The Descendants

Thanks cindi.....my bluray is due in about
a week now.

I need to watch it AGAIN!!!

Alexander Payne is in the jury of the Cannes film festival, starting... well1 hour ago. Watched the opening ceremony, and guess what ad played during the show ? nespresso ! double treat for me

This is a coincidence....my blu-ray is due to be delivered TODAY !

Can't wait to see it again




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THE DESCENDANTS Blu-ray Review
by Brad McKay
Posted:May 19th, 2012 at 7:00 am


Living in paradise is not as glamorous or care free as many outsiders may believe, and the King family is a perfect example of it. The Descendants, an Alexander Payne film adapted from the novel of the same name by Kaui Hart Hemmings, follows Hawaii-based lawyer Matt King (George Clooney) on his painful, yet often comedic quest to reunite his family after his wife suffers a tragic accident. While the film tugs on heart strings towards the end, it mostly infuses audiences with almost uncomfortable laughter and anticipation for when the story will kick into gear. Hit the jump for our review of The Descendants on Blu-ray.

When Matt hears his wife is in a coma following a boating accident, he finds himself alone for the first time in his life and having to take care of two daughters he knows little about. His career has kept him away from his family for years, and while it afforded them a life of relative luxury, it kept him from spending time with those he loves. A fish out of water is putting it mildly. His youngest daughter, Scottie (Amara Miller), has a sassy imagination and weirdness about her that Matt can’t begin to understand, and his eldest daughter Alex (Shailene Woodley) is a recovering drug user who has no qualms with speaking her mind in the foulest way possible. Though he feels ill-equipped to deal with his family, he knows he’s the only person who can, and the one person his daughters need the most.

The movie has an interesting story to tell, one of making up for one’s shortcomings and working through even the most difficult of situations with perseverance and love. Unfortunately it feels as though the narrative never truly takes on a life of its own, leaving the audience waiting for a spark that never comes. The journey from accident to realization and eventually resolution drags through various scenarios that aren’t dull, but not thrilling either, but just interesting enough to keep you thinking they’ll eventually pick up. The narration by Clooney in the beginning attempts to convey background story to the audience, but as a side effect, kills the flow of the film. It would have been more interesting to see the information flow from the scenes themselves.

About one and half hour into the film is where things actually begin to happen, as Matt and Alex’s quest for simultaneous revenge and catharsis brings them head to head with the target of their mutual hatred. It’s the actual confrontation itself that sucks audiences in most and gives the juicy, emotional scene they’ve been craving. And instead of falling flat soon after, the story cradles viewers through the rest of the film until its climax. The action may be past, but there’s still good story left to see, and it plays out far more interesting than the first half of the film.

There couldn’t have been a better cast for this film. George Clooney is a flawless Matt King, and perfectly plays the role of a man so disjointed in his life that he’s almost robotic. Shailene Woodley is fiery and authentically sells her character to audiences. Overall, it’s Amara Miller who provides the most powerful performance of the film. She’s a quirky, fun young girl who makes even strange situations both comical and warm, and supplies the film’s most emotional scene. While the other actors may illicit a sigh from viewers, Amara may actually pull a tear or two from even stone hearts. Without this stellar cast, the film wouldn’t have near the impact it does.

The soundtrack of the film plays well into the balance between heavenly scenery and tumultuous situations. Few slow, saddening tracks play during key scenes, but instead a medley of melodious tunes reinforces the Hawaiian feel with authentic drums, rhythm guitar, and soft singing. It reinforces the sentiment that the island’s natural beauty is in conflict with the harshness that each character is living through.

The trending Blu-ray and Digital Copy format provides movie owners a break from choosing to bolster their budding Blu-ray collection or broadening their DVD selection. The Blu-ray navigation menus are clear and easy to navigate, and the quality is what one would expect from the format. The scenes of the Hawaiian ocean and landscape will inspire dreams of vacations far away, even down to the rustic restaurants the characters frequent.

While the digital copy is just the movie itself, the Blu-ray does feature a few interesting extras that are worth checking out. Working with Alexander gives viewers an inside look in the creative mind of director Alexander Payne; how he interacts with the crew, his way of navigating film creation, and so on. The casting real also takes a fun look at how they chose the film’s crew, with the exception of Clooney, Bridges, and Woodley. Though somewhat entertaining, Everybody Loves George is really just a pat on the back for Clooney as the whole cast showers him with praise. The deleted scenes almost feel like a waste of disc space.

Overall, The Descendants is a heartwarming tale that rewards viewers for sticking through the slow first half. The Kings’ journey to finding happiness with each other from such terrible circumstances shows that life can be hard no matter where you live, and that with a little love and a lot of patience, one can overcome anything. And just like the King’s, when the film starts to seem like too much, just hold on a bit longer. The cast will make it worth your while.

