RoR: Forum

Yes, it's good. It's also long. Had it starred Wilford Brimley (below) and Tom Hanks, I would long ago have strangled my boyfriend who occasionally convinces me to sit through it. But I'd rather see Hopkins as Midas and Pitt as Danneskjold.

Post 1

Monday, January 15, 2007 - 9:07pm

     Brimley is as 'unique' as Hopkins, no two ways about it, be he a 'signature' actor or not. He would have been...interesting...in Hopkins' place.

     But, the movie-as-done, was absolutely 'worth seeing' at least once; haven't seen it a 2nd time, but do intend to. Pitt was 'good', and Hopkins (as usual) was 'great.'

     Personifying 'Death', especially as being 'curious' about humans' desire to not meet it/'him' is no easy feat for believeability, story-wise nor actor-wise. They did a great job on this movie.

LLAP
J:D

Post 2

Monday, January 15, 2007 - 10:27pm

Brimley was the lead in the early nineties on a family show on a major network where his character consistently promulgated the ugliest sort of "you should give you favorite toy to the kid you hate because it hurts you so" altruism. The show ran two or so seasons. I heard Brimley interviewed saying how he loved the opportunity to play such a part. Perhaps just what he was expected to say, but felt genuine.

Wasn't he also a hit man in the Firm, or am I now hallucinating?

He's the man I'd expect to see standing before the gates of hell in the counterpart to St. Peter's role in heaven. Gives me the creeps.

Pitt in Joe Black seemed to be reprising his Interview With Vampire role, just less bloody and a bit more lobotomized. Still a good, looongg film.

Ted

Post 3

Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 4:56pm

~ Yeah, Brimley was the 'enforcer' in The Firm. I thought he was best as the 'doc' in The Thing and was really good in Cocoon.

~ Never caught that TV-series...fortunately.

~ Now he does diabetes 'accu-check' commercials.

LLAP
J:D

Post 4

Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 6:42pm

Cocoon was the only film seen him in - and, of course, there're the diabetic ads floating all over the place.......

Post 5

Tuesday, January 16, 2007 - 9:56pm

I think he got the diabetic ads based on that evil show, whatever its name was. (probably avail on IMDb)

He was fine in the Firm, kinda well played against type. That film was so very good, and in my opinion, was the only film I've ever seen that was actually better than the book it was based upon.

My comments on Joe Black were assuming he would play the Hopkins role as an altruist. My loathing for Hanks is visceral. Hey - a great cast for James Tagart.

Ted

Post 6

Wednesday, January 17, 2007 - 6:22am

More on Wilford Brimley. Per Wikipedia his first film was The China Syndrome (1979). I saw it soon after release but don't remember him being in it. I didn't see Brubaker (1980). I saw Absence of Malice (1981). He had a small role, but he "stole the show." It probably assured his career. The next one I saw was The Natural (1984). I do recall him as the manager of the baseball team Robert Redford's character played on.

Post 7

Thursday, January 18, 2007 - 4:27am

It's been done.

Death Takes a Holiday (1934)
Death Takes a Holiday (1971)

(See www.imdb.com for details.)

Post 8

Thursday, January 18, 2007 - 6:11am

Michael,

It's well known that it's a remake. I liked this version better though :-)

Post 9

Thursday, January 18, 2007 - 5:54pm

It is definitely worth watching. Hopkins plays a character of honest with highest degree of ethics. Hopkins integrity is so high that even when the devil wants to take his daughter away, he won't compromise and he uses logic and reason as his guide. He loves his daughter more than anything on earth. Another view of his character (he has everything that you can imagine, money, power...), but when his time comes, he accepts his destiny easily and lets go. I have watched this film 2 or 3 times.

Post 10

Thursday, January 18, 2007 - 9:06pm

I was aware of the earlier films, but have not seen them. Are they worth bothering if they come on cable?

BTW Michael, I am on 237 of The Sparrow, and have already purchased Russell's other works. Jane Jacobs is in the mail, all three recently discussed titles. If only I had two heads.

Post 11

Friday, January 19, 2007 - 8:56pm