day before I planned to go, so now if I wanna see it, I'll have to drive a while.  We'll see.

Well, Monster came back to the local arthouse, so I got to see it this afternoon.  It's an overrated film with an overrated performance.  Imagine, for a minute, if Charlize didn't alter her appearance.  We'd have an average performance of a woman in a downward spiral.  Nothing we haven't seen before.

I kept thinking of Boys Don't Cry when I was watching this film.  And Boys Don't Cry sucked for the same reason as this did: a lack of sympathetic characters.  Now, I was with Aileen for awhile.  She didn't have any choice for the longest time, and her station in life sucked.  The first murder was totally justified, though she would have a hard time being found innocent in a trial only because of juries natural prejudices against lower-class people.

Docudramas are hard because of the fact that sometimes it is necessary to portray unsympathetic characters in a sympathetic light.  At one point, Aileen is thinking of killing a john, yet he stutters, seems a bit slow, and we feel for him, and for Aileen, and we see a bit of a change, a show of heart in her.  She spares his life.  Ah, the noble hooker.  But later on, she goes out seeking men who mean her no ill will, and just want a fuck.  Regardless of how you feel about prostitution, the johns or the hookers, she wasn't justified in any of the latter killings, and the attempts of the director to insinuate that because of her past, it's okay that she does this is just unfortunate.  And then finally, her character loses all redeemability when she kills the man who was trying to help her.  I kinda just lost all interest after that, though it was heartbreaking seeing Selby turn on her.  The whole story was tragic in that Boys Don't Cry way, but the situation could have been avoided had these characters made better choices even in light of their harsh circumstances.

My favorite part of the film was the rollerskating scene.  Here we see these two characters personalities come out, and we actually care for them.  The Journey song was a nice touch, and not really all that out of place, and the love scenes between the two were nice, though they couldn't save the movie.  **½ (6/10)

I think the rollerskating scene is actually my least favorite scene in the movie. I think if it had been exactly the same, though, only without the Journey song, it would have been my favorite. I would have loved to see the momentum of the two characters, both emotionally and physically, with only the sounds of the rollerskating rink accompanying them. It would have lacked the visceral thrill that the song provides, but in its place there would be this unpredictable and raw sense of desperate attraction that would climax in the equally quiet shot of them making out behind the building.

I know that's not what Patty Jenkins was going for, though, but I don't think that scene has the depth that it could have had either.

Quote from: GhostboyI think the rollerskating scene is actually my least favorite scene in the movie. I think if it had been exactly the same, though, only without the Journey song, it would have been my favorite. I would have loved to see the momentum of the two characters, both emotionally and physically, with only the sounds of the rollerskating rink accompanying them. It would have lacked the visceral thrill that the song provides, but in its place there would be this unpredictable and raw sense of desperate attraction that would climax in the equally quiet shot of them making out behind the building.

I know that's not what Patty Jenkins was going for, though, but I don't think that scene has the depth that it could have had either.

Well I don't know if I'm alone here, but this film wasn't really anything amazing for me. The director failed to reach any of my emotions, and Theron's performance seemed so lauded simply because she became ugly for it. It was a good movie, sure, but you can bet I'll never see it again unless forced or invited to see it with friends. But I liked the rollerskating scene; that one scene nearly reached me.

Quote from: GhostboyI think the rollerskating scene is actually my least favorite scene in the movie. I think if it had been exactly the same, though, only without the Journey song, it would have been my favorite. I would have loved to see the momentum of the two characters, both emotionally and physically, with only the sounds of the rollerskating rink accompanying them. It would have lacked the visceral thrill that the song provides, but in its place there would be this unpredictable and raw sense of desperate attraction that would climax in the equally quiet shot of them making out behind the building.

though technically you're correct with this...it would've been great that way.  fuck off, because that song rocks.

enough said.

Quote from: OnomatopoeiaImagine, for a minute, if Charlize didn't alter her appearance.  We'd have an average performance of a woman in a downward spiral.

Acting is more than make-up and Theron uses her eyes, her body language and speech to complete her 'transformation'. I just saw the character in her performance, not the prosthetics.

