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Post by Kevin K on May 28, 2015 18:20:48 GMT -8
Death or Glory: This bait just didn't work for me. The underlying crime element is sound, and your supporting cast looks good, but Cranston seems to be a variation on Walter White, and the story is very familiar, with some elements that don't make a lot of sense. A misstep for you, but I'm sure you'll do better in the future.
Lost in the Supermarket: I wish I liked this one more than I do, as any bait with Bill Murray and Jamie Lee Curtis sparks my interest. The structure is odd in how often it doubles back to share backstory that isn't always necessary, and the main story in the present isn't all that interesting, aside from the faked death, which is so out-there and wacky that it feels like it belongs in a different, more farcical story.
The Adventures of Granny Tulip: Marci, you've proven yourself so good at dark, violent crime baits in the past... It's great to see something so light and whimsical like this, and it's incredibly well written as well! It's just fun and moving, and Alfre Woodward is a sure shot for my Best Actress Ballot. Definitely one of the best of this, or any, month.
Glass Jaw: Not all that groundbreaking as far as boxing movies go, and the Daniel Day-Lewis character is surprisingly thin, but Elba and Hardy (both of whom are underused in this contest) have juicy characters to play, and your writing is first rate.
Shadow Man: Your writing here... Just fantastic. Scary, emotional, and evocative. Aronofksy would direct the hell out of this, and Dylan O'Brien sounds like he would be a great choice for the lead. One of the best baits of the month.
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Post by Matthew on May 28, 2015 23:18:22 GMT -8
The Cay This is easily your best work this month Evan. Gavin Macintosh is quite an extraordinary actor, but I am so happy he shares the leading spotlight with Forest Whitaker, who absolutely kills it here. The story is a very inspiring one and a great change of pace for you Evan. I think you should write period pieces more, because you absolutely have a knack for getting the feel for the time. Great work A+
Canvass I love Miranda July very much - her film The Future was absolutely brilliant. I also love political comedies, and this is right up my alley. Ezra Miller is great in the lead role, and your supporting cast is equally excellent, but special mentions have to go to Aubrey Plaza and Louis C.K., both of which I feel are very well-cast. A
The Countrymen Of your three baits this month, I like this one the least. That isn't to say its bad at all, it just doesn't strike me in the same way your others do. I applaud you for having your lead character played by a non-mainstream actor. I could have very easily seen this role be cast with Tommy Lee Jones or Jack Nicholson, but you chose someone quite obscure, and I like that. Its an interesting story you have crafted here, so bravo! B+
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Post by Leeman on May 28, 2015 23:26:59 GMT -8
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Even though it isn’t considered a true Oscar bait, the pure passion and heart exemplified not only by the story by the proficient writing by Master Evan Peck Dunbar alone makes it an automatic contender. It is intelligent structured and the songs are of course phenomenal. A
The Adventures of Granny Tulip I literally went through this bait to find flaws because I couldn’t find any on first reading and I was exactly right. One of the best, if not the best bait I have ever read in this competition and I know its going to sound cocky but I will be really disappointed with this doesn’t win because Granny Tulip definitely deserves its. A+ (beyond)
The Bad in Each Other The styling of the two detectives is very tiresome, but that’s the only thing I don’t about the bait! It’s well written, well paced and you capture the essence and atmosphere of the bait really well. B+
Canvass Ezra Miller… enough said! He is brilliant! It is well crafted and I throughly enjoyed the political ins and outs the story conveyed! A-
The Cay Okay for the record, I really dislike shipwreck or anything out sea, as movies and as actually events. So, this bait struck the wrong chord with me. I just didn’t get. It’s well written and I can see it’s well crafted, but some parts just didn’t interested and seemed like stuff I’d seen before. C+
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Post by Kevin K on May 29, 2015 15:49:44 GMT -8
Witches, Salem, History: I applaud your creativity... It's not often we see a bait with such pure imagination. However, I had a REALLY difficult time following the plot. The jumping back and forth through time becomes disorientating and in the midst of the complicated and detailed world you've created, some of the characters get lost. That said, I am still fascinated by the mythology you've created and the characters played by Thwaites, Woodward, and Collins are very vivid.
The Cay: Throughout this bait I was thinking "I swear, if anything happens to that cat, he will face my wrath!".
Anyhoo, this was a very well written and moving, if a bit standard, survival story. I love the addition of blindness to give an extra level of danger, and Gavin Macintosh would be great in the role, as would Forrest Whitaker. Your choice of director is perfect, too.
Pieces of the Rainbow: your writing here is beautiful, and it's obvious how personal this material is to you. The anthology format gives you a lot of freedom in structure, and each of the stories are compelling in a unique and completely honest way. You've also got one of the best casts we've seen in a while. Great job and welcome back!
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee: Very funny, and the emotion and characters feel real... I get a real " Hairspray " feeling from this, and that is most definitely a good thing. Maybe it's a little too light for Oscar material, but I'd see this movie in a heartbeat.
