Blu-ray Review HTF Blu-ray Review: THE GHOST WRITER (1 Viewer)

[Brian Borst]

Wow, I thought I understood this movie, until I read this thread . I thought it was a great movie, but I don't really know if it's a must-buy. The problem that many thrillers have is that once the element of surprise is gone, there's not much left to enjoy. Maybe I need to judge that for myself. Nevertheless, strong acting all around. I didn't even know Kim Cattrall and James Belushi were in this, and seeing Eli Wallach is always a great pleasure.

One thing that threw me off, though, was the obvious use of green screen. It's odd that after years of CG effects, one of the simpler things is so hard to get right. Or maybe it's just me.

 

[TonyD]

Cold have been intentional. This move ws Hitchcockian and most of his movies had that look.

 

[Yumbo]

Brilliant including the score!

 

[Brian Borst]

Originally Posted by TonyD

Cold have been intentional. This move ws Hitchcockian and most of his movies had that look.

Yeah, maybe. Or just bad effects.

 

[Yumbo]

Does the album cover of the score add to the openness of the ending?

 

[TonyD]

Originally Posted by Yumbo


Does the album cover of the score add to the openness of the ending?

Openess? What openess?

 

[Edwin-S]

I'm curious about that myself. The ending seemed pretty concrete to me.

 

[Yumbo]

 

Is someone dead if there is no body?

 

The score album cover captures time in motion?

Undead?

 

Zombie sequel?

 

[Edwin-S]

In the case of that ending......

 

 

yes.


Also, you probably should spoilerize that first line. I'm sure there are a lot of people that still haven't seen this film.

 

[Yumbo]

Anyone else make the connection between the conspiracy plot of the movie and the the parallel with the production of the movie?

 

Trouble for the writer = trouble for the director?

 

[TonyD]

Wasn't that addressed in the introduction section of the review?

 

[Yumbo]

The review doesn't allude to that.

 

I just find it highly coincidental that when Polanski works on this movie there is a concerted effort to stymie him that has never been seen before.

 

Especially when Blair's actual memoir hits the street last week, and having seen the movie, art imitating life (and vice-versa) takes on a new dimension.

 

[Edwin-S]

Originally Posted by Yumbo

Anyone else make the connection between the conspiracy plot of the movie and the the parallel with the production of the movie?

 

Trouble for the writer = trouble for the director?

What I mostly noticed, that might have a parallel to his life, is the turmoil caused by a criminal accusation and the type of responses that follow.  

 

[Aaron Silverman]

Finally watched this yesterday. It went off the deep end, but I enjoyed it anyway. The re-dubbed f-bombs (there were two that I noticed) made me laugh but didn't detract from the film. Kim Cattrall's phony accent was hilarious; other comments I'll spoilerize.


I want to mention that the three featurettes were really fantastic -- some of the best 10-minute extras I've ever seen (aside from the incessant movie clips between comments). I especially liked Robert Harris' description of how the story came together.


Just a quick note on Polanski's legal "adventures" -- if you can find the recent Larry King (!) interview with his victim and her lawyer, check it out. They go into great detail about what really happened and all the legal maneuverings that have followed. (Yes, Larry King!)



The "Omnipotent, sinister CIA" cliche bores me in general. I just treated the film as fantasy and let it slide. That Cattrall invited MacGregor to the party at the end made me wonder if she wasn't Ruth's handler herself. The guy who shot Brosnan is an interesting question -- I'm inclined to believe that he was a lone wacko, but that theory leaves open the question of how he managed to get into an airport with a rifle, let alone an airport where a major political figure is about to appear. Most likely a formerly lone wacko who had help.

 

[Stefano B]

What do you think are the chances for this, which I consider one of Polanski's finest works, to get the UHD upgrade?