Monuments Men Discussion for those Who Have Seen It

by LornaDoone Sat 08 Feb 2014, 23:40

Let's start a discussion thread.

If you've not seen the film you may wish to stay out of this thread.

For those discussing, if you're going to reveal something that might be considered a spoiler, please use the spoiler function.

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Please highlight any text that might contain a spoiler, click on that spoiler icon and then do your posting.
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Ok I saw Monuments Men today even though I went with some trepidation due to the reviews. But frankly some of the things that they trashed about the film (those who didn't like it) were things I was glad were there.

I welcomed the light banter. The way some of the critics discussed it was as if it was continual through the film but it wasn't. I don't know, were those reviewers expecting a comedy?

One reviewer spoke about George "lecturing" well then how else to condense months of work into a two hour film. And how better to get across the importance of the work? Heck it was obvious that many of the military personnel over there could give a rats ass about the art. So the scenes where George was explaining the importance I thought were relevant and very interesting.

I also didn't grow up in a world where I expect instant gratification. For those reviewers who had issue with the "pacing" well this wasn't supposed to be some fast-paced action war film so the pacing was just fine for me.

Ok, here are two spoilers:

Spoiler:

So yes, I would recommend the film on several levels. First as a way to make our generation know not only that there were these men who were trying to save history, but also why it was so important for them to do so. I also found the interaction amongst the characters and these actors was very enjoyable to watch.

Grant and George wrote the script - including Hugh Bonneville's character's letter which made me cry - which is a reminder of what really talented writers they are - for me that's another reason to go see the film.

During the press conference in Berlin today someone asked Matt about the woman on whom Cate's character was based. (I would assume the question might have been asked of Cate had she been there) But Matt's answer was very interesting. He said that the real life woman was so unassuming that she was able to get away with cataloging many of the pieces that were so important to find. Hearing that and then seeing the film afterward gave me so much more insight into Cate's character. Matt said the real woman was very brave and although it wasn't really emphasized in the film, it really makes a lot of sense.

by Way2Old4Dis Sun 09 Feb 2014, 00:01

Saw it. Really, really liked it. It wasn't brilliant throughout, but there were some deft touches that elevated the entire work.

No idea what movie the nay-saying critics were watching. This one's a keeper for me. I'd pay to see it again before I'd take money to see some of the well-reviewed stuff.

I think the ensemble worked really well together. GC is one of those actors who, for better or worse, makes it look easy, and he handled (directed) the other roles expertly. I liked the 'pairings;' they seemed complementary. Loved the Bonneville arc.

The one thing I wouldn't give an 'A' is the score. I noticed it too much, too many times. Movie music, for me, should be seamless and barely noticeable on a conscious level -- just giving an emotional underscore to the scene, not try to dictate it. But even that was still quite good.

Definitely recommend it.

by ktsue2002 Sun 09 Feb 2014, 01:09

Well I liked it too, but I also get what the critics were saying. However, I think I singled out exactly what caused their less than positive reaction. One of you hinted on it.

by uboru Sun 09 Feb 2014, 03:23

Saw it today. It didn't seem slow at all. My only slight complaint is that the background music was sometimes too loud.

But, it's the first time in a VERY long time that I've seen the audience applaud at the end of a movie.

Well done George....well done!

by Boshkash Sun 09 Feb 2014, 04:40

it is funny that audience's reactions are way more positive than critics for this movie, so many comments and tweets are saying that they loved it, I guess critics were expecting another prestigious Clooney film, which he said is not the case with MM..

by it's me Sun 09 Feb 2014, 07:24

fantastic!!!! Very Happy

by Lighterside Sun 09 Feb 2014, 13:01

What's the matter with these critics? George never presented this as another serious "Band of Brothers" type film or a WWII docudrama which has already been done to death...why the angst over it? They didn't understand what he meant when he said they thought about things like Kelly's Heros and Dirty Dozen when they sat down to write?

I just don't get it...why not enjoy the film they made, instead of whining about what they didn't make? And maybe it's just me but I didn't expect that Italy, Russia and Germany would be thrilled to death with whatever their depiction of the period was, no matter who wrote it.

by Joanna Sun 09 Feb 2014, 14:12

At least M M can't be a mediocre easily forgotten film to cause all of this debate.

Roll on 14 Feb here !

by LornaDoone Sun 09 Feb 2014, 14:57

Joanna wrote:At least M M can't be a mediocre easily forgotten film to cause all of this debate.

Roll on 14 Feb here !

