FC/OT: Anyone see 'Bridge of Spies'?

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

I noticed the screenplay was written by Joel and Ethan Coen (along with Matt Charman) and my interest was piqued. Is this any good? Spielberg has been on a weird trajectory lately with relatively 'under the radar' movies (save 'Lincoln') like 'War Horse' and 'The Adventures of Tin Tin' but this seemed like something in his wheel house. But, it seems to have fallen pretty flat with viewers and the critics.

 

[Judge Smails]

Missed it in the theaters, though I really wanted to see it. It's on demand in February on Verizon Fios.

How about "Hail Ceasar!" from the Coen brothers coming soon? Can't wait! - Bart Scott

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Missed it in the theaters, though I really wanted to see it. It's on demand in February on Verizon Fios.

How about "Hail Ceasar!" from the Coen brothers coming soon? Can't wait! - Bart Scott

Yeah, that looks like a return to form for the Coen Brothers. Clooney is awesome in their films (and this is ScarJo's second turn - she was pretty excellent as Birdy in the under-appreciated 'The Man Who Wasn't There').

 

[Tom McAndrew]

Some earlier posts by me on the movie from 2 threads from October. I don't think I ever posted a full review.

As a FYI, if you want to get a taste of the Cuban Missile era, go see the movie Bridge of Spies, which just came out. It stars Tom Hanks, and is based on true events. If I get a chance I'll post a more detailed movie review next week. However, in a sentence, it's an excellent flick about the time, and nicely captures the era as well as the human aspects of a few people on the US, Russian, and East German sides. (Note I'm talking about the era. The movie has nothing to do with Cuba, or the Cuban Missile Crisis.) I reserve the right to change my rating, but my flash rating (having literally just gotten home from the movie) is 3 - 3.5 (somewhere in that range) out of 4 stars

The film takes some liberties, but the core of the story is 100% accurate. The lawyer, James Donovan, did take the initial case of Rudolf Abel, and did negotiate the swap of Abel for U2 pilot Gary Powers and US graduate student Frederic Pryor. Donovan wrote a book in 1964 about the saga, titled Strangers on a Bridge; The Case of Colonel Abel and Francis Gary Powers.

The US graduate student that was swapped, Frederic Pryor, is still alive. He had a long career as an economics professor, mostly at Swarthmore College, and he still has some role at Swarthmore.

I thought the movie was excellent, and posted as much a day or two after it came out. It's a little slow moving at times, but it does a great job of capturing the paranoia of the era, and how much of a day-to-day battler there was between the US and Russia, as well as capturing the feelings of a handful of people, like the aforementioned, that were caught up in the Cold War.

There are a number of excellent films slated to be released in the next 2 months, but Bridge of Spies should be a contender for a number of awards.

 

[Judge Smails]

Yeah, that looks like a return to form for the Coen Brothers. Clooney is awesome in their films (and this is ScarJo's second turn - she was pretty excellent as Birdy in the under-appreciated 'The Man Who Wasn't There').

It's so hard to tell if a film is going to be good. Can't trust the reviewers. I saw "Spotlight", and while it tried hard, it really was a very tame "drama". No tension in the film, imo. Again, it was like a two hour TV show. Had none of the sparks of something like "All The President's Men". Admired what they were trying to do but it was just weak. I walked out of "Black Mass".

 

[Tweedbear]

Old enough to remember the real world aspects of the movie. Portrayal is reasonably accurate and some of the comparisons and contrasts are spot on as they say.
Was on vacation with family in early 70's. Canceled Berlin portion of trip based on newspaper articles the week were scheduled to visit.

 

[Woodpecker]

But, it seems to have fallen pretty flat with viewers and the critics.

It was nominated for a Best Picture Academy award.

I think the Coens were brought in to "punch up" a flat script.

 

[Nitwit]

I saw it and thought It was very good. Tom Hanks as the lawyer does a nice job af playing an understated type character but has the balls and instincts to succeed beyond expectations. It's a very human film. I don't know that this would win a best movie award in most years, but it would be worthy of consideration. Go see it if you can find it.

 

[71camaro]

Playing tonight in the HUB at 9 and 12, and tomorrow night as well. Like all HUB movies, student ID required for you alums in the area, though.

 

[Ranger Dan]

It was a very good movie, but a little slow at times.

 

[Beech Cricker]

Excellent movie--would recommend it. I knew nothing of the main character and was quite impressed with his dedication to the effort.

 

[Ranger Dan]

Spoiler alert: there are no graphic scenes with a person's head being vaporized by gunshot at close range, completely soaking bystanders in blood and brain matter.

 

[LionJim]

Saw "Bridge of Spies" in a theater. It's more substantial than "Argo" or "Catch Me If You Can" and Speilberg can block out shots like nobody else. It's very enjoyable, it's always fun to see Alan Alda and Amy Ryan in meaty roles and the foreign actors are excellent.

 

[ericstratton-rushchairman]

I found it to be a very solid 3.5 star movie. Enjoyed it very much.

 

[anon_xdc8rmuek44eq]

Spoiler alert: there are no graphic scenes with a person's head being vaporized by gunshot at close range, completely soaking bystanders in blood and brain matter.

I know what you're referring to - and S P O I L E R S!!! Seeing it on Monday!

 

[kgilbert78]

Old enough to remember the real world aspects of the movie. Portrayal is reasonably accurate and some of the comparisons and contrasts are spot on as they say.
Was on vacation with family in early 70's. Canceled Berlin portion of trip based on newspaper articles the week were scheduled to visit.

But that was a really interesting time to be in Berlin..... I went in 1973 as a HS junior. Folks were not happy with me when I came back, as they were afraid I'd be kidnapped by the "commies" (which did happen thought not teenaged kids). Glad I did--part of growing up. Went again in 1978 and back in 2005 and 2013 (I have friends now who were East Berliners). I have stories....

 

[LionJim]

But that was a really interesting time to be in Berlin..... I went in 1973 as a HS junior. Folks were not happy with me when I came back, as they were afraid I'd be kidnapped by the "commies" (which did happen thought not teenaged kids). Glad I did--part of growing up. Went again in 1978 and back in 2005 and 2013 (I have friends now who were East Berliners). I have stories....

My wife was an exchange student in Essen and I loved visiting them. I remember once getting sick in Florence and then by the time we got to Essen I hadn't eaten for a good three or four days. My goodness, how they took care of me, plied me with champagne and pastries. But no stories......