Film: 'Walk The Line'

Subject: RE: Film: 'Walk The Line'
From: Little Hawk
Date: 31 Jul 06 - 12:49 PM

Okay....ya got two people here. A and B. They both go to see the same movie. A loves it. B hates it.

Which person had the better experience?

Subject: RE: Film: 'Walk The Line'
From: Bert
Date: 30 Jul 06 - 06:56 PM

I enjoyed the film but felt it dwelt a little too much on the negative side of his life. Could have done with a few more songs.

Subject: RE: Film: 'Walk The Line'
From: Scoville
Date: 30 Jul 06 - 05:08 PM

I thought it was very entertaining but I didn't think it was a great film. (On the other hand, I didn't exactly enjoy Capote but Philip Seymour Hoffman was in an entirely different class when it came to portraying him, than Joaquin Phoenix was in doing Cash. Hoffman was so good it was scary).

I didn't think the musical impersonations were that great, I didn't get any feeling of June Carter from Reese Witherspoon, and I didn't think the characterizations had any particular depth or were even that interesting. I'll be charitable to Phoenix and say that I definitely don't envy him the job of trying to portray Johnny Cash--I think even Elvis might have been easier; I've never seen him in anything else so I don't know anything about his acting ability. So, I thought it was better than most stuff Hollywood turns out, and I loved the yellow-and-red graphic poster, but I didn't think it was nearly as good or as interesting as either Capote or Good Night and Good Luck, although the intended audiences were different so I guess it's really apples to oranges.

Subject: RE: Film: 'Walk The Line'
From: Tweed
Date: 30 Jul 06 - 02:12 PM

Hmmm...GUEST, I don't understand that at all. It stunk??
C'mon, did you even watch it?

Subject: RE: Film: 'Walk The Line'
From: GUEST
Date: 30 Jul 06 - 01:04 PM

Thanks Barbara Shaw, you save me a lot of typing..

I have been a Johnny Cash and June Carter (Smith)(Cash) fan
for many, many years, since his first record.

I THOUGHT IT STUNK TO HIGH HEAVEN. Acting, Directing, Garbage!

Subject: RE: Film: 'Walk The Line'
From: Barbara Shaw
Date: 17 May 06 - 09:19 AM

I was a Johnny Cash fan, and I admired June Carter Cash mostly because of her Carter family heritage. However, I did not like the movie, didn't think much of the acting, thought Reese Witherspoon was miscast and didn't give me even a hint of June, didn't like the way Phoenix sang the songs, didn't like the complete glossing over of the betrayal and lack of integrity of the main characters.

That being said, I think Johnny Cash was a giant in the days of early rock (I listened to him as a very young teenager playing 45's) and his songs and persona were a big part of the history of American music.

Hollywood can do better than this.

Subject: RE: Film: 'Walk The Line'
From: GUEST,amergin
Date: 15 May 06 - 07:53 PM

I agree with Spaw with Capote....Hoffman WAS Capote....not just some guy playing him....

Anyways, I watched Walk The Line with my grandparents who are Cash fans as well...and we were all amazed at the stellar performances given in this movie....there are things I would have liked explored....but those are for another movie, another time...

Subject: RE: Film: 'Walk The Line'
From: Little Hawk
Date: 15 May 06 - 05:43 PM

It was a great movie. As for who was best actor this year...damned if I know. I haven't seen enough movies to have any idea about that.

Subject: RE: Film: 'Walk The Line'
From: freda underhill
Date: 15 May 06 - 05:26 PM

I saw it on the plane to Vienna. I thjought Phoenix was fantastic - a wonderful actor who brought to life an amazing man. Ditto for Reese W - she was brilliant. I loved it and will see it again.

freda

Subject: RE: Film: 'Walk The Line'
From: catspaw49
Date: 02 May 06 - 12:43 PM

Hey Whis.....I don't want to sidetrack this either and I apologize for the comments regarding the actors.....but I think I still disagree with ya'...(:<))

As to the Cash movie, I thought it deserved more attention than it got (outside of the actors). More music may have been nice but they told a good story without getting bogged down as biopics sometimes do. It was a nice mix of fact and fluff making for a real good movie.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Film: 'Walk The Line'
From: GUEST,Whistle Stop
Date: 02 May 06 - 09:41 AM

Not to digress into Oscar talk, but while I agree that Strathairn did a decent job of portraying Murrow, I think it was a much less challenging role. He basically had to look like Murrow (which he did, kind of, due at least in part to the makeup crew and the black-and-white format), and maintain a sort of impassive demeanor throughout the movie. He did it well, but Phoenix's task -- potraying a wider range of emotions, and making us believe that he was Cash despite the fact that we all know what Cash really looked, acted, and sounded like -- was much more difficult, in my opinion.