I didnt see this movie yet but they both look horrible in the pictures... I hate when they get a beatiful acctress and put enough makeup to make her horrible so then she wins an Oscar...

Hmm... Nicole Kidman... Halle Berry... damn

where is that pic of Christina naked?

Quote from: MacGuffin

Quote from: OnomatopoeiaImagine, for a minute, if Charlize didn't alter her appearance.  We'd have an average performance of a woman in a downward spiral.

Acting is more than make-up and Theron uses her eyes, her body language and speech to complete her 'transformation'. I just saw the character in her performance, not the prosthetics.

I agree with this. I also can't countenance Ono's insistence on "likeable" characters- that criteria has always seemed much too subjective for me to be relevant to a proper analysis of a film, and I've had many an argument with friends/fellow film-lovers about this. The whole point of the film is that this person was sympathetic, whether or not she was "likeable." I've actually come to loathe the word "likeable." It's represented in the film by the people who are most callow towards Aileen when she's trying her hardest to be "likeable" (and failing): They can't or refuse to see a human being there. Though the films may be dissimilar in more ways than they match up, Boys Don't Cry presented the same thing: A person who is treated as less than human for failing to fit some very arbitrary, very preconceived and small-minded view of what a human being is and what their worth is based on. I guess some audience members are just complicit in this; they share the view that the filmmakers are trying to reveal as untenable, inhumane, and irrelevant, so of course they don't like the film.

I'm not saying that the film is great, but it is definitely worthwhile, and MacG is right about the performance. The kind of perception that says it was all just the makeup is the same perception that let that goddamn prosthetic nose supercede in their minds Kidman's wonderful performance, makeup or no, in The Hours.

Yes, Monster is an unpleasant story about some often unpleasant people. No, it is not a perfect film. But it is a good and promising film, and the only real complaint about Theron's performance that holds any water with me is that it's so incredibly good, it dwarfs the film around it and the other actors, which are not good to the same degree her portrayal of this human "monster" is.

P.S. I'm also getting very sick of this completely unfounded assumption that the Oscars like "beautiful women to get ugly" and base awards around that. That has happened so fucking rarely that it's a laughable complaint. If you have some personal issue, only to do with your own notions, with hot ladies not playing up their hotness because they're not playing sexier-than-average people (it's called "acting," everyone!), it's incredibly false to project that onto all of showbiz, a place where there is absolutely no proof that physical beauty is ever really held against you. I'm sure there are plenty of fine actresses who looked like Aileen without makeup, yet Charlize Theron got the part (and did an astounding job with it). Point is, no matter how talented or not you are, or how "ugly" the ROLE is, you have to be much more good-looking than average to even get your foot in the door of an audition. I've just about had it with people overreacting, apparently resenting an actress for not looking hot enough for their fantasy-wish-fulfillment projections onto cinema, which is something cinema is hardly there to serve.

I also wonder whether anyone read the EW cover story with Theron, Watts, and Connelly, where the former two complained bitterly about people saying to them, "You're so brave for looking so ugly! [in Monster and 21 Grams" They were completely insulted that they'd ripped themselves to shreds mentally and emotionally to get to the places these characters are at, really traumatized themselves at some points, really stuck their necks out to play these roles, and all fucking shallow pundits can focus on is how they look, one tool of many in shaping their performances?? Some serious re-assessment of the way we see actors/performances seems in order, if this is what it's come to. You can see beautiful Theron and beautiful Watts in magazines and on TV on an almost daily basis- they are beautiful. But though their beauty may have helped them realize their vocation, it is not their vocation. It's not acting.

