[distain Joined: Nov 12th, 2012 Topics: 1 Posts: 131 View Predictions]

#1204739460

Zuranthium wrote:

I’m not sure what you’re arguing towards then. “A solid job” doesn’t deserve an Oscar nomination. Top 5 out of all the Actors in an entire year needs to be exceptional, mindblowing, swoon-worthy.

Have you actually read Denzel’s reviews? According to the vast majority of them, Denzel as Macbeth was indeed “exceptional”. He’s got one of the best reviewed performances of the year, which is why he’s been nominated everywhere and won the Toronto Film Critics Association Best Actor Award.

His peers, like Ellen Barkin are on twitter calling his performance a “masterclass”. His peer group (SAG) also nominated him for Best Actor. Most people I’ve seen on social media seem to have nothing but praise for his performance.

Not everyone can like the same thing. So I understand your frustration, because I’ve often held a minority opinion myself. But looking at it objectively (reviews, social media and peer reactions), the majority of people appear to feel Denzel was indeed “exceptional ” as Macbeth. You don’t have to like it, but you can’t really change it. You subjectively think Denzel isn’t great as Macbeth. I subjectively think he’s given the best Shakespearan performance by an American actor since Marlon Brando in Julius Ceasar (better than Brando actually). It is what it is.

It’s all opinions at the end of the day, but what’s not subjective is that Denzel is probably getting Oscar nominated, and is peaking at the right time to be win competitive (especially with Smith not campaigning much for some reason). So I can see why some would be worried, especially if you are rooting for someone else in the race. Denzel may well pull an Anthony Hopkins like last year.

[distain Joined: Nov 12th, 2012 Topics: 1 Posts: 131 View Predictions]

#1204738654

Meanwhile, acclaimed actress Ellen Barkin is tweeting that she can’t stop watching The Tragedy Of Macbeth because of what she calls Denzel’s “masterclass in Shakespeare” performance. Lol!

I suspect Denzel is much closer to potentially winning the Oscar than being snubbed. Actors know what they are watching. Washington gives an incredible interpretation of the role.

I woke up, put on “The Tragedy of MacBeth” and took an early morning acting class from Denzel Washington. As I will again… tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow.

— Ellen Barkin (@EllenBarkin) January 19, 2022

Better. Denzel is an master class in Shakespeare.

— Ellen Barkin (@EllenBarkin) January 19, 2022

[distain Joined: Nov 12th, 2012 Topics: 1 Posts: 131 View Predictions]

#1204693860

My ranking o the cast performances in this order :

1 Denzel Washington
2 Frances McDormand
3 Kathryn Hunter
4 Corey Hawkins
5 Bertie Carvel
6 Moses Ingram
7 Alex Hassell
8 Brendan Gleeson
9 Sean Patrick Thomas
10 Richard Short
11 Harry Melling

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[distain Joined: Nov 12th, 2012 Topics: 1 Posts: 131 View Predictions]

#1204693781

FreemanGriffin wrote:

While I enjoyed the movie much more than you did and thought the supporting performers were all excellent – particularly Kathryn Hunter and Alex Hassell as Ross – I am wondering whether you could understand Denzel Washington during his soliloquies? I felt a strong need for closed captioning/subtitles and I am someone who has seen numerous film and stage productions of Macbeth over the years. I simply could not understand him. I think people are over-praising him because “he is Denzel Washington so he must be great” rather than actually assessing his actual performance in the movie. I honestly think he gives the film’s worst performance.

You are the definition of a “hater”. You don’t even seem particularly concerned about what people think about the film. You just have this strange need to convince everyone that Denzel Washington sucks. You are doing it on the Best Actor thread and have been called out for it by multiple posters. We get it already. You don’t like Washington in this (and as you said, you don’t like him in general, so you were probably always going to feel this way). That’s fine. But this is starting to look like a smear campaign to everyone and you refuse to stop. Why does it matter so much to you that people dislike Denzel because you do? Let people make up their own minds how to feel about his performance and stop being so blatantly insecure.

As I said on the other thread, I think Washington as Macbeth given the best film performance by an American actor in a Shakespearan lead role…ever. I’d probably have had Marlon Brando in Julius Ceasar at the top previously, but I think Washington has surprassed Brando’s performance in that. But that is just my opinion.

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[distain Joined: Nov 12th, 2012 Topics: 1 Posts: 131 View Predictions]

#1204692741

FreemanGriffin wrote:

I said NONE of the things you have projected onto me. I have been watching DW since St. Elsewhere in the 1980’s – he is one of those actors who I just don’t connect with. We get to feel that way. You spent an entire post attacking me – you have terrible reading comprehension. The Tragedy of Macbeth is one of my favorite movies of 2021! It’s #9 on my best films of the year list. One can love a film and have issues with a performance in it. The fact that people don’t stick up for me on here is sickening. I get to have my opinion! Grow up!

