refocusedmedia
Veteran
Trailer is out!
Lincoln -- Spielberg's presidential biopic starring Daniel Day-Lewis
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Batutta
Major Contributor
...and Daniel Day Lewis gets another Academy Award...As for the movie, seems like the same overwrought, heavy handed tone that War Horse had. The best drama about a US President I've seen was probably the HBO series John Adams, which wasn't oozing with so much reverent self importance. This is pretty much exactly what I envisioned when I heard Spielberg was doing this movie. Hopefully my impression from this trailer is wrong, as I am still a fan of the man.
KyleProhaska
Veteran
Looks pretty solid. I've been most interested with how they handle the issues of the Civil War. Slavery gets pushed into the forefront as the thing on every northern or southern fighters mind when keeping the union together or having the right to secede was more the issue between those who fought the war then anything else. The south was fighting more for their constitutional right to secede against a government who refused to allow it...then to keep their slaves. Most of the folks who fought for the south didn't even own any. You won't find that in public school history books today...of course.
Lewis is looking great as usual. I agree it does have an odor of self-importance to it...but maybe it won't be as heavy as the trailer shows. It's Spielberg so no matter what he's got my money already.
Lewis is looking great as usual. I agree it does have an odor of self-importance to it...but maybe it won't be as heavy as the trailer shows. It's Spielberg so no matter what he's got my money already.
Blade Borge
Well-known member
I haven't walked out of a Spielberg film feeling this satisfied since Munich. Excellent film. I think the Academy Awards are a pretty irrelevant, but DDL definitely deserves best actor.
Seriously? The fact that most Southerners did not own slaves is in EVERY history book in the US.
The reason for secession is laid out in the Declaration for causes of Secession. Every one of them says, we want to secede for a lot of reasons that don't make a lot of sense (Like just because)....AND Slavery.
All you have to do is read it:
http://sunsite.utk.edu/civil-war/reasons.html
These are the people that were in control of those State Governments, and they are TELLING you in their own words exactly why they wanted to secede. Slavery.
Just because people didn't own slaves doesn't mean they were in favor of freedom for slaves.
Batutta
Major Contributor
I thought it was excellent. Thankfully the overwrought tone of the trailer wasn't the tone of the film. This was actually one of Spielberg's most restrained and intellectual films. It isn't a biopic really, but a dramatization of one very specific period of time when Lincoln was trying to pass the 13th amendment. Daniel Day Lewis gave an incomparable performance. Tommy Lee Jones as well was in top form. Janusz Kaminski's work was also more restrained and straightforward than usual for him. My only criticism is that it does feel like you're watching a stage play at times, but it's a very good stage play. Ultimately it may be a little too limited in focus to be a truly great film, but I think it is one of the best, if not the best film about the inner workings of the US government. Spielberg and Kushner managed to make the passing of an amendment absolutely riveting drama, and that's no mean feat.
KyleProhaska
Veteran
I wasn't fighting with anybody, just making a comment.
Still haven't been able to go see this yet. Lots of folks I know have and enjoyed it. Might end up missing it in theaters unless I can catch a cheap showing somewhere!
Still haven't been able to go see this yet. Lots of folks I know have and enjoyed it. Might end up missing it in theaters unless I can catch a cheap showing somewhere!
Postmaster
Dark Side of the Camera
Is it just me?...
I would not recognize Daniel Day Lewis in that mask and costume - looks more like Joaquin Phoenix at a first glance.
Maybe I need some sleep or more coffee...
I would not recognize Daniel Day Lewis in that mask and costume - looks more like Joaquin Phoenix at a first glance.
Maybe I need some sleep or more coffee...
David G. Smith
Steak Knife Member
Ha, Ha, Ha!!! I think he looks like a US Five Dollar Bill!!!
I saw the film and really liked it. Of course, Daniel Day Lewis hit another home run, but I think that James Spader stole the show, IMHO.
pulpfiction007
Veteran
James Spader was fantastic! Playing way against his type and provided a lot of comic relief. Daniel Day Lewis....what can ya say, he's stellar as usual
Overall I thought the film was great...but some scenes could have been cut. It looked like they had a bigger role for Joseph Gordon Levitt in the first cut but chopped it down...so much so that the remaining parts feel thrown in...( of course I'm totally guessing on the edit) It's a minor detail though, in an otherwise really good movie.
We finally went to see it on Wednesday. Loved, loved, loved this film.
Yes, Lewis was brilliant in his portrayal of Lincoln, but the supporting cast really sealed the deal. Tommy Lee jones was hysterical (I agree with your "in top form" assessment, Batutta), but Tim Blake Nelson and James Spader really rounded out the comic relief, along with some well-written antics among the various representatives in Congress.