Subject: RE: Film: 'Walk The Line'
From: catspaw49
Date: 02 May 06 - 08:58 AM

Perhaps in another year Phoenix may have fared better but he lost to a far superior actor at the top of his game. If you haven't seen "Capote".....do so. Hoffman is absolutely eerie in his rendering of Capote.

And frankly, had Hoffman NOT won, Phoenix would also have been easily beaten as well by David Strathairn as Edward R. Murrow. I've now seen all three films and IMNSHO, the Cash film is a very weak third as is Phoenix.

Spaw

Subject: RE: Film: 'Walk The Line'
From: GUEST,Whistle Stop
Date: 02 May 06 - 07:32 AM

I thought the performances by River Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon were outstanding. I don't want to quibble about who got the Best Actor Oscar (I understand that Philip Seymour Hoffman, the winner, did an amazing job playing Truman Capote), but I thought Phoenix's performance was worthy of the prize.

As for the story, I pretty much knew the details going in. And for that treason, I would have liked to see more details: about Cash's love for music, about his appeal to his fans, about his place in the chaotic cultural scene of the 1960s (there was virtually nothing about his very unusual straddling of the cultural divide in those turbulent times), about June Carter's own musical/artistic journey, and a host of other issues. Some issues were just barely touched upon (like the bond between Cash and prison inmates), where I would have preferred that they be explored more fully.

Interestingly, I watched this movie on the same weekend that I watched "Good Night and Good Luck," about Edward R. Murrow's reporting and commentary on Joe McCarthy. I had the same reaction to both movies: while the performances were excellent, I already knew the outlines of the story, so I would have appreciated more insight into the personal dynamics that underlay the facts. However, I think that Ron is probably right; adding in the details I wanted would have lengthened these movies beyond the point where they would hold most viewers' interest.

Subject: RE: Film: 'Walk The Line'
From: GUEST,ud
Date: 01 May 06 - 12:54 PM

Johnny CAs is awesome

Subject: RE: Film: 'Walk The Line'
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 12 Mar 06 - 11:09 AM

"I too would like to have seen more of the other Carters"
"some cases incorrect guitars were used in the film, e.g. a 1950s scene where certain guitars were used which didn't exist in the 50s 'cos they didn't start making them until the 60s!"

These are relatively minor ommissions that I think would have bogged the film down in minutae. The story they were telling would have interupted with two many characters. The lineup of the Tennessee Two changed a number of times, and Luther Perkins death also had an impact on Cash.   

For a documentary, these items would have been necessary, but a film, even a bio-pic, has to condense facts.   Even Shakespeare made some changes in his historical plays.

Subject: RE: Film: 'Walk The Line'
From: Ron Davies
Date: 12 Mar 06 - 10:08 AM

Saw the DVD last night. Thought Phoenix was a dynamite Johnny Cash--if Reese got a Oscar,
he definitely should have. Really burning eyes, great at capturing the volcanic personality of the early Cash--and amazingly similar voice--both growling and sliding all over the place. And he did all the singing and playing himself--hard to believe whoever got Best Actor did more than that.

Similarities to the film Ray struck me--both coming up from really depressed and depressing backgrounds, both in the South, both (eventually) dealing successfully with severe drug issues, both with strong woman figures. Obviously it was even worse for Ray--with the race issue on top of everything else.

Slightly disappointed in "Walk the Line"s omission of Johnny's real turning point--which I understand was his low point winding up in a cave.

But you could sure tell why Johnny himself picked Phoenix to play him--and Phoenix did him proud.

Subject: RE: Film: 'Walk The Line'
From: GUEST,Mary ( guest)
Date: 12 Mar 06 - 09:36 AM

Pretty pathetic forum
Wasted my time ...reading foolishness !
GREAT FILM !

Subject: RE: Film: 'Walk The Line'
From: melodeonboy
Date: 11 Mar 06 - 06:35 PM

Someone mentioned on one of the other threads that in some cases incorrect guitars were used in the film, e.g. a 1950s scene where certain guitars were used which didn't exist in the 50s 'cos they didn't start making them until the 60s!

Yours pedantically

Subject: RE: Film: 'Walk The Line'
From: Sandy Mc Lean
Date: 09 Mar 06 - 08:44 PM

My wife & I watched the dvd last night. I thought that it was a good production and I will watch it again soon. I know there is no way in the world that in 2 hours you can tell the story of a person's life. I have been a fan of Cash since the Sun Record days so I knew a good part of the story beforehand. I do think it would be hard to follow for someone who knew little about the man though. It seemed to concentrate more on the lows of his life than the highs, and the flashbacks and jumbled timeframes could be confusing. I thought that I could see more of Johnny Cash in Pheonix than I could June Carter in Witherspoon. Her acting was fine but I had trouble seeing June in her character. I have some old videotape of Opry shows from the 50's and June had a stage energy that didn't come through in the film. In later years she was much more subdued than early in her career. I too would like to have seen more of the other Carters, especially Maybelle.
I also watched the directors cuts and found them interesting.
Someone earlier in the thread indicated that Cash couldn't carry a tune in a bucket. I would beg to differ, but his vocal gift was one of power and emotion making him one of the greatest singing storytellers.
   In any case I enjoyed the show !
                   Sandy

Subject: RE: Film: 'Walk The Line'
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 09 Mar 06 - 04:46 PM

en-en - the DVD was released in the U.S. last week. Studios are now releasing DVD's soon after the theatrical release in order to cut down on piracy.   Harry Potter was also released this week and King Kong and Narnia are coming out in a few weeks.

Subject: RE: Film: 'Walk The Line'
From: Windsinger
Date: 09 Mar 06 - 04:35 PM

(BTW: thanks to Joe and/or the clone that shifted this thread where it ought to be!)

Subject: RE: Film: 'Walk The Line'
From: Little Hawk
Date: 09 Mar 06 - 02:11 PM

LOL! Yeah, that must be it all right.

Subject: RE: Film: 'Walk The Line'
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 09 Mar 06 - 01:34 PM

no he's right Johnny Cash couldn't sing.

That's why we all only really remember him for his flower arranging ability; his individual dress sense,and the way he could make a fun statement with just two tomatoes and potato salad.

Subject: RE: BS: 'Walk The Line'
From: Little Hawk
Date: 09 Mar 06 - 12:57 PM

Cash's singing style worked. So did Dylan's. The results prove the point.

The music business is full of examples of unconventional voices that didn't follow the "rules" of conventional singing and yet worked marvelously. Louis Armstrong, for instance. I don't hear anyone criticizing him the way they do Dylan or Cash for some reason.

Subject: RE: BS: 'Walk The Line'
From: Windsinger
Date: 09 Mar 06 - 12:50 PM

IMO he couldn't carry a tune in a bucket.

He wasn't as mellifluous as many singers, true. But neither was Bob Dylan. Both are more songwriters and storytellers, with "singer" occupying a place somewhere lower on the ladder.   

Which is why a "stripped down" style probably worked best for both of them.

Slán,

~Fionn

www.geocities.com/children_of_lir

Subject: RE: BS: 'Walk The Line'
From: Little Hawk
Date: 09 Mar 06 - 12:43 PM

Very good film, I thought. Phoenix made a pretty good Johnny Cash. Reese Witherspoon made a superb June Carter.

Subject: RE: BS: 'Walk The Line'
From: GUEST,en-en
Date: 09 Mar 06 - 12:33 PM

Can't wait to see it !

How did you manage to get it so quickly on DVD, unless it was an illegal copy ? Is it already out in the states ?

Subject: RE: BS: 'Walk The Line'
From: DougR
Date: 09 Mar 06 - 12:17 PM

I never was a Johnny Cash fan. IMO he couldn't carry a tune in a bucket. But he had charisma. A friend of mine wrote one of their most popular songs and I did enjoy their rendition of "Jackson" though.

On a scale of five stars top, I would rate the movie two stars. One for him, and one for her.

DougR

Subject: RE: BS: 'Walk The Line'
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Mar 06 - 07:50 AM

Love Johnny & June & the Carters. Thought Joaquin and Reese were good (not as good as Hoffman as Capote, however--neither of them are THAT good of actors).

Movie wasn't that good, IMO.

Subject: RE: BS: 'Walk The Line'
From: Big Al Whittle
Date: 09 Mar 06 - 12:54 AM

I was a bit distracted by him being played by the Emperor out of gladiator - he looked beeter in a mini skirt.