I think you need to grow up.

Everyone can have an opinion. But you aren’t automatically owed respect just because you have an opinion. You know the saying…opinions are like a**holes. Everybody got one. The fact that you think you can talk about one of the most respected actors ever like he’s some sort of community college scrub that needs expert advice from you and acting lessons from castmates and expect no one to challenge you on it, just shows how truly deluded you are.

Read the room.

[distain Joined: Nov 12th, 2012 Topics: 1 Posts: 131 View Predictions]

#1204692379

Monet Tejada wrote:

It’s okay to have an opinion, but it’s a bit condescending to suggest that DENZEL WASHINGTON should seek acting advice from Kathryn Hunter. lol Not to mention, bringing up the age thing is a bit ageist. I get it. Typically, a younger actor would have played this role, but adding a more seasoned act to the picture makes it unique. And I’m pretty sure not many people take issue with his age.

Funny thing is, Kathryn Hunter is clearly in awe of Denzel and his performance in Macbeth.lol! Nearly every interview I’ve read with Hunter has her singling out Washington as the main reason to watch this version of Macbeth. Hunter feels Washington speaks Shakespeare more naturally and effortlessly than any actor she knows. Hunter from interview with The Guardian:

” Denzel takes us deep inside Macbeth. It’s terrifying.He has a new minted way of speaking the lines as if it were his mother tongue”.

[distain Joined: Nov 12th, 2012 Topics: 1 Posts: 131 View Predictions]

#1204692317

Anyway, I presume Smith and Cumberbatch are still the frontrunners for now?

And who gets the 5th spot (presuming Smith, Cumberbatch, Washington and Garfield are safe)?

DiCaprio, Dinklage….?

[distain Joined: Nov 12th, 2012 Topics: 1 Posts: 131 View Predictions]

#1204692294

FreemanGriffin wrote:

I see. So someone who has a different opinion than you can not be taken seriously – I see. That is such a snobby attitude to have. We don’t all like the same performers! That does not mean we have the right to ridicule others or attack them.

I am very interested if people could understand what DW was saying in his soliloquies during The Tragedy of Macbeth? (only those who have actually seen it please). I have seen other movie versions and stage productions and understood every single word but I didn’t with his performance in this movie. I understood clearly every other actor in the movie at all times.

Washington’s performance reviews are generally outstanding and there are hardly any complaints from critics about him being difficult to understand. I understood everything he said perfectly. Maybe the problem is simply yours.

Anyway,you already started a The Tragedy Of Macbeth thread to complain about Washington’s performance on that thread also, so why don’t you carry it on there? Not sure what the agenda is, because you can’t seem to stop talking about this performance you don’t like. Don’t worry, he isn’t the frontrunner (yet), so you can slow down on the smear campaign!

[distain Joined: Nov 12th, 2012 Topics: 1 Posts: 131 View Predictions]

#1204692231

FreemanGriffin wrote:

^I disagree that he is one of the greatest film actors of all time. I don’t really like his acting very much.

LOL!

All makes sense now. I was right the first time. I don’t really need to take your opinion on anything regarding acting seriously at all.

Carry on.

[distain Joined: Nov 12th, 2012 Topics: 1 Posts: 131 View Predictions]

#1204692130

FreemanGriffin wrote:

Have you seen the movie? I find that most people who are snarking at me about this haven’t actually seen the movie.

Perhaps he should have consulted with Kathryn Hunter, who gave the most Shakespearean performance in the movie. Or perhaps they ought not have cast a 66 year old man in this particular role who has no ability to act in a Shakespeare play. He doesn’t give a good performance in this movie. The movie itself is superb because even though he is the lead the rest of the movie is teeming with life and is so visually stunning.

Washington has been acting in Shakespeare on stage since 1974. He’s been in Coriolanus, Othello, Richard III and Julius Ceasar. He also did Much Ado About Nothing on film. I don’t think he needs your advice on how to perform Shakespeare.

https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/actor-profile/denzel-washington

I think the other poster was just teasing you because your presumption
and arrogance and misinformation about this just seems ridiculous. Washington is one of the greatest actors of all time. He is a classically trained Shakespearian, Tony winning stage actor. And you are sitting behind your keyboard munching cheetos telling this guy what proper Shakespeare acting is like he is some Shakespearan novice and you are the Head of the Royal Shakespeare company.Lol!

