tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post4296990282448097667..comments2024-02-10T01:22:29.316-08:00Comments on Hugo Stiglitz Makes Movies: Oliver Stone: Wall StreetKevin J. Olsonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17275402809912728035noreply@blogger.comBlogger13125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post-66778794037511715652010-09-27T05:48:51.478-07:002010-09-27T05:48:51.478-07:00I loved Michael Douglas, Martin Sheen I got to the...I loved Michael Douglas, Martin Sheen I got to the major support. Gordon Gekko with a significant presence and an elitist like this guy is untouchable. . But it just stares right through Martin Sheen and Gekko is a formidable opponent .. While Bud and others cower or fear 'father', sees through the rubbish. Love it.R4 cardhttp://www.farango.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post-37643650912674064372010-08-29T19:50:20.328-07:002010-08-29T19:50:20.328-07:00I'm mixed on this film, though I do love JFK, ...I'm mixed on this film, though I do love JFK, PLATOON, BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY and NIXON among his work. <br /><br />I see you are penning some terrific reviews here.Sam Julianonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post-40399296402628138452010-08-29T19:49:54.303-07:002010-08-29T19:49:54.303-07:00I'm mixed on this film, though I do love JFK, ...I'm mixed on this film, though I do love JFK, PLATOON, BORN ON THE FOURTH OF JULY and NIXON among his work. <br /><br />I see you are penning some terrific reviews here.Sam Julianonoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post-27052481820575825652010-08-28T22:42:20.332-07:002010-08-28T22:42:20.332-07:00Craig:
Thanks for the comment! I always appreciat...Craig:<br /><br />Thanks for the comment! I always appreciate it when you stop by. I'm glad you're enjoying the series so far...I definitely enjoy Stone's work, and I'm starting to get to the era of his (the 90's) that really resonates with me. I love what you have to say about how "hyper-aware" Stone is...when you mentioned that I immediately thought of Candy's performance in JFK, and then I saw that you put that down in your comment. <br /><br />Also, you're absolutely right about NIXON being the film that answered all of his critics who disliked his left-wing conspiracy theories in JFK. He actually succeeded in making me care about Dick Nixon. Incredible. <br /><br />The comparison to Altman is an interesting one, and I have to be honest I hadn't thought about it until now (just because their films are so aesthetically different), but you're right...one of the things that's really struck me looking back at his early films is how much breadth he gives his ensemble cast to do their thing. I'll be thinking more about this Altman comparison as I take a look at his most ensemble heavy films: JFK, NIXON, and ANY GIVEN SUNDAY.Kevin J. Olsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17275402809912728035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post-9892000357196655852010-08-28T22:37:44.015-07:002010-08-28T22:37:44.015-07:00Will:
Thanks for the comment. I like what you say...Will:<br /><br />Thanks for the comment. I like what you say about the elder Sheen's performance. Great stuff.Kevin J. Olsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17275402809912728035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post-80375718808653688202010-08-28T15:19:24.158-07:002010-08-28T15:19:24.158-07:00I'm enjoying this series on one of my favorite...I'm enjoying this series on one of my favorite filmmakers -- perhaps for me the most surprising of all the directors I like, since there's so many things about Stone that would prepare me <i>not</i> to like him.<br /><br />You delve into his aesthetic virtues (with <i>Wall Street</i> and in your previous posts) very well. To this I would add that Stone is extremely underrated with actors. For every actor cast for his iconic presence (like Douglas), there are always a handful deliberately cast against type: Berenger and Dafoe in <i>Platoon</i>, John Candy in <i>JFK</i>, Anthony Hopkins in <i>Nixon</i>. The list goes on. Stone is as good as Altman in bringing out surprises from his performers, uncovering new dimensions.<br /><br />The other thing I like about Stone is he's hyper-aware of his own image and often pushes against it. Accuse him of being a left-wing nutjob, and he paints relatively sympathetic portraits of Nixon and Bush. Charge him with misogyny, and he makes <i>Heaven and Earth</i>. Declare he has no sense of humor, and he does a funny cameo as himself in Ivan Reitman's <i>Dave</i>. I'm not saying these charges are inaccurate; just that, like all great artists, he frequently confronts them, and his art becomes better for it.Craighttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01450775188328918558noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post-80545609299464565572010-08-26T18:36:42.658-07:002010-08-26T18:36:42.658-07:00As much as I loved Michael Douglas in this, I got ...As much as I loved Michael Douglas in this, I got to give major props to Martin Sheen. Gordon Gekko is kind of this untouchable guy with an ego and an elitist appearance. . .but Martin Sheen just stares right through it and is a formidable opponent to Gekko. While Bud and others cower or revere, 'Dad' sees through the bullshit. Love it.<br /><br />My one gripe with the film is how dated it made itself with the pocket TVs and the brickphones. Minor gripe.<br /><br />As for against-type Michael Douglas roles. . .he was really fun in King of California.<br /><br />Great article and review. I may have to rewatch!Willhttp://secureimmaturity.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post-82398201875571927502010-08-26T11:04:11.646-07:002010-08-26T11:04:11.646-07:00Jake:
Thanks for stopping by and for leaving a co...Jake:<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by and for leaving a comment! I agree with you about how Douglas was "insanely perfect" for the role. It always amuses me to go back and see who the studios initially wanted for these roles that would become so big that we recognize the film because of them. I too am hoping for an angrier Stone in the sequel...I think the modern economy doesn't call for the same tone he had in 1987, and I'm really hoping he stirs the pot with this new film because every film he's released since NATURAL BORN KILLERS (even though I quite liked W.) has been pretty paint-by-numbers and benign. I hope the sequel has the much needed bite to it to reinvigorate Stone's career.<br /><br />Thanks as always for stopping by.Kevin J. Olsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17275402809912728035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post-20824248730611163712010-08-26T11:00:53.114-07:002010-08-26T11:00:53.114-07:00J.D.:
Ah yes, the limo scene. It's a crucial ...J.D.:<br /><br />Ah yes, the limo scene. It's a crucial scene for Bud as he tries to figure out how far he wants to go to be like his idol Gekko. It's a great scene. And I too love the introduction of Gekko with its manic pacing and constantly moving camera. Great stuff. I'm hoping for good things from the sequel, too. We'll see in about a month!Kevin J. Olsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17275402809912728035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post-59516194182353708342010-08-26T10:59:21.050-07:002010-08-26T10:59:21.050-07:00Shubhajit:
Thanks for stopping by! I agree with y...Shubhajit:<br /><br />Thanks for stopping by! I agree with you about Douglas' darker roles...I also like when he played against that type, too, with films like WONDER BOYS, which I think is his best performance.Kevin J. Olsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17275402809912728035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post-82541230843915101982010-08-26T08:44:56.133-07:002010-08-26T08:44:56.133-07:00Michael Douglas was so insanely perfect for that r...Michael Douglas was so insanely perfect for that role. I don't know how Kirk Douglas managed to pass down his ability to be a consummate jackass on-screen through his chromosomes, but damn it did Michael inherit that trait in spades.<br /><br />The movie itself is, as you say, surprisingly light given the circumstances, though I'll be interested to see how outraged Stone is this time out. In '88, he was just frustrated at the myopia of the haves and how they were screwing over the have-nots. Now, they've destroyed the world economy and ruined millions more than anyone could imagine. Much as Stone's preaching can be tedious, I actually hope he breaks out the righteous indignation (besides, he hasn't done so in a while and he also hasn't made a solid film in about a decade, though I did like W.)Jakehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09078001374402400232noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post-32198433657270670462010-08-26T06:41:14.932-07:002010-08-26T06:41:14.932-07:00I love this film also.
I love Gekko's first p...I love this film also.<br /><br />I love Gekko's first proper appearance (not counting the brief glimpse we get early on) - a whirlwind as the camera roves around him aggressively as he never stops talking, making deals, and truly embodying the phrase, “time is money.” This is such a fantastic way to introduce Gekko as it perfectly conveys what makes him so alluring to someone like Bud: he is always in control, he is smart, and he knows exactly how to get what he wants.<br /><br />Douglas dominates the movie with his larger than life character. He gets most of the film’s best dialogue and delivers it with such conviction. There is a scene between Bud and Gekko in a limousine where he tells the younger man how the financial world works, how it operates and lays it all out, pushing Bud hard to go into business with him. It is one of the strongest scenes in the movie because you really believe what Gekko is saying and how Bud could be seduced by his words.<br /><br />Anyways, great film and I am eagerly anticipating the sequel. Hopefully it will be a return to form for Stone.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08164105442273577128noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8785859730868628316.post-5341419952930145472010-08-25T22:47:53.354-07:002010-08-25T22:47:53.354-07:00I too quite liked Wall Street. The film has a conv...I too quite liked Wall Street. The film has a conventional narrative, as you mentioned, but despite that (or perhaps because of that) it managed to be eminently watchable and downright engaging.<br /><br />Michael Douglas certainly remains the best aspect of the movie. His enacting of Gordon Gekko has become legendary even in the business world - and everything that's wrong with it. His line, "greed is good" attained pop culture status, so to speak.<br /><br />I especially like Douglas when he's doing dark & disturbing role, as in films like Game, Fatal Attraction, etc. But Wall Street remains his crowning achievement.Shubhajithttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02040495040897333606noreply@blogger.com