Ah that's sweet Joanna. I don't believe those of you in the UK celebrate Valentine's Day like we do here in the US but it's nice that you'll get to spend it with George! Lucky you! :-)

by Lighterside Sun 09 Feb 2014, 15:00

Joanna wrote:At least M M can't be a mediocre easily forgotten film to cause all of this debate.

Roll on 14 Feb here !

Amen to that Jo and I agree with Lorna...have yourself a wonderful time with your "sweet valentine" via big screen! Love4

by silly girl Wed 12 Feb 2014, 20:48

I work one day a week in a local bookstore. I was working in the back when I over heard a customer tell the owner that he had seen MM last night. He said it was "good"... my boss said he heard that it doesn't "draw you in"...whereas the customer replied it doesn't really but that it was still good....he liked the story. Oh the customer said it starred Matt Damon who was pretty good and that "good looking actor....can't remember his name"....

Wink

by Nicky80 Wed 12 Feb 2014, 22:12

Can't remember his name...shame on the customer.....hehe

by Maggy Thu 13 Feb 2014, 21:30

Just saw the movie and I loved it!

George once again has proven
that he is not "Just another pretty face" Very Happy

Great job, Mr. Clooney!

by Katiedot Fri 21 Feb 2014, 11:02

So, who's going to see it this weekend?

by theminis Fri 21 Feb 2014, 11:05

Not me, it doesn't come out until the middle of March - Im being incredibly patient about it too -

by Nicky80 Fri 21 Feb 2014, 13:11

I'm going to see it next week. I'm so excited about it. And I'm going to see it original language, even better. I probably will buy 5 times popcorn, chocolate and coke and crunch during the whole movie. Yahooooo

by Nicky80 Fri 21 Feb 2014, 13:13

Oh theminis....Well, once it is your turn you can let it out and get crazy (in the cinema) Razz

by Butterfly Fri 21 Feb 2014, 21:01

I've just returned from the movie theater. Congratulations, George! Very Happy

You are amazing!

I would say that the focus is on the value of art, on emotions, warmth and humanity, and not so much on precise facts of how they did it. Precision of facts would have ruined the warmth and empathy of the message.

The critics scrutinizing this movie in a negative way remind me of generals who wanted to be photographed for the media with the gold and not pieces of art. Yes, it is true that in the beginning, I didn't know how to put the pieces of the story together. But later on, I understood. So, I can understand the critics when they talk only about the storyline and rational logic. But - art is beyond logic.

What I like about the movie is its general message of how important it is to preserve art and culture. In my personal view, if a nation would have a soul, it's name would be art. Love letter

Also, I enjoyed the personal Clooney touch of warmth in it: for instance, the scene in the dark church lit by thousands candles where you could feel the mysticism so close to you; and the scene with Bill Murray under the shower while listening to the Merry Christmas song from the radio, where you could feel the contrast between love and war so clearly. I love these moments. This is my George. Hug1

I love you, George Clooney, thank you for the Monuments Men! Hug1

by Nicky80 Fri 21 Feb 2014, 21:09

Butterfly wrote:........ This is my George.

eeehm you know you need to share him Twisted Evil

WITH ME

Thanks for the information about the film..... Coolio

by Joanna Sat 22 Feb 2014, 01:11

Lovely review Butterfly.
It makes you wonder whether all the negative critics actually saw the entire film.

There have been some strange descriptions
around though.
I've seen it described as a "riotous comedy" on one web site and a "heist movie" elsewhere.

by Butterfly Sat 22 Feb 2014, 08:58

Nicky80 wrote:
Butterfly wrote:........ This is my George.


eeehm you know you need to share him          WITH ME

Thanks for the information about the film.....

OK Nicky, let's share G! Hug1

by Butterfly Sat 22 Feb 2014, 09:20

Joanna wrote:Lovely review Butterfly.
It makes you wonder whether all the negative critics actually saw the entire film.

There have been some strange descriptions
around though.
I've seen it described as a "riotous comedy" on one web site and a "heist movie" elsewhere.

Thanks Joanna Very Happy

. And, another thing...I was looking forward to seeing Nick Clooney at the end of the movie. He said in an interview that it was just a small part, that he had just said "Yeah", no big deal. So...I was worried I might not see him properly in just a second. I was with a friend, and wanted to show her Nick Clooney. I told her that will be just a second.
But...at the very end, "30 years after"...there he was...Nick Clooney in all his glory, with lots of light, in full vision...you definitely cannot miss him! Very Happy

He said "Yeah", and something else I didn't quite catch and then left towards the end of a magnificent church, in all light. My first though was: George really really loves his father. Very Happy

by melbert Sat 22 Feb 