However that said - I thought it was quite good in conveying the power of his music and recreating those early rock concerts. Didn't think there was enough about his very sensitive songwriting, his spiritual crises, his espousal of what must surely have been perceived as left wing causes in a mainly right wing establishment.

Johnny Cash wasn't a spoilt kid who started taking drugs every time the world was turning to his advantage - he was a great artist. I think Johnny Cash meant so much to his fans that there was no way they were ever going to get anything but a crude cartoon down in a film just two hours long.

Subject: RE: BS: 'Walk The Line'
From: GUEST
Date: 08 Mar 06 - 09:33 PM

I liked the film and I like johnny Cash and June Carter

Subject: RE: BS: 'Walk The Line'
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 08 Mar 06 - 05:07 PM

I thought it was Barney Fife

Subject: RE: BS: 'Walk The Line'
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 08 Mar 06 - 05:05 PM

"BF" just means "bloody fool" over here.

Subject: RE: BS: 'Walk The Line'
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 08 Mar 06 - 04:28 PM

If you have the DVD, be sure to check the DVD. I actually think some of the cuts should have been left in as it would explain the story a bit more, especially the check cashing scene.

Subject: RE: BS: 'Walk The Line'
From: Windsinger
Date: 08 Mar 06 - 04:15 PM

You live with a butt fucker?

Only metaphorically (i.e., he gets called that when he deserves it.)

Slán,

~Fionn

www.geocities.com/children_of_lir

Subject: RE: BS: 'Walk The Line'
From: fat B****rd
Date: 08 Mar 06 - 03:19 PM

I,m off to watch it on DVD when my wife finishes talking on the'phone.If I'm still awake that is.

Subject: RE: BS: 'Walk The Line'
From: catspaw49
Date: 08 Mar 06 - 03:11 PM

"The b'f brought it home on DVD last night."

You live with a butt fucker? I mean it's okay and all but I was just curious........

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: 'Walk The Line'
From: McGrath of Harlow
Date: 08 Mar 06 - 03:00 PM

More Carter Family songs would have been good.

Subject: RE: BS: 'Walk The Line'
From: Windsinger
Date: 08 Mar 06 - 02:56 PM

I liked it too...it struck me as odd that though Joaquin Phoenix looks nothing like Cash (beyond the fact that they both have/had distinctive mouth-scars!) as the film progressed, he seemed to be adopting his physical and vocal mannerisms more and more effectively.

The scenes when he was having those speed-freakouts were downright scary. Man's got crazy-eyes.

Slán,

~Fionn

www.geocities.com/children_of_lir

Subject: RE: BS: 'Walk The Line'
From: GUEST,Seaking
Date: 08 Mar 06 - 02:29 PM

Agreed. Best movie I've seen in a long time.

Subject: RE: BS: 'Walk The Line'
From: WFDU - Ron Olesko
Date: 08 Mar 06 - 02:08 PM

I thought the movie was very good, the performances were excellent. From everything that I read about Cash & Carter, the movie followed their story closely. One part that they did not highlight was the impact that Maybelle Carter had on Cash. From what I have read, her friendship was instrumental in his recovery.   Also, the film only showed June performing with Cash when the Carter Sisters and Maybelle were touring with him.   I can understand why the film producers dropped this since it would only have bogged down the script with too many characters and details that were not needed to move the essence of the story.

Highly recommended.

Subject: RE: BS: 'Walk The Line'
From: Windsinger
Date: 08 Mar 06 - 01:20 PM

OK, I thought I did that...there is something odd in Mudcatville.

Oh well.

Subject: RE: BS: 'Walk The Line'
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 08 Mar 06 - 01:18 PM

You need to select BS on the drop down menu for it to go into that section, anyway your query is music related so should be OK here.
Giok

Subject: RE: BS: 'Walk The Line'
From: Windsinger
Date: 08 Mar 06 - 01:15 PM

?!?

(Make that "above the line, question-mark?". Did this shoot to the non-BS area by default?)

Subject: BS: 'Walk The Line'
From: Windsinger
Date: 08 Mar 06 - 01:13 PM

The b'f brought it home on DVD last night.

As I was only peripherally familiar with Cash and his work (one would have to be living in a cave on Mars since the late 1950's not to be!) it was enlightening.

What did you Cash fans think of it?

Slán,

~Fionn

www.geocities.com/children_of_lir