Not only were the screenplay and casting fantastic... on a technical level, it was remarkable. It hit me throughout the film how... quiet... the sound design really is. Often, there's really nothing but dialog and an ever-present ticking (see THIS THREAD for a link about the sound design) of a clock or pocket watch. The lighting was also impressive: it's quite rare that a period piece takes great care not to light beyond the capabilities of the time, and "Lincoln" really paid attention to that image. The lighting is gritty, spotty, and honest to the source. I get tired of seeing some period piece set in or before the 1800s where they acknowledge only through practicals and set dressing that candles and lanterns are lighting the room, yet everything is beautifully covered with soft, even shadows and very few spots hidden in dark. Yet this film isn't afraid to admit up-front that the daylight coming in from the windows is the only source of light they have, and it isn't afraid to admit that there will be harsh shadows on the walls behind the characters (much like Hitchcock's "Rear Window" portrayed a darkened apartment at night).
Even though there are a few notable, historical inaccuracies, I think for the purposes of the film they are largely excusable.
Now I need to go see "Hitchcock" and "Hyde Park on Hudson" (and "Les Mis"... not gonna lie, I'm excited about that one) to complete my late fall/early winter movie viewing.
Review of Lincoln
Review of Lincoln
In 1865 the Civil War has been going on for four years, U.S. President Abraham Lincoln ( Daniel Day-Lewis) goes into a political battle to pass the 13th amendment that will banished slavery forever in the United States. Peace is getting closer and the amendment has to be passed before the war is over or the returning southern states will stop it from becoming a law. Lincoln is faced with a challenge end the war early so that the deaths will stop and they can start rebuilding or wait until the amendment is passed so that slavery can stop.
Lincoln is another reason why Spielberg is still one of the best directors today. If you’re looking for a movie that is filled with action scenes then this is not a movie you will enjoy, Lincoln only has one battle scene which is at the beginning of the movie and it’s extremely brief. Lincoln is filled with a lot of talking scenes but it’s still entertaining.
Daniel-Day Lewis as Lincoln is powerful and was like seeing a ghost, his performance its literally the closet thing we will ever get to the real Abraham Lincoln. He did a great job of showing Lincoln’s fatigue from both the war and his age; he also did a fantastic job of showing how great of a public speaker he was. Daniel-Day Lewis should win a Oscar for his performance, it’s probably one of his best performances ever. Lewis wasn’t the only actor who gave an award winning performance Tommy Lee Jones as Thaddeus Stevens is humorous at times but he also gives some of the best monologues in the movie. Sally Field as Mary Todd Lincoln wasn’t as impressive or powerful as Lewis and Jones was but it’s still an award winning performance. The rest of the cast gave really great performances as well, there wasn’t as single weak actor/actress.
As I said before Lincoln contains a lot of long dialogue driven scenes and very powerful monologues, it’s not for people who need a lot of action for a movie to be entertaining. There was not a single scene in this movie where I was bored or wanted it to be over, I was actually disappointed when a scene would end. My only complaint with Lincoln is that I wish it would have been longer, Lincoln is 2hrs and 30 mins the average length for a Spielberg movie but with how great the cast was and the story I really never wanted it to end.
I have read reviews where people are complain about the accuracy on the history, I am not going to write if the history is correct or incorrect because we never will know everything that happened during the Civil War and how Lincoln got rid of slavery. To me Lincoln does a better job of telling about the history during Lincoln’s time than most history books. Steven Spielberg spent about twelve years researching about Lincoln for this movie and it showed through the movie that Spielberg was trying to be as accurate as possible.
Lincoln is a movie that I will definitely buy when it comes out on DVD; it’s a movie that I recommend to anyone who loves history and movies. Even if you’re not a fan of history I would still give it a watch it may get you interested in history. Spielberg did an amazing job of showing Lincoln’s last few months of his life and the challenges he faced. Finally some people may complain that they don’t show Lincoln’s assassination but we all know that he was assassinated and by whom, so there wasn’t any need to show it. There was a great scene at the end that I feel would have made a better ending, the scene shows Lincoln walking down the hallway out of the White house going to Ford Theater. Rating: 5/5 A+
Review of Lincoln
In 1865 the Civil War has been going on for four years, U.S. President Abraham Lincoln ( Daniel Day-Lewis) goes into a political battle to pass the 13th amendment that will banished slavery forever in the United States. Peace is getting closer and the amendment has to be passed before the war is over or the returning southern states will stop it from becoming a law. Lincoln is faced with a challenge end the war early so that the deaths will stop and they can start rebuilding or wait until the amendment is passed so that slavery can stop.
Lincoln is another reason why Spielberg is still one of the best directors today. If you’re looking for a movie that is filled with action scenes then this is not a movie you will enjoy, Lincoln only has one battle scene which is at the beginning of the movie and it’s extremely brief. Lincoln is filled with a lot of talking scenes but it’s still entertaining.
Daniel-Day Lewis as Lincoln is powerful and was like seeing a ghost, his performance its literally the closet thing we will ever get to the real Abraham Lincoln. He did a great job of showing Lincoln’s fatigue from both the war and his age; he also did a fantastic job of showing how great of a public speaker he was. Daniel-Day Lewis should win a Oscar for his performance, it’s probably one of his best performances ever. Lewis wasn’t the only actor who gave an award winning performance Tommy Lee Jones as Thaddeus Stevens is humorous at times but he also gives some of the best monologues in the movie. Sally Field as Mary Todd Lincoln wasn’t as impressive or powerful as Lewis and Jones was but it’s still an award winning performance. The rest of the cast gave really great performances as well, there wasn’t as single weak actor/actress.