Movie: A-, Disk: C+

lucky you!

Video, George accepting Critics Choice Awards where he speaks (and not fondly) about Amarra Miller.

This was a greatl movie. This is be a true classic for the future.

I saw that The Descendants was on HBO so instead of watching the debate I watched the movie instead....maybe it was because it was hyped so much and I had seen so many clips and interviews that when I finally watched it ---- well it was not as wonderful as I thought it would be. I do love the music and they were all quite good but for some reason it didn't have the impact I had hoped. Maybe as it is replayed I will feel differently. GC was good but I think I still like Michael Clayton better.

Hi silly girl - I liked Michael Clayton but to me The Descendents is still my favorite. Maybe it's because he is so vulnerable in this film. George descibes this film as being more emotional and attached to the family. I think that's why I like it so much.

I like "The Descendants" because it was such a poignant film. However, I did find the character played by Amara Miller to be very irritating. She was such a disrespectful child.

I thought Scotty was disrespectful too, although I think the theme of the film is that the kids had no respect for their father. But Alexandra pulled the disrespectful part together much better. Scotty just acted like a brat to the end!!!

I thought the children were great. Actually, I thought they were all great, but I'm with SillyGirl. I think because there was so much hype that I ended up being a little disappointed by it.

Nice pics, thanks
Why did you posted them, Theminis?

I posted them as they were supposedly new pics from the set of Descendants, thought maybe no-one had seen them before.

No, not new, but great to see them again

Oops, that's the last time I believe a tweet!!

Never mind baby, no big deal
it was the occasion to see them again

Well, theminis, they were new to ME, so that counts, right? LOLOL

Yes that does count Lakin

theminis wrote:Yes that does count Lakin

Thanks Theminis
The top one I don't have and that's a good quality I can add to my collection.

I just now got around to watching this movie and I thought it was absolutely wonderful. so much better than i expected.

when i say better than expected- the marketing like the synopsis, summary and clips weren't even close to how wonderful the movie was.

wonderful character arcs, but the scene where george said good bye to his was had me nearly in tears. very very rare for me. I think that has to be one of his most incredible performances that i've seen up to now.

moving
not able to see it again
....

I loved watching it. Saw it many times. Love the DVD. I saw it now million times on different flights. I think I know the script by heart now  

I also thought it was an exceptional movie. George really showed his incredible range as an actor. Loved it

I enjoyed the Descendants too, mainly George as a father figure is obviously rare on film - love the scenery, and the entire cast was well chosen.

Oh, but TheMinis, George has been a father in several of his films.

I had a brain fart Mel obviously, forgot about one of my faves One Fine Day. Guess though for me the Descendants in particular stands out.

I think that The Descendants showed him more as a "hands on" dad more than the others. OFD showed him as a fun dad, but if I'm recalling correctly, most of the others, he just had a kid as part of the story - no major "dad" interactions.

theminis wrote:I had a brain fart Mel obviously, forgot about one of my faves One Fine Day.  Guess though for me the Descendants in particular stands out.

"Brain Fart"....."Can't Remember Shit"......both very apt phrases regarding the ageing process.

And I should know !

 

Just finishing up watching The Descendants on TNT this morning.

Such a lovely performance by George.

On the final scene where he and the girls are watching The March of The Penguins.  That unmistakeable voice of Morgan Freeman is narrating.  :-)

OH I didn't know their were watching "the march of the penguins". Never recognise that.

Just saw this film for the 4th time.  Every time I watch this movie I enjoy it even more.  All of the performances  are terrific.  Especially George's performance.  I think this has been his most vulnerable role so far.  His performance is so real, touching and understated.  

Michael Clayton still my fave tho!

The Descendants was the movie which caught me. I always loved him on ER and liked most of his other movies but when I saw The Descendants for the first time I really thought: Wow, what an actor!

Donnamarie wrote:Just saw this film for the 4th time.  Every time I watch this movie I enjoy it even more.  All of the performances  are terrific.  Especially George's performance.  I think this has been his most vulnerable role so far.  His performance is so real, touching and understated.  

Michael Clayton still my fave tho!

Yes I like The Descendents very much. Great book transferred very sensitively
to the screen. 
George played his role brilliantly and the two girls are great.
Beautiful scenery and music too.

Michael Clayton is worth watching again and again IMO.
The final showdown between George and Tilda Swinton 
is extremely memorable.

"Do I look like I'm negotiating".  Terrific scene Joanna but that's another thread.  Don't want to get on Nicky's bad side.  

 .....Sorry Nicky.

I got carried away !

On Rai movie
This evening


For who wants to see it again