'Monster' Movie Sets Off Debate Over Accuracy

Yet another based-on-fact movie has touched off a firestorm of debate over its accuracy in advance of the Academy Awards. ABC's 20/20 on Friday maintained that there is no evidence that serial killer Aileen Wuornos was ever attacked by any of her victims, as depicted in the movie Monster, and that it in fact defames those who died at her hand. Interviewed by 20/20 co-host John Stossel, family members of Wuornos's victims denounced the film. Mike Humphreys, whose father was robbed and killed by Wuornos, commented: "I don't think that [the filmmakers] ought to do this to the victims out there." Letha Prater, the sister of another of Wuornos's targets, remarked: "This movie is portraying her as a victim. She isn't. She was not a victim. My brother was a victim." The film was also condemned by the Florida state attorney who prosecuted Wuornos and who said he was never consulted by the filmmakers. John Tanner called their depiction of what occurred "a total lie." In response, film producer Brad Wyman did not defend the accuracy of the film, telling Stossel, "It's not a documentary. ... It is a dramatic portrayal searching for a greater truth than a factual truth."

Quote from: MacGuffin'Monster' Movie Sets Off Debate Over Accuracy

Yet another based-on-fact movie has touched off a firestorm of debate over its accuracy in advance of the Academy Awards. ABC's 20/20 on Friday maintained that there is no evidence that serial killer Aileen Wuornos was ever attacked by any of her victims, as depicted in the movie Monster, and that it in fact defames those who died at her hand. Interviewed by 20/20 co-host John Stossel, family members of Wuornos's victims denounced the film. Mike Humphreys, whose father was robbed and killed by Wuornos, commented: "I don't think that [the filmmakers] ought to do this to the victims out there." Letha Prater, the sister of another of Wuornos's targets, remarked: "This movie is portraying her as a victim. She isn't. She was not a victim. My brother was a victim." The film was also condemned by the Florida state attorney who prosecuted Wuornos and who said he was never consulted by the filmmakers. John Tanner called their depiction of what occurred "a total lie." In response, film producer Brad Wyman did not defend the accuracy of the film, telling Stossel, "It's not a documentary. ... It is a dramatic portrayal searching for a greater truth than a factual truth."

People need to grow up. The whole purpose of the movie was to make Wuornos "sympathetic." Just think of how much more it would have sucked if each of her victims came off as a saint-who-picks-up-hookers.

hm. i liked both main characters and found the film to be quite romantic. oh well. crimson and clover. over and over

but seriously, those BJs must've hurt. Did you see that bitches teeth?

If this has already been written in this post, forgive me, for the search would be clumsy and difficult.  But did anyone else notice how she moved her lips and mouth?  If anyone has worn false teeth before as a joke or whatever, you know what i'm talking about.  You're constantly closing your lips together and it just looks weird and bulging.  Anyone else notice that shit?

aw

Okay it's official: the bitching about Monster is annoying now. Get over it.

I finally got to see this movie. It just came to theaters where I live (more than likely only because it's now an Academy Award Winner). Theron's performance is great and the storytelling is really strong as well. But I thought it was yet another example of art imitating the dark side and I couldn't help but wonder what was the point of the whole movie. Overall I'd say, really good movie but a great performance.

Theron in emotional meeting with Mandela

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa -- Oscar-winner Charlize Theron was reduced to tears Thursday when former President Nelson Mandela praised her for putting South Africa on the map. "I love you so much," the actress said during an emotional meeting at the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg. Theron, who won a best-actress Oscar for her portrayal of serial killer Aileen Wuornos in "Monster," grew up in the small South African town of Benoni. Wearing a simple white dress with her hair pulled back in a ponytail, she told Mandela he was an inspiration to her and many others. Mandela returned the compliment. "She has put South Africa on the map," he told reporters. "Even those who were ignorant of South Africa, having seen her, they must know now that there is a country like South Africa."
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Charlize Theron to Star in Class Action
Source: Variety

Variety reports that Charlize Theron will star for Whale Rider director Niki Caro in Class Action, a drama Warner Bros. and Industry Entertainment are developing for a winter start. Written by Michael Seitzman, Class Action is a fictionalized version of the Jensen v. Eveleth Mines case.

Theron will play Josie Aimes, a young mother who flees an abusive husband during the early '70s, heads home to her Minnesota hometown and becomes one of the first women to get jobs in the iron mine that employs most residents, including her father. She and her female co-workers are verbally and physically harassed by their male co-workers. The mine owners turn a deaf ear to their complaints and the women are terrified to lose their jobs. Though she risks being ostracized by her family, Aimes become a Norma Rae-like figure in mobilizing defiance through legal action.

