Film-Tech Forum ARCHIVE: The Help (2011)

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Posted by Sam Graham (Member # 2889) on 09-03-2011, 06:32 PM:

CINEMA: Regal Colonnade Stadium 14, Las Vegas, NV
AUDITORIUM: 8
PRESENTATION: Mystery Meat DLP
PRESENTATION PROBLEMS: Some dickhead employee wandered in with his walkie talkie cranked up
RATING: Four stars (out of four)

Another Act III Stadium Riser with Regal seats. And awesome air conditioning. SOOO awesome air conditioning.

THE PLOT: Courage. Wackiness ensues.

Although set in a different era and with different themes, this movie reminded me a whole lot of "Fried Green Tomatoes" in its pacing, balance between humor and drama, and cinematography. They somehow made a movie with a racial divide theme fun to watch. It's perfectly balanced.

Several powerful performances are getting Oscar buzz.

Posted by Mark Lensenmayer (Member # 134) on 09-03-2011, 07:53 PM:

Don't let the hype fool you...this is NOT a "chick flick".

This is an outstanding movie. Viola Davis should get a well deserved Oscar nomination for this one. Her character shows a weariness that shows how hard it was to be a maid in Mississippi.

Octavia Davis as Minnie gets the biggest laugh in the picture. She should get a supporting actress nomination...she is terrific.

The picture is long at 146 minutes, but moves very well. It really held my attention.

My rating -- A-
Wife rating -- A-

Posted by Tony Gallimore (Member # 5358) on 10-15-2011, 11:29 PM:

I was a little reluctant... ok a lot reluctant to try this one on for size, but was I surprised! One of the best flicks this year. I'm hearing the same thing from friends who were not too pumped to see it and came out totally converted. Awards are in order!!

Posted by Mike Blakesley (Member # 26) on 10-17-2011, 06:31 PM:

I did not see this one -- just happened to be out of town when we played it. But I am curious how come every time a black woman is in a drama, everyone starts yelling that it's an Oscar-worthy performance. Seems to happen every year, ever since Oprah was in "The Color Purple."

(I guess it's because if you say a black woman gives a bad performance, that makes you a racist.)

Posted by Jeremy Jorgenson (Member # 2989) on 10-30-2011, 12:30 AM:

quote: Mike Blakesley
But I am curious how come every time a black woman is in a drama, everyone starts yelling that it's an Oscar-worthy performance.

Every time? I must have missed the discussion about Beyonce's snub by not getting nominated for Obsessed.

Posted by Kurt Zupin (Member # 2751) on 10-30-2011, 02:32 AM:

quote: Jeremy Jorgenson
Every time? I must have missed the discussion about Beyonce's snub by not getting nominated for Obsessed.

To be fair that was more of a thriller then a drama, crazy white girl doesn't really scream drama [Big Grin]

Posted by Jeremy Jorgenson (Member # 2989) on 10-30-2011, 04:22 AM:

I'd say a thriller is part of the drama genre. In any case Obsessed sucked!

Of course, that's off topic. The Help was quite enjoyable.

... should get some Oscar nods. [Razz]