"Changeling" Talkback (Spoilers)

[GregX]

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/4/43/Changeling_poster.jpg

Director: Clint Eastwood
Starring: Angelina Jolie, John Malkovich.
Written by: J. Michael Straczynski.
Genres: Drama
Running Time: 141 min.
Release Date: October 24th, 2008 (limited), October 31st, 2008 (wide)
MPAA Rating: R
Distributors: Universal Pictures

Summary: The film is set in late 1920s Los Angeles and is based on a real-life incident related to the Wineville Chicken Coop Murders, an infamous kidnapping and murder case that spanned 1928–1930 and received nationwide attention in the United States. When single mother Christine Collins (Jolie) returns home from her job as a telephone operator, she finds that her nine-year-old son, Walter, is missing. An exhaustive search for the boy proves unproductive, but five months later a child claiming to be Walter is returned to her by police. Despite knowing that the boy is not Walter, overcome by conflicting emotions in the crowd of police and reporters, Collins is persuaded to take the boy home. When Collins urges the authorities to continue looking for her son, she is vilified as an unfit mother and branded delusional. With the help of Reverend Gustav Briegleb (Malkovich), Collins confronts the city authorities and corruption in the Los Angeles Police Deparment to find out the truth.

[Movie06]

For one second, I thought it was the Peter Medak-directed Horror flick The Changling.

[jph139]

The fact I had complete understanding of the movie's title excited me. Hooray for Magic the Gathering!

Doesn't look half-bad, either. I may check it out... I love films set in pre-WWII America.

[GregX]

If I had a dollar for every time I had to explain the title to people... :D

[Old Guy]

Seems like another Oscar-bait Eastwood movie to me. I'll check it out nonetheless.

[GregX]

Seems like another Oscar-bait Eastwood movie to me. I'll check it out nonetheless.

You say that like it's a bad thing.

[Old Guy]

You say that like it's a bad thing.

It kinda is, man. Mystic River was great, but the rest of Eastwood's Oscar bait movies were nothing special.

[Movie06]

You say that like it's a bad thing.

I'm not. I just think it's funny that they have the same title. That and I actually did thought this thread was about the Horror film.

[GregX]

It kinda is, man. Mystic River was great, but the rest of Eastwood's Oscar bait movies were nothing special.

Okay, I have to say this. I for one, as a writer and as a pro, am offended by the term "Oscar bait." What's wrong for shooting to make something great, something special? I am knee-deep in writing my first screenplay for a major motion picture, and you better believe I am shooting for at least a nomination. Does that make it Oscar Bait? I'm sure in some ways, yes. But I am telling my story, and I want it to be the best story I have in my arsenal at the moment.

If you don't aim high, there's no point in doing it.

[GregX]

I'm not. I just think it's funny that they have the same title. That and I actually did thought this thread was about the Horror film.

See, that is kind of funny. I didn't know that other movie existed.

[Old Guy]

I for one, as a writer and as a pro, am offended by the term "Oscar bait." What's wrong for shooting to make something great, something special?

Shooting for something great and Oscar-bait are two different things. Example:

Requiem for a Dream = Shooting for something great
Atonement = Hey, give me an Oscar

Oscar-bait refers to a safe and conventional movie that's award-friendly.

[Movie06]

Okay, I have to say this. I for one, as a writer and as a pro, am offended by the term "Oscar bait." What's wrong for shooting to make something great, something special? I am knee-deep in writing my first screenplay for a major motion picture, and you better believe I am shooting for at least a nomination. Does that make it Oscar Bait? I'm sure in some ways, yes. But I am telling my story, and I want it to be the best story I have in my arsenal at the moment.

If you don't aim high, there's no point in doing it.

To be fair, other people don't usually aim their movies to be Oscar nominated.

[GregX]

Shooting for something great and Oscar-bait are two different things. Example:

Requiem for a Dream = Shooting for something great
Atonement = Hey, give me an Oscar

Oscar-bait refers to a safe and conventional movie that's award-friendly.

I disagree. I thought "Atonement" was terrific.