Pending a deal, Theron would make the movie after completing Aeon Flux, the Karyn Kusama-directed futuristic drama being mounted in Berlin this July. Theron will undergo three months of acrobatic training to prepare for the role of a superhuman assassin who has been programmed to kill a political leader.

Quote from: godardianI'm sure there are plenty of fine actresses who looked like Aileen without makeup, yet Charlize Theron got the part (and did an astounding job with it). Point is, no matter how talented or not you are, or how "ugly" the ROLE is, you have to be much more good-looking than average to even get your foot in the door of an audition.

This is actually my biggest problem with the movie. I think choosing Theron was pretty pointless. My suspicion is that she was chosen only because she's so recognizable and so unlike Aileen. This movie wouldn't be seen had it not been for her transformation.

Quote from: godardianthe only real complaint about Theron's performance that holds any water with me is that it's so incredibly good, it dwarfs the film around it and the other actors, which are not good to the same degree her portrayal of this human "monster" is.

I actually thought Christina Ricci had the best performance of the movie.

The story is great and everything, and it's not a bad movie, but Theron is just...so...distracting. It's not just her physical artificiality, it's her exaggerated and almost parodic acting (at times). The moments that do work, I think, are the more emotional scenes when she reaches for humanity but the mask gets in her way.

In every other moment of the movie, I just see something totally obnoxious in her... It may be convincing, but it's still a cartoon.

I've always said the same thing, Blackman, so I agree. Whenever I say it, though, I'm constantly shouted down. Go figure.

Quote from: Jeremy Blackman

Quote from: godardianI'm sure there are plenty of fine actresses who looked like Aileen without makeup, yet Charlize Theron got the part (and did an astounding job with it). Point is, no matter how talented or not you are, or how "ugly" the ROLE is, you have to be much more good-looking than average to even get your foot in the door of an audition.

This is actually my biggest problem with the movie. I think choosing Theron was pretty pointless. My suspicion is that she was chosen only because she's so recognizable and so unlike Aileen. This movie wouldn't be seen had it not been for her transformation.

Quote from: godardianthe only real complaint about Theron's performance that holds any water with me is that it's so incredibly good, it dwarfs the film around it and the other actors, which are not good to the same degree her portrayal of this human "monster" is.

I actually thought Christina Ricci had the best performance of the movie.

The story is great and everything, and it's not a bad movie, but Theron is just...so...distracting. It's not just her physical artificiality, it's her exaggerated and almost parodic acting (at times). The moments that do work, I think, are the more emotional scenes when she reaches for humanity but the mask gets in her way.

In every other moment of the movie, I just see something totally obnoxious in her... It may be convincing, but it's still a cartoon.

The fact still remains, though, that she nailed this person. I mean, we're clearly talking about a character that was exaggerated in life. She was so "cartoonish" that people wouldn't consider her for a job. It seems that some of the faults you find are with the character, not with the performance. I didn't find anything "exaggerated" or "parodic" that I haven't seen in actual true-life mentally unstable persons, so... I don't think choosing Theron was "pointless," because I do think it was a fine performance. I also think that Theron got the job because she has the looks and some of the celebrity it takes to be in that tiny pool of actors who would ever be considered for any role at all. Her smarts and acting abilities- both of which are abundantly clear to me- are just fortunate, in this scenario. She probably would've gotten the role either way. We can honestly say that there are almost certainly equally fine actresses who physically resemble Aileen more closely, but that shouldn't diminish the great job Theron did. The insane physical standards of Hollywood- even to play someone "ugly"- are the fault of casting agents and producers, not Theron.

Quote from: Chest RockwellI've always said the same thing, Blackman, so I agree. Whenever I say it, though, I'm constantly shouted down. Go figure.

"Get up! Stand up!"
-Bob Marley

"Shout! Shout! Let it all out"
-Tears for Fears

"We're not going to take it! No! We ain't going to take it- anymore!"
-Twisted Sister

Quote from: godardianI mean, we're clearly talking about a character that was exaggerated in life. She was so "cartoonish" that people wouldn't consider her for a job. It seems that some of the faults you find are with the character, not with the performance.

