The Power Of The Dog *****
Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons, Kodi Smit-McPhee, Peter Carroll, Thomasin McKenzie, Alison Bruce,Adam Beach, Sean Keenan, Alice Englert, Francis Conroy, Genevieve Lemon and Keith Carradine
Director: Jane Campion
Distribution : Netflix Films,New Zealand Film Commission,Bad Girl Creek,Max Films,Cross City Films, See-Saw Films and BBC Film
Duration Running Time : (approx) 2 Hrs 6 Mins. (126 mins)
Certification Rating Certificate : 15
Dame Elizabeth Jane Campion - DNZM - born April 30, 1954, in Wellington, New Zealand, is in fact a film director, producer and also a screenwriter.
In 2016, at the New Year's Honours, Campion was appointed a Dame Companion of the New Zealand Of The Order Of Merit - DNZM - for her unique services/contribution to cinema.
Just for the record, the DNZM is actually known as 'The New Zealand Order of Merit' but 'is in fact' - 'The Order Of Merit' for short and also based in 'The New Zealand Royal Honours System' - it was 'established by Royal Warrant' on May 30, 1996, by Elizabeth I, Queen Of New Zealand.
She also became the first woman to be nominated “twice” for Best Director.
By 1993,'twenty-three years earlier' she was also the first female film director to win the 'Palme D'or' Award at the Cannes Film Festival for 'The Piano' featuring Holly Hunter, Sam Neill, Harvey Keitel and Anna Paquin and which she also 'won the Academy Award' for 'Best Original Screenplay' and the film itself has 'a superb score' by Michael Nyman and also includes 'the acclaimed piece' which is entitled as 'The Heart Asks Pleasure First' - this 'acclaimed musical piece' won Nyman a BAFTA Award for 'Best Original Score'.
Both Hunter and Paquin won Oscars for their unique performances in both the 'Best Actress' - and also the 'Best Supporting Actress' categories for both Hunter and Paquin.
Paquin is only 'the second youngest actress' to win the award for 'Best Supporting Actress' since Tatum O'Neal won 'the coveted Award' back in 1973, - 'as the first ever youngest actress' when she appeared opposite Ryan O'Neal - 'her father' in 'Paper Moon' and directed by Peter Bogdanovich.
This was in fact -'a black and white drama'- and is set during 'The Great Depression of the 1930's where in the Mid-West state of Gorham,Kansas,- 'CIRCA' -1936 - where Moses Pray (Ryan O'Neal), a 'con-man'/'hustler' who finds himself 'saddled'- 'as you do' - with Addie Loggins (Tatum O'Neal), a 'young girl' at the age of 'nine' is a daughter of a mother whose just 'passed away'.
The 'two' first meet at a funeral parlour and they soon 'spark up' as a unique friendship between the two soon blossoms in this 'comedy-drama' of a 'road-movie'.
Now, 'Paper Moon' is classed as 'a comedy-drama' and that it also 'resembles the movies of maverick film directors such as John Ford - for it is without doubt classed as 'a pure escapism' movie where as we -'the general public' - can go along to a movie theater at a time where we can escape our everyday troubles of today and also step inside a movie simply because everyone can enjoy this - because movies are simply a unique entertainment that include many choices of simple pleasures and also 'the one' where we can all enjoy the moments - after all 'moments of seeing a movie in a movie theater that is not only 'the ultimate experience' but it can also turn into 'memories' which lasts longer and also powerful in all our lives.
'The Power Of The Dog' is classed as a 'slow-burning psychological Western drama' and is also based on the novel by Thomas Savage which was originally first published in 1967.
The meaning of 'The Power Of The Dog' - refers to a Bible Verse that's found in 'The Bible - in particular from Psalms Chapter 22-Verse 20-and also by the way of a 'parallel verse' - it also reads from the following: - 'Deliver My Soul From The Sword, My Darling From The Power Of The Dog'.
However, 'six years earlier' - 2017, Campion, an 'acclaimed writer-director' who had just completed filming 'Top Of The Lake' - 'the second season'.
'Top Of The Lake' is in fact a 'mystery-drama' series, which was written by Campion and Gerard Lee and was also directed by Campion and Garth Davis.
The series first aired on BBC2 in 2013 and also 'the follow-up' to the first series entitled as 'Top Of The Lake' : China Girl aired also on BBC2 in 2017, - 'four years later'.
The 'mystery drama' also featured major stars such as Elizabeth Moss, Nicole Kidman, Gwendoline Christie, David Wenham, Peter Mullan, David Dencik and also Hunter - 'an Oscar-Winning actress' who starred in Campion's 'The Piano', but all these major stars have either 'appeared' in this or in any other films that were directed by Campion herself.
The 'central' character of 'Top Of The Lake' focuses on Robin Griffin, (Moss), a detective based in Sydney, Australia, & over the course of the 'two seasons' specialises in a major case involving 'sexual assault'.
The role was originally given to Paquin after her 'Best Supporting Actress' performance in 'The Piano' - but had to decline the role as she was pregnant.
In January, 2013, at the 'Sundance Festival' the drama series of both parts was screened in its entirety, - this means that it was shown in a 'single seven-hour session' with only 'one intermission' and also 'a break for lunch' and for the festival that screened this mystery drama - it became the 'first-ever screening' in history.
The history of the 'Sundance Film Festival' known as The Utah/US Film Festival and was originally situated in Salt Lake City, was founded in August,1978, by Sterling Gray Van Wagenen, the Head of Wildwood Enterprises (Robert Redford's film company) and John Earle of the Utah Film Commission and that the Sundance Film Festival that is organised by the Sundance Institute, is also the largest Independent Film Festival in the US.
The first ever films that were shown in 1978 at the US/Utah Film Festival were as follows : - 'Deliverance' - 1972, 'Midnight Cowboy' - 1969, directed by John Schlesinger and featured Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman - it was also 'the first 'X' Rated certificate to win a 'Best Picture' Oscar, 'A Streetcar Named Desire - 1951, directed by Elia Kazan and featured Marlon Brando, Vivien Leigh, Karl Malden and Kim Hunter, 'Mean Streets' -1973, directed by Martin Scorsese featuring Harvey Keitel and 'Sweet Smell Of Success' -1957, directed by Alexander MacKendrick with Burt Lancaster and Tony Curtis.
Now the goal of the festival was to showcase 'American-Made films and also highlight the potential of the 'independent Films' or even 'INDIE' that are shown in Independent Cinemas such as HOME - situated in First Street,Manchester and SHOWROOM - situated with 'The Workstation, at 15 Patemoster Row,Sheffield, South Yorkshire, in general.
By 1981, the Festival was moved to Park City, Utah,and also the dates were changed from September to January, the move was co-operated by Sydney Pollack, an Oscar-Winning producer,director and also sometimes actor and also renamed it as the US Film and Video Festival.
Finally, in 1984, it was renamed as The Sundance Festival in honour of Robert Redford.
This all-time American Western - directed by George Roy Hill - and which is - 'loosely based on fact' - chronicles the story of Robert LeRoy Parker - aka Butch Cassidy and Harry Alonzo Longabaugh - aka The Sundance Kid - as 'two wild-west outlaws' - is actually 'the real-names' of both the outlaws of the wild-west.
Once a year, - normally in January - many filmmakers arrive at the Festival - simply by 'showcasing their finished product' which is screened at the event and the effort is to attract future film makers who not only attend and that they win a prestigious prize because their journey starts here and who knows one day that their 'finished product' can win 'the big one' - known to many as -'The Ultimate Prize' in Hollywood, because ' - 'winning an Oscar' is in fact - 'The Holy Grail' in cinematic history of 'all-time'.
One example on how a movie is 'first premiered at Sundance' and followed its epic journey by winning many awards along the way is 'CODA'.
The story of the film is quite really classed as ‘one of those movies that makes you observe what’s happening and chronicles on a character called Ruby Rossi, (Emilia Jones - who also happens to be the daughter of Aled Jones MBE - Member Of The British Empire).
Jones as you know, was a former chorister and also had a hit with 'Walking In The Air'- which was used in 'The Snowman back in 1982 - 'forty years ago' -this was an 'animated' cartoon lasting 'twenty-eight minutes' and also shown on Channel Four every December, and Jones was also a tv presenter on shows like 'Songs Of Praise' and even 'Homes Under The Hammer' - 'the early years' as well.
In November 2017, Jones was being investigated by the BBC for 'inappropriate behaviour' as a result he was dropped for a short time by appearing on programmes for the BBC,- this was in fact - his own choice and not just because that he 'personally requested this' by himself, however by January 2018, - 'two months later' the BBC Corporation 'subsequently dropped its original investigation' and Jones was 'reinstated' by the Corporation.
Jones currently works as a Radio DJ on various radio stations such as 'Classic FM' - a commercial broadcaster specialising in Classical music and BBC Radio Wales , - a Welsh-English broadcasting network.
Anyway 'CODA' - follows Ruby who as a CODA - meaning 'Child Of Deaf Adults' is in fact - 'the only HEARING person’ in her deaf family.
However, when the family's fishing business situated in Gloucester, Massachusetts, USA, is threatened, Ruby finds herself 'standing at the crossroads' at a critical point in her life and is 'torn between two obstacles' - either pursuing her unique passion at Berklee College of Music and who also happens to be 'a high school senior' and signs up to join as a member of the school choir because she has a 'passion' for singing her heart out and that she has 'a unique gift' - for it is that when she 'sings like a bird' - her emotions erupt and for a while she becomes free - now this is because she works out on her daily chores and helps out her family whenever she can because she tries her best or she can lose out on her dream and carry on helping out with her deaf family.
When 'Coda' had its world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival on January 28, 2021, - this was classed as part as 'one of the opening day films' but also that in contention the film was also screened as part of the festival's US Dramatic Competition and also won 'four major prizes' at the film festival - notably - US Grand Jury, US Dramatic Audience, Special Jury Ensemble Cast Award and also in the US Dramatic Section, an Award was given to Sian Heder, the film's director as Best Director.
Then on January 30,2022, - “two days later” - an amazing thing happened that would change everything after the world premiere at the Sundance Film Festival, - the film was in fact - ''snapped up'' by Apple TV+.
Apple TV+ is in fact an American subscription streaming service that is owned and operated by Apple Incorporated - Apple Inc.
The streaming service was launched on November 1,2019, and offers a ''various selection'' of original productions of films and television services called - ''Apple Originals''.
However, think of it as your own ''selection box'' - where in a selection box that's inside - you get a 'selection' of chocolates that's inside the box - but with this - all you get is - 'a selection of original programmes and movies' that's specially created as 'An Apple Original'.
Now the service itself - ''six months''- between September 2021 - March 2022, was in fact - 'the home to critically-acclaimed original content & also that Apple TV + 'netted and bagged' - the triple-award winning movie collecting Oscars for 'Best Adapted Screenplay', 'Best Supporting Actor' - Troy Kotsur and also 'Best Picture'.
However just before the Oscars Ceremony on Sunday March 27,2022,- “Coda” was considered to be “an underdog” where as “The Power Of The Dog” was actually - the favourite to sweep the lot, including the award for 'BEST PICTURE' - which, by the way was also - ''the biggest surprise'' of the night.
But also that the Oscars can predict many surprises and that 'CODA' - then the underdog - has also turned out to be - the favourite - because let’s face it audiences like a story that is also powerful and it becomes - a feel-good movie - that many people enjoy - despite its subject and also becomes an outstanding piece of film-making.
Incidentally, this film is now being 'reissued' following its 'triple Academy Award -Winning accolades and will now be returning back to movie theatres that are shown on the big screen with subtitles 'especially' for those that are deaf and also 'hard of hearing because many movie audiences can follow what’s happening on the big screen.
Then on Sunday March 27, 2022, at the 64th Academy Awards - the movies success was 'overshadowed' by a confrontation that 'in my eyes' - wasn't “staged” in the script because it was 'LIVE' and also shown to the entire world between Chris Rock - 'a Comedian' and Will Smith 'an Oscar-Nominated actor.
Now, Rock it seems made fun of Jada Pinkett-Smith's shaved head - this was GI Jane featuring Demi Moore and that Will saw 'the funny side of this as a joke' only to come back minutes later and 'smacked him live on stage' - bet your life that 'he never saw that coming' - and just for the record Will Smith came back on stage minutes later and won 'Best Actor' for his performance as 'King Richard' - that's the father of 'tennis sensations' - Venus and Serena Williams - and not the other 'King Richard' who's 'remains' were eventually found in a Leicestershire car park.
When Smith came on stage to accept his BEST ACTOR AWARD for his outstanding performance,he made a tearful apology to the Academy and to his fellow nominees including Denzel Washington who was also nominated for his performance in the Best Actor category in The Tragedy Of Macbeth also featuring Frances McDormand who’s married to Ethan Coen and is directed by Joel Coen - Ethan’s brother - but didn’t apologise to Rock at the time - it was days later when Smith finally built ‘his bridge’ and apologised but that both parties involved claimed that it was water under the bridge and that the unfortunate incident between them had finally come to a conclusion and also just for the record The Tragedy Of Macbeth is in fact - An Apple Original.
The Oscars are classed as 'The Greatest Show On Earth' and the previous shows in the last two years were muted due to the Pandemic - or COVID-19 as its known - this year of 2022 needed a 'pick-me-up' well 'this certainly was it' and it was one of the best that I'd ever seen in living memory and it certainly 'brightened up' my day or let's just say - 'my year' - but you could say that this was in fact 'one of the all-time greats' in the history of the Oscars since Warren Beatty and Faye Dunaway two of the original stars that appeared in the 'gangster classic' of 'Bonnie And Clyde originally released back in 1967 and celebrating its 55th Anniversary read the wrong movie for Best Picture on the card and saying 'La La Land' instead of 'Moonlight' released in 2016 - 'which IN FACT DID WIN THE AWARD FOR BEST PICTURE in 2017.
However, think of the Oscars as their version of the UEFA Champions League Final where the 'creme-de-la creme' of European Football Teams compete for 'The Greatest Prize On Earth' - in which 'the winners' become Champions, while the 'runners-up' become the second-best team as best they could - but they still lost - and like 'Bullseye' - the original quiz show hosted by Jim Bowen plus Tony Green as the scorer where you won all the nine prizes on the wheel and then 'took a gamble' on the BIG ONE - and LOST THE LOT - just on the throw of a dart then Uncle Jim would give you 'a consolation prize' consisting of a Bullseye doll which is ideal for Granny Ridgeway to use as a playmate because she has a collection of dolls especially rubber ones in her establishment and also would then say 'LOOK AT WHAT YOU COULD HAVE WON - AND FAILED' before giving you your 'BFH' - that's your 'Bus Fare Home' as well as your Bully ‘aka a rubber doll plus a set of darts and also your tankards - for men and also goblets - for ladies - because after all - it's a long journey back to your establishment, - say for example - 'Dukinfield' ! .
The original quiz show had 'famous catch-phrases' like 'Super Smashing Great' ! and also 'Look Have What You Could Have Won' ! .
But when the show was redecorated and hosted by Dave Spikey with Tony Green 'reprising his role' -as the scorer- they added a new catch-phrase like - ''YOU'VE HAD A GREAT DAY OUT, BUT YOU'RE GOING HOME WITH NOWT'' ! - it of course 'ruined the format'.
When you're remaking an original product you don't start damaging its limitations - ie: altering the making of its original format because the original creator/inventor of this has in fact 'done their very best' restoring 'this product' to its original features, and after all 'the original creator' has in fact 'taken its time, to prepare and also to make sure that this is 'a success' in the markets of life,but also the fact that IF YOU EVER DAMAGE THE ORIGINAL PRODUCT MATERIAL then it’s likely that you’ll end up in a court of law where the lawbreaker meets the creator maker and the decision lies with the FINAL VERDICT - but if I were you then you should read the TERMS AND CONDITIONS or in the words of Dion Dublin, star of ‘Homes Under The Hammer’, - Always Read The Legal Pack - for it could save your life as well as solving out a problem but also creating a solution.
--NIVANEA
1 年?THE POWER OF THE DOG? ?????????????? ??Great Actors Together ?