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Post by Kevin K on May 29, 2015 19:24:31 GMT -8
The Bad in Each Other: Very well done. I love how you give each character their own scene and individual part of the narrative. It's rare for these shades of grey to be seen in a movie of this type, but you pull off the tricky task of making everybody sympathetic, even when their actions may be inexcusable.
Night Owl: The story is a little derivative of "The Departed", but I admire your unflinching way of depicting violence and other dark material. The actors are perfectly cast, and I like how the narrative shifts focus from Russell to Plemmons. It's not exactly groundbreaking, but as a crime thriller it hits all the right notes.
Thirteen Cents: I don't know why, but I'm just having difficulty engaging with this bait. Your cast is good and it was obviously something important to you, but it just felt like a series of unpleasant events, one after the other, with little relief. The fantasy elements in the last act were interesting... maybe if those were spaced throughout the story rather than simply at the climax it would have been more engaging. As it is, though, the writing is evocative, but I am simply left cold.
Long Walk Home: what a sad, sad story. It's a smart choice to tell the story in a straightforward manner, and the intimate scale might seem a little "small", but is probably the best way to do it. Maggie Smith and Brendan Gleeson are perfectly cast, and the writing is detailed and effective.
The Countrymen: Ramin Bahrani is absolutely perfect for this bait, and your cast of unknowns and character actors rings completely true as well. The story has a nice balance of grit and optimism, and I have a great deal of affection for movies that take place in middle America. Great job!
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Post by Deleted on May 29, 2015 19:45:46 GMT -8
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee - This is a perfect example of your ability to find effective vehicles for child actors. I love how each of their characters are defined with different quirks that truly illustrate the humor and tone of the story. I envision the film being sweet and cute. Which comes through clearly in your writing. Plus, your cast and choice of director seems believable.
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Post by Deleted on May 29, 2015 19:59:45 GMT -8
The Adventures of Granny Tulip - A very inventive and surprising story. I think Alfre Woodard is an inspired casting choice. I believe she would bring a phenomenal sense of depth to the character. I also love how you illustrate that this performance would be the main show in your press section. I commend you on thinking outside of the box and writing a treatment that isn't conventional to typical "Oscar bait" films.
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Post by Deleted on May 29, 2015 20:12:11 GMT -8
The Bad in Each Other - I thoroughly enjoyed this piece. Again, your characters are fully developed and given an opportunity to breathe in specific segments through out the bait. I particularly found the Mark scene to be interesting. Basically because this exemplifies a sense of context behind the relationships between the "victim" and individuals who knew him. Plus the line about the halls smelling like weed and masturbation had me chuckling. Good thing she had that hand sanitizer LOL.
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Post by Deleted on May 29, 2015 20:24:23 GMT -8
Canvass - I felt completely compelled by the situation the main protagonist was in. Stories involving the work place and hurdles that come with professional careers are always fascinating. Ezra Miller is perfectly suited to carry this film. I also enjoy your choice of director and most of the supporting cast. The Sophie character is such a bitch. I'm sure everyone has had a boss or worked with someone like that before. I know I have LOL.
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Post by Deleted on May 29, 2015 20:34:15 GMT -8
The Cay - A quality blockbuster film with intriguing characters and great casting decisions. You have a strength for describing scenes and allowing the story to constantly build with the introduction of pivotal roles and situations. Forest Whitaker would totally nail Timothy btw. I could imagine that West Indian accent in my head.
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Post by Deleted on May 29, 2015 20:42:33 GMT -8
The Countrymen - I was totally intrigued from start to finish. Films like this are always culturally relevant. Especially in today's under current of racism throughout certain sections of the States. As someone who has studied Arabic and Middle Eastern traditions, I felt sympathy and compassion for the Sayeed character. In many instances, we overlook the human qualities of immigrants who are simply here to make a better life for themselves. You do a sufficient job of capturing that notion.
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Post by Deleted on May 29, 2015 21:00:29 GMT -8
Death or Glory - Your attempt is admirable and seems very close to the source material. Not having seen the original film myself or read the book, I can't compare and contrast. As a story on its own terms though, I think it's a familiar yet almost intriguing bait. I can definitely sense what you were going for. With a few casting tweaks and plot changes, this could be stronger.
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Post by Deleted on May 29, 2015 21:07:56 GMT -8
Glass Jaw - Just like Death or Glory, this is a pretty conventional story. Especially because of the genre. However, I personally enjoyed most of the bait. Is the casting perfect? No. But I could see Elba doing a sufficient job in his role. Again, with a few tweaks this could be a lot stronger.
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Post by Deleted on May 29, 2015 21:14:02 GMT -8
Long Walk Home - Emotionally effective and tragic. I think Judi Dench would be phenomenal in this role as well. She'd bring as much pathos to the character as Smith would. I think your writing is very strong and truly grasps the sadness of the story.
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Post by Deleted on May 29, 2015 21:26:06 GMT -8
Lost in the Supermarket - I liked the initial set up. I thought Murray's character was intriguing. But it gets a little lost with too many plot points that get lost or aren't needed. I also feel that a different director would be more suitable. I understand Murray and Jarmusch have worked together before. However, I don't see his style meshing with this particular material.
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