Also, if you think this will be a safe and conventional movie, you don't know JMS. He wrote the script and one thing he never does is play it safe.

[GregX]

To be fair, other people don't usually aim their movies to be Oscar nominated.

Well, some of the people who do Troma movies or Michael Bay don't. Me, I don't want to be like those guys. I take a lot of pride in what I do.

My friend Aaron was saying something about his style vs my style. "Greg is going to go to Hollywood and make these four star filet mignon films, which is cool. Me, I'd settle for making a Big Mac movie."

Just my particular style. Not that I am incapable of enjoying some Big Mac films, as long as they don't insult my intelligence.

[Old Guy]

To be fair, other people don't usually aim their movies to be Oscar nominated.

True. Most people want the PUBLIC to like it first and then worry about Oscar voters since it's some-what irrelevant seeing as the voters are your peers. Winning an Oscar doesn't say people liked your movie. It just says that the people around you in Hollywood think you did a swell job. Which, of course, has led people to complain that the Oscars are a popularity contest. Which is true seeing that popular boy George Clooney won an Oscar and outsider Johnny Depp didn't even get a nominaton till 2003 even though he deserved one all the way back in 1990.

[GregX]

True. Most people want the PUBLIC to like it first and then worry about Oscar voters since it's some-what irrelevant seeing as the voters are your peers. Winning an Oscar doesn't say people liked your movie. It just says that the people around you in Hollywood think you did a swell job. Which, of course, has led people to complain that the Oscars are a popularity contest. Which is true seeing that popular boy George Clooney won an Oscar and outsider Johnny Depp didn't even get a nominaton till 2003 even though he deserved one all the way back in 1990.

Well, no offense, but those people tend to be more educated on film than the public. The PUBLIC thinks Michael Bay's "Transformers" was a good movie, even though it was a piece of crap.

But mostly, I want to make something that I can be proud of. I think of myself as an auteur first and foremost. I write for an audience of one, myself. I just hope other people will enjoy it.

Most of my favorite writers are like that. JMS. Harlan Ellison. Greg Weisman. Etc.

[Movie06]

Well, some of the people who do Troma movies or Michael Bay don't. Me, I don't want to be like those guys. I take a lot of pride in what I do.

Well, actually, it's more than Michael Bay and those PETA-loving morons at Troma.

A lot of filmmakers just want to make movies for the hell of it. Like James Wan, Eli Roth, Mike Judge, Takashi Miike, etc. They want to entertain, not impress The Academy.

You, my friend, if you want to make something you want to be proud of but then by all means, good luck.

[GregX]

Well, actually, it's more than Michael Bay and those PETA-loving morons at Troma.

A lot of filmmakers just want to make movies for the hell of it. Like James Wan, Eli Roth, Mike Judge, Takashi Miike, etc. They want to entertain, not impress The Academy.

You, my friend, if you want to make something you want to be proud of but then by all means, good luck.

See, that's why even though we mostly disagree, I like you! ;)

And good for them. I'm not saying I don't want to entertain. I just want to tell the best stories in my arsenal, and I hope others will like them. Believe me when I say that I understand that the entertainment business is a business. But, I hope to get my stuff out there. Team with a good director who can bring my story to life.

[Old Guy]

The PUBLIC thinks Michael Bay's "Transformers" was a good movie

The PUBLIC also thinks that The Godfather is a good movie. The fact is that the audience isn't picky. They enjoyed Transformers as mind-less entertainment, but also Godfather as a well-crafted movie. But this is all opinion of course.

The fact is that the Oscars like to play it safe. You are VERY RARELY gonna see a controversial, very dark, quirky, or even a comedy getting awards. So, if you wanna win an Oscar you have to play by their rules which result in what we call "an Oscar-bait movie".

[GregX]

The PUBLIC also thinks that The Godfather is a good movie. The fact is that the audience isn't picky. They enjoyed Transformers as mind-less entertainment, but also Godfather as a well-crafted movie. But this is all opinion of course.

The fact is that the Oscars like to play it safe. You are VERY RARELY gonna see a controversial, very dark, quirky, or even a comedy getting awards. So, if you wanna win an Oscar you have to play by their rules which result in what we call "an Oscar-bait movie".