You're probably right. But is that really a good excuse? Doesn't it just shift the blame to the screenwriter or something? Or the act of choosing the story? Or the choice of the context, tone, etc. for the story?

Quote from: godardianI also think that Theron got the job because she has the looks and some of the celebrity it takes to be in that tiny pool of actors who would ever be considered for any role at all.

I don't think that's it at all, especially for a small movie like this. I think she was chosen for how extreme the transformation would have to be... which just seems so disgustingly political to me.

Quote from: godardianWe can honestly say that there are almost certainly equally fine actresses who physically resemble Aileen more closely, but that shouldn't diminish the great job Theron did. The insane physical standards of Hollywood- even to play someone "ugly"- are the fault of casting agents and producers, not Theron.

And I guess I'm not really blaming Theron for that. I just don't see the performance as something unique to her, and I see her stretching uncomfortably for this role, not really having experience as a versatile actor. I doubt the act of choosing Theron was motivated by her ability to play the role. That's where I'm feeling pointlessness.

But do you disagree that Ricci was great?

I don't know at what point Theron came on as a producer of the film, but I wouldn't be surprised if she read the script before it had any money behind it and spearheaded the project as a.) a means to prove her versatility and talent as an actress and b.) because she probably did care about the story. But that's just a guess.

I think the screenplay had lots of problems, but found Theron flawless. But I disliked Ricci in it, so there you go.

Theron's performance was one of the best I've seen in a while.  So what if it is better than the movie as a whole?  Would you like it better if her acting was a little worse?  As long as the performance was good, what does it matter whether or not she was chosen for the transformation factor?

I haven't seen the film yet; but in Theron's defense (if it can be called that), didn't she, as a teen witness her mother murder her abusive father?  I remember reading that somehwere.  Maybe this helped her emotionally with the character, trying to sympathize with her mother, or rather, just letting that emotion and rage that she had out into the performance.  This may justify her choosing or being chosen for this role.

Then again, her mother was at the Independent Spirit Awards, so I may have read a bogus article.

No, you're right, that did happen, although it wasn't murder -- she shot him in self defense.

Just saw it but first...

Quote from: a few pages back MacGuffin

Quote from: Sanjuroi dont know but for me the pacing was off... one minute they dont know each other, the next their kissing, then they run off together just like that... it seemed non fluid whatsoever but i dont know if this was what the director intended... it seemed very amateurish to me

How much more did you want?

*MINOR SPOILERS*

It was set up that Aileen was a loner, she even said she was about to commit suicide until Selby came to her. The opening montage layed out what her life was like as a child, trying to fit in and be accepted and 'hooking' was the only way to do that because, as mentioned, they were paying to be with her. Her only friend was the Bruce Dern character, and even with him she offers to blow him as thanks for a favor. Aileen and Selby made a connection at the bar and Aileen felt 'accepted' when she was invited back to Selby's place. She was told she was beautiful, which I highly doubt she was ever told in her life. They went out on a "date" at the roller rink, Aileen even going the extra mile to look her best for it. When they do consumate their relationship, Selby asks her, "I thought you weren't into girls." Aileen tells her she she's never really been into anyone, and that's because no one ever has been into her.

Mac's answer is exactly why I absolutely loved the film, that scene in particular really moved me. For me the film is about how a person can be transformed by his/her experinces in life, in this case (just take that the film is accurate, although some claim is not, but that's another story) Aileen Wuornos was raped when she was only eight years old, then her family threw her out at 13 because she was a prostitute, then she had the life she had and I don't think anybody that has live that can imagine how horrible is to do that for living or just to survive for that matter, of course you cannnot justify what she did but given the circumstances I couldn't help but feel really sad through out all the film with the exception of the roller skating scene, which made me happy for her, in the end (IMO), she became what she became because of her horrible life.

Quote from: Pedro the Wombat*MINOR SPOILER*
someone here earlier seemed to complain to a moment of the film being scored to journey.  wow, i really disagreed with this.  i think the moment of ricci and theron kissing right as that buildup finishes in "don't stop believin'" was one of the best movie moments ive seen in a long time (no sarcasm).