It’s just hard to take seriously is all. Fair enough, you don’t like his performance. No one is saying you have to. But dying on this hill as if you are Laurence Olivier or something and Denzel Washington needs advice about Shakespearan acting from you is just eye-rolling stuff, imho. You aren’t in a position to tell Washington anything about Shakespeare or how to appropriately perform it. Just say you don’t like his performance and keep it moving. The other stuff undermines your opinion.

It’s like me giving advice to a heart surgeon on how to perform open heart surgery. I don’t have the credentials.lol!

[distain Joined: Nov 12th, 2012 Topics: 1 Posts: 131 View Predictions]

#1204691264

Germanswordfish wrote:

maybe Denzel should consult you the next time he’s doing Shakespeare

LOL!

[distain Joined: Nov 12th, 2012 Topics: 1 Posts: 131 View Predictions]

#1204691185

FreemanGriffin wrote:

I find it ironic that the only performance from The Tragedy of Macbeth that is likely to be nominated is the least effective one and the least Shakespearean: Denzel Washington’s Macbeth. I truly longed for subtitles/closed captioning during his soliloquies – they were really difficult to follow because his diction wasn’t very good in them. The standouts definitely were Kathryn Hunter in her six minute role as the weird sisters/witches and Alex Hassell as Ross but the whole entire supporting cast were great in their roles.

If you have seen the film and disagree, fine, but if you haven’t seen the movie having an opinion on it really doesn’t make any sense. I haven’t seen Cyrano and have no opinion on Peter Dinklage’s performance or his chances at getting an Oscar nomination.

I’ve seen The Tragedy Of Macbeth. You don’t know what you are talking about, and if that is your opinion on Washington’s performance, then I probably wouldn’t trust your judgement on anything regarding acting full stop.

Washington gives the best performance I’ve ever seen by an American actor in a Shakespearan film. Ever. As in the history of motion pictures. I’ve never seen an American actor deliver Shakespeare so effortlessly and naturalistically as him. He is better than Marlon Brando in Julius Ceasar as Macbeth.

Whether he wins or is nominated for an Oscar is neither here nor there, but purely from an acting craft standpoint, what Washington does in The Tragedy Of Macbeth is genius level and should be studied by any student of the craft.

[distain Joined: Nov 12th, 2012 Topics: 1 Posts: 131 View Predictions]

#1204591203

Well the LA Times Oscar Buzz panel has Denzel Washington as no.1 in their predictions for Best Actor, over Will Smith in 2nd.

BuzzMeter 2022: Our experts survey the Oscar season to come — and so can you https://t.co/sObts4FEGb

— Los Angeles Times (@latimes) November 20, 2021

[distain Joined: Nov 12th, 2012 Topics: 1 Posts: 131 View Predictions]

#1204580345

The Way of The Wind wrote:

Also Blanchett is a superstar when it comes to theater work. So the combination of being selective with movies and raves in the theatre, Blanchett is regarded as «the actress»

Kidman does less theatre than Blanchett, but she has been hugely regarded for her theatre work. Two Olivier Award Best Actress nominations and two Evening Standard award wins for her work in The Blue Room and Photograph 51. Even on stage, Kidman’s acclaim is world-class, just less prolific.

[distain Joined: Nov 12th, 2012 Topics: 1 Posts: 131 View Predictions]

#1204579811

Thespian wrote:

Nicole and berry are industry veterans and widely respected. It’s not big for them to get standing O. It’s a natural respect thing. Nothing to do with the quality of movie. As I said standing O have become a norm in festivals and award shows and this shouldn’t be equated with Oscar chances. Almost all get.

The significance of Kidman’s standing ovation was that she got it when the main cast and director were there, including two fellow Oscar winning actors. Aaron Sorkin is also an Oscar winning screenwriter and a pretty big deal in Hollywood as a filmmaker. Javier Bardem is a big hitter as a leading man and an actor and he is the co-lead. If this was just a festival audience being polite to a star/respected veteran, Bardem would have gotten it also. And probably Sorkin and JK Simmons as well, as major Oscar winning talents.

The crowd only got to their feet for Kidman. That was making a statement. That it’s her movie and her performance that bowled them over the most.

Berry’s standing O could well be what you are talking about (she is the director also)….being simply respectful to an industry veteran. But Kidman’s is clearly far more significant because of who was there with her. Bardem is a star and Oscar winner. Sorkin is a major filmmaker and Oscar winner. JK Simmons is an Oscar winner. All respected industry veterans. And no one stood up for them.Kidman’s standing O meant something more in that context. That there is a lot of love specifically for her performance in that room.