I disagree. I did not think "No Country For Old Men" was 'safe.' I did not think "The Departed" was safe. Now, while they do make bad choices as well, I tend to agree with the Academy 85% of the time.

And I also believe that if "The Godfather" were made today, it would not do nearly as well with the public.

[Old Guy]

I did not think "No Country For Old Men" was 'safe.'

What was so un-safe about it? Was it dark? Yes, but not un-safe.


I did not think "The Departed" was safe.

Again, what was un-safe about it?


And I also believe that if "The Godfather" were made today, it would not do nearly as well with the public.

Why? It continues to be loved by newer generations. Unlike, say, Citizen Kane which people consider to be very overrated.

[GregX]

Why? It continues to be loved by newer generations. Unlike, say, Citizen Kane which people consider to be very overrated.

I don't think it is the slightest bit overrated. Who thinks it is? Not AFI.

[The Penguin]

Let's try talking the movie, shall we? I'm tempted to delete almost every post in this thread and let it start over again. If you haven't seen the movie, you have nothing to talk about. After about post number three, there isn't even anything about Changeling in the posts. It's not that tough, people.

[GregX]

Let's try talking the movie, shall we? I'm tempted to delete almost every post in this thread and let it start over again. If you haven't seen the movie, you have nothing to talk about. After about post number three, there isn't even anything about Changeling in the posts. It's not that tough, people.

I second the motion.

[GregX]

It's always hard to review a film like this. I'm a big geek, and a film buff. I love my well done comic book films. I love my epics. Despite how I often discuss film, I can enjoy just about anything. My criteria is that I will enjoy it as long as it doesn't insult my intelligence. Then I'll decide how positive the grade is. I loved "The Dark Knight"". I loved "Iron Man". I definitely enjoyed "The Incredible Hulk" and "Hellboy". I thought "W." was mediocre. But, the best film I saw all year was "Changeling." Hands down.

The best films, the ones that resonate for years to come are the ones that make you feel. I think Clint Eastwood accomplished that here. The man is a gifted director, and displayed his genius on every frame. I have loved the man's work for a long time.

Now, I am not a fan of Angelina Jolie, but she was phenomenal here. I forgot it was Angelina Jolie. When you stop thinking about the actor, and see the character as a real person, you know something wonderful is happening. I said the same thing about Heath Ledger this past summer.

And finally, the third star, J. Michael Straczynski for this wonderful screenplay. Very often, in Hollywood, writers are the least appreciated aspect of the production. Which is a shame, because without them, there is no movie. So, I was delightfully stunned to see JMS get second billing during the credits right after Clint Eastwood. I have never seen that happen before. And as a "Babylon 5" fan, I appreciated the quote, "never start a fight, but always finish it," appearing in the film.

As to the film itself. These are based on real events. I think the best thing I can say about it is that this is a mother's worst nightmare. Yes, those three words. Mother's worst nightmare. It was done justice. Child abduction is a very heavy subject matter, and unlike a terrible movie like Mel Gibson's "Ransom", this was down to earth and real. Frightening too. There is no graphic violence in it, but Straczynski and Eastwood don't pull any punches. This will emotionally affect you. And then, when you tell yourself it's just a movie, you will remember that this really happened.

I know it borders on the cliche to say this, but you will laugh. You will cry. You will be terrified. You will cheer. And, in the end, what this film is about is hope, and never losing that hope.

If this isn't nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay and Best Actress, then it will be a shame.

[DisneyBoy]

Pengy, I'm not usually the type of person to agree with deleting things, but yeah...why the heck did I have to scroll through a page and a half to see a single review of the movie? Debate Transformers somewhere else peeps!

Glad you liked it GregX. I'm probably not going to get to see it, but I was hoping it's a good one.

[Ragebot]

Has anyone else seen this film yet? Any of the "Oscar-bait" hysteria of the first page in this thread can safely be dismissed now. This was a terrific film, and also one of the most grossly underrated movies of the past decade. Glad I caught it.