I was so overwhelmed in that scene, I too think it was perfect, couldn't help but feel happy but sad at the same time, I really connected and understood her in what she was living, there was a time in my life I felt sort of that way, fortunately I don't anymore.

Nothing official yet but early word is that Charlize Theron's Oscar winning performance in Monster will come to DVD on June 1 from Columbia Tristar Home Entertainment. So far the DVD will be available in widescreen format and specs include Dolby Digital 5.1 sound, a featurette and theatrical trailers. The DVD will be available for $26.96.

(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fdvdfanatic.com%2Fnewsimages%2Fmonstercover.jpg&hash=3d97ba8a80329079b346d497d664dc431e4d43af)

http://www.davisdvd.com/news/daily_news.html#032704

If Monster is going to be known for anything, it's that it accomplished the heretofore impossible - "uglifying" the heavenly Charlize Theron. According to Video Store Magazine, the film, which earned Theron an Academy Award for her portrayal of female serial killer Aileen Wuornos, will be available on June 1st from Columbia TriStar Home Entertainment and will feature an anamorphic widescreen transfer (1.85:1) and Dolby Digital 5.1 audio. Extras on tap include a making-of featurette (with footage of Theron's makeup process and travels to actual locations Wournos frequented), an interview with writer/director Patty Jenkins and composer Brian Transeau (BT) and bonus trailers. Retail will be $26.95.


Also available will be a double-disc set which includes filmmaker Nick Broomfield's 2002 follow-up documentary Aileen: Life and Death of a Serial Killer. Retail on this will be $39.95 ($19.95 for the doc alone). Also be aware that yet another documentary, 1992's Aileen Wuornos: The Selling of a Serial Killer, will be released on April 27th with a retail of $14.95. Check out specs and cover art for that one in Tuesday's news post.

FUCKING HELL I LOVED IT.

and i feel like the kid who gets the joke 10 minutes after everyone else has already heard and laughed and forgotten it, so forgive me b/c this movie has been out and talked about and whathaveyou but i just rented this thing and

it

kicked

my

ass....

Quote from: MacGuffinI dunno what movie the naysayers saw, but this film was brilliant. Theron deserves every award and accolade she receives. I did not see her acting at all; she was this character, became it. I dunno what kind of style was wanted, but I thought flashy editing and cinematography weren't necessary. It was perfect to just let the screenplay and actors tell the story, and the pacing was spot on. It was a extraordinary character study. Highly recommended.

yes yes yes yes yes. and whatever nitpicky complaints about pacing and theron's makeup and ricci's performance (equal to theron's in my mind) is really silly and irrelevant and just plain dumb.

1. theron's performace is the best since ellen burstyn in requiem. fact.

2. anyone who didn't get teary or at least think about getting teary during the part when theron puts ricci on the bus and says goodbye isn't human. fact.

3. the script was good, as were every supporting character, hell, even the extras. i mean, y'all, it was soooo right and perfect, and maybe it's because i grew up near this area and I-95 (where aileen picked up some of the dudes) is like 30 mins. from my house, i don't know. i felt it. it's real man. f-izz-act.

4. why this is being compared to a hardly comparable and far inferior monster's ball baffles me. fact.

it reminded me a lot of thelma and louise, except with less laughing and fun.

eberto himself says it best here:

Quote from: roger the manI didn't recognize her -- but more to the point, I hardly tried, because the performance is so focused and intense that it becomes a fact of life. Observe the way Theron controls her eyes in the film; there is not a flicker of inattention, as she urgently communicates what she is feeling and thinking. There's the uncanny sensation that Theron has forgotten the camera and the script and is directly channeling her ideas about Aileen Wuornos. She has made herself the instrument of this character.

I'm sure you're at that point when you've just seen it for the first time and think it better than it really is. It was OK (maybe good) to say the least. It didn't wow me at all, or leave me teary-eyed. I just didn't like it too much.

I felt the same way to an extent. Although I thought it was a good movie, it was over rated by Ebert. I thought Theron's performance was great, not the movie.

I didn't get into the movie, especially Theron's acting. Ricci's performance was so much better than Theron's. I mean, you can tell she tried, but that prosthetic face is one big obstruction.

it really wasn't very good at all. beginning with the overhype about theron's performance, the movie disappointed on all fronts. ricci was ok i guess, in a forgettable role, what is there to say about this movie other than "SNORE +".

sum ppl are too eager to like this, at best it is textbook filmmaking of what could have been an interesting story. boy was i glad (until today) when ppl got over this fad.

i think i'm repeating myself here but i don't care enuff to look back at previous pages to check if i already reviewed this piece of crap.

So was ricci naked?  I saw the movie but missed that part evidently.  Unless, of course, I was distracted by her forehead.

I tried to forget most of the movie, but as I recall she doesn't get naked. I might be wrong. But I bet the title of the thread was created when there was some rumor she might appear nude.

Quote from: Pit really wasn't very good at all. beginning with the overhype about theron's performance, the movie disappointed on all fronts. ricci was ok i guess, in a forgettable role, what is there to say about this movie other than "SNORE +".

sum ppl are too eager to like this, at best it is textbook filmmaking of what could have been an interesting story. boy was i glad (until today) when ppl got over this fad.

i think i'm repeating myself here but i don't care enuff to look back at previous pages to check if i already reviewed this piece of crap.

I was never one to say 'piece of crap' but I did get grossly tired of all the overhype. I wasn't even terribly impressed with Theorn's performance.

http://www.davisdvd.com/news/rumors.html

Keeping track of news and rumors can be trying sometimes. Here's a little tidbit that's been sitting around my computer for a while (sorry it took so long to get to it): Monster director Patty Jenkins confirmed back in June that a second edition of her film will be released. Asked during the DVD press junket about the lead time she had to prepare her film, she had this to say: "I went straight from finishing the film into being on the award circuit and the European press circuit. So, this is an initial release of the DVD that they just had to get out what they could, in order to meet the dates - the correct dates. So, there will be another DVD with more - with footage and a director's commentary and bonus things. But the truth is that it's been funny even working on that; there's one deleted scene. [There wasn't] a lot of fat... scenes were longer and scenes were shorter and slightly different, but it's almost exactly verbatim [to the] script.

I only just saw this and absolutely loved it. I'm kicking myself for avoiding it for as long as I did. This is probably my second favourite film of last year. Ok, here are some quotes I agree with:

Quote from: MacGuffinI dunno what kind of style was wanted, but I thought flashy editing and cinematography weren't necessary. It was perfect to just let the screenplay and actors tell the story, and the pacing was spot on. It was a extraordinary character study.

Quote from: RegularKarateI agree about the Journey song scene being great. one of the best kissing scenes in a LOOOOOOOONG time

Quote from: CinephileI'm glad that two of the very best films of the year were made by female directors.

Quote from: ©brad2. anyone who didn't get teary or at least think about getting teary during the part when theron puts ricci on the bus and says goodbye isn't human. fact.

3. the script was good, as were every supporting character, hell, even the extras. i mean, y'all, it was soooo right and perfect, and maybe it's because i grew up near this area and I-95 (where aileen picked up some of the dudes) is like 30 mins. from my house, i don't know. i felt it. it's real man. f-izz-act.

As far as the style goes, that's one of the reasons why the film worked so well. The story and the characters felt so real to me and I think the absence of stylish filmmaking had a lot to do with that, as Mac already said. The script was terrific. One of the finest screenplays in long time. I guess that means the two finest screenplays of last year were written by chicks :|. A good thing. Definatly a good thing. But this was a lot better then LIT. I really, really loved this film. It still hasn't hit the shelves yet in Australia :evil:, but ill definitely be grabbing a copy when it does. Looking forward to seeing this again. I think I can safely say its the best lesbian love story since Mulholland Drive.

Columbia TriStar has announced that they'll release a 2-disc Monster: Special Edition on 1/25/05.

oh god. don't tell me ppl are gonna be talking about this again for a week in the future..