As I said before Lincoln contains a lot of long dialogue driven scenes and very powerful monologues, it’s not for people who need a lot of action for a movie to be entertaining. There was not a single scene in this movie where I was bored or wanted it to be over, I was actually disappointed when a scene would end. My only complaint with Lincoln is that I wish it would have been longer, Lincoln is 2hrs and 30 mins the average length for a Spielberg movie but with how great the cast was and the story I really never wanted it to end.
I have read reviews where people are complain about the accuracy on the history, I am not going to write if the history is correct or incorrect because we never will know everything that happened during the Civil War and how Lincoln got rid of slavery. To me Lincoln does a better job of telling about the history during Lincoln’s time than most history books. Steven Spielberg spent about twelve years researching about Lincoln for this movie and it showed through the movie that Spielberg was trying to be as accurate as possible.
Lincoln is a movie that I will definitely buy when it comes out on DVD; it’s a movie that I recommend to anyone who loves history and movies. Even if you’re not a fan of history I would still give it a watch it may get you interested in history. Spielberg did an amazing job of showing Lincoln’s last few months of his life and the challenges he faced. Finally some people may complain that they don’t show Lincoln’s assassination but we all know that he was assassinated and by whom, so there wasn’t any need to show it. There was a great scene at the end that I feel would have made a better ending, the scene shows Lincoln walking down the hallway out of the White house going to Ford Theater. Rating: 5/5 A+
Allan Black
Veteran
There you go fobers, I cleaned it up. After seeing this movie, I like to think Lincoln would have done the same
Yep a tour de force by DDL, his interpretation of Lincolns character won the Oscar. The quietly spoken President who listened to everyone but had a very strong resolve. You get the impression he had others, but 13 was next on his list, then ..
And it is a quiet movie, struck me a couple of times, the juxtaposition between the suggested noises of the battles, the dead .. and the quiet President.
Be around for history study in US schools from here on.
Cheers.
Finnegan
Well-known member
Well, they didn't do a very good job of massaging. I found the movie to be pretty boring overall.
Don't know how you thought it was boring, not every movie is going to have all action. This was a great movie, one of the best in the last 10 years. It showed Lincoln relationship with the people and his son, there was not a single weak character and the acting by everyone was amazing.
Finnegan
Well-known member
I don't need a movie to be jam packed with action in order to find it interesting. I can, however, elaborate on my opinion as to avoid condescending comments like yours in the future.
While I think the film was superbly directed, acted, and shot, I felt that the conflicts that Lincoln faced were dramatically contrived. There were three issues that the film identifies, at least to me, as things that needed to be resolved over the course of the film: Lincoln and the passing of the amendment, Lincoln's relationship with his wife, and Lincoln's relationship with his son. The latter two issues are almost never addressed outside just being identified, and with the amendment I thought there was a great missed opportunity to increase the tension in the third act of the film, what with Lincoln's deception of the Confederacy's leadership. Watching the voting scene unravel was like watching grass grow -- I felt no tension, no build up, even in the parts where you're supposed to feel it, like when Tommy Lee Jones has to stand up there and omit part of what makes him the "radical" liberal. The scene lacked gravity because to me, the parts that would have made me care about whether or not the amendment passed were tied up in how Lincoln perceives the war on a personal level. In my mind, that means coming to terms or at the very least understanding why his oldest son wants to fight for the Union, and why his wife resents him regarding their younger son's death previously.
The movie hints that Lincoln's motives are all tied up in these personal endeavors, which would have endeared him to me as a character, but then proceeds to neglect pretty much all of them. There's no resolution or understanding between him and his family. You're kind of forced to think, based on the events in the plot, that Lincoln wants to end the war for these magnanimous and somewhat superficial American ideals -- that war is wrong, the death of American men is a tragedy, and the union is the key to America's ability to thrive. These things are all true, no doubt, but in my opinion without that personal level of context that grounds the character in a world that I can understand as the viewer, I simply just don't care.
It's because of this reasoning that I think it's almost cliche to say the performances from the actors were amazing. Of course they were! But they should have been. You're dealing with three Academy award winning actors. Furthermore, JGL and Lane Price (I don't know the actors name, the guy from Mad Men) are incredible actors who were shoe horned into these tiny roles that have almost no significance in the plot of the film at all. It just all feels so very contrived to me. It's missing that Spielberg authenticity that makes his other films so incredible.
I know I'm in the minority here, and I don't mean to diminish the film at all -- after all even a bad film by Spielberg (not that Lincoln is bad) is still better than 85% of the other films out there. I just think there's absolutely no way Lincoln was even one of the best films of the year, much less one of the best films in the last ten years. I can think of at least 25 films off the top of my head that I'd rank above Lincoln both in personal preference and in objective quality in the past ten years.