POTENTIAL SPOILERS IN THIS POST
I saw both of these movies on Sunday - anything to try and forget about that near disaster at the Alamodome.
First of all, let me say that I was so pumped to be seeing both of these movies. I really wanted to like them. Two of my favorite movies are Chinatown and L.A. Confidential - I was definitely in the target audience for these movies.
At the end of the day I thought The Black Dahlia (TBD) was better than Hollywoodland (HWL), but neither were in the same ballpark as Chinatown or L.A. Confidential. TBD was set in 1946 Los Angeles while HWL was set in 1959. TBD was based on a James Ellroy novel (as was L.A. Confidential) and HWL was based on the death of George Reeves and events surrounding his death.
Out of 100 I give Chinatown a 99 and L.A. Confidential a 98. Comparatively I would give HWL a 71 and TBD a 78. And remember - I went in wanting to love these movies.
HWL tried to be a little like Chinatown and L.A. Confidential combined, but the essential riveting story just wasn't there. If the basic story was there at some point they definitely didn't tell it well. Really this movie kept getting worse about every ten minutes. It started off well and then just went downhill from there. In the end I wasn't really sure about the intent of the movie or even why it was made. [AGAIN, POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD] This movie had a really great cast and a great setting in 1959 Los Angeles, but other than some unexpected laughs I left the cinema disappointed. There were some powerful themes at work such as all of the children being so distraught that Superman would kill himself. That really speaks to the influence and magic of television during that pioneering era.
Probably the best thing I can say about HWL is that Ben Affleck was just outstanding in this role. I absolutely cannot stand Affleck. In fact, I have skipped movies because he was in them. I haven't read what the critics are saying, but to my great surprise Affleck can act...I mean really act. If nothing else I can't emphasize how great his performance was. Also, HWL will probably not be considered true film noir. It had some of the elements, but not enough of them.
TBD should have been great given the source material and the fact Brian Depalma directed it. The fact Josh Harnett had the leading role should have been a hint that it might not be good. This movie has the look and all of the elements of classic film noir, but it just isn't hitting on all cylinders. The reason L.A. Confidential and Chinatown are so great is because very complex stories are told in a way that was understandable, suspenseful and riveting. TBD probably could have been great, but something just got off track. Given the Ellroy source material it should have approached the greatness of L.A. Confidential.
Contrary to some rumors Scarlett Johannson is not nude in this movie. There are some shots of her in a revealing evening gown, but nothing more. I just wanted to make sure guys out there weren't hoping for some gratuitous violence and nude Scarlett scenes to make the movie worthwhile.
Given the nature of the crime TBD could have been a lot more sinister and creepy. In some ways I think it should have been made a little more like Blue Velvet and not the previously mentioned films.
Anyway, I was hoping to be recommending these movies for the Entertainment Forum regulars. Unfortunately I'm not sure if they are even good rentals.
I saw both of these movies on Sunday - anything to try and forget about that near disaster at the Alamodome.
First of all, let me say that I was so pumped to be seeing both of these movies. I really wanted to like them. Two of my favorite movies are Chinatown and L.A. Confidential - I was definitely in the target audience for these movies.
At the end of the day I thought The Black Dahlia (TBD) was better than Hollywoodland (HWL), but neither were in the same ballpark as Chinatown or L.A. Confidential. TBD was set in 1946 Los Angeles while HWL was set in 1959. TBD was based on a James Ellroy novel (as was L.A. Confidential) and HWL was based on the death of George Reeves and events surrounding his death.
Out of 100 I give Chinatown a 99 and L.A. Confidential a 98. Comparatively I would give HWL a 71 and TBD a 78. And remember - I went in wanting to love these movies.
HWL tried to be a little like Chinatown and L.A. Confidential combined, but the essential riveting story just wasn't there. If the basic story was there at some point they definitely didn't tell it well. Really this movie kept getting worse about every ten minutes. It started off well and then just went downhill from there. In the end I wasn't really sure about the intent of the movie or even why it was made. [AGAIN, POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD] This movie had a really great cast and a great setting in 1959 Los Angeles, but other than some unexpected laughs I left the cinema disappointed. There were some powerful themes at work such as all of the children being so distraught that Superman would kill himself. That really speaks to the influence and magic of television during that pioneering era.
Probably the best thing I can say about HWL is that Ben Affleck was just outstanding in this role. I absolutely cannot stand Affleck. In fact, I have skipped movies because he was in them. I haven't read what the critics are saying, but to my great surprise Affleck can act...I mean really act. If nothing else I can't emphasize how great his performance was. Also, HWL will probably not be considered true film noir. It had some of the elements, but not enough of them.
TBD should have been great given the source material and the fact Brian Depalma directed it. The fact Josh Harnett had the leading role should have been a hint that it might not be good. This movie has the look and all of the elements of classic film noir, but it just isn't hitting on all cylinders. The reason L.A. Confidential and Chinatown are so great is because very complex stories are told in a way that was understandable, suspenseful and riveting. TBD probably could have been great, but something just got off track. Given the Ellroy source material it should have approached the greatness of L.A. Confidential.
Contrary to some rumors Scarlett Johannson is not nude in this movie. There are some shots of her in a revealing evening gown, but nothing more. I just wanted to make sure guys out there weren't hoping for some gratuitous violence and nude Scarlett scenes to make the movie worthwhile.
Given the nature of the crime TBD could have been a lot more sinister and creepy. In some ways I think it should have been made a little more like Blue Velvet and not the previously mentioned films.
Anyway, I was hoping to be recommending these movies for the Entertainment Forum regulars. Unfortunately I'm not sure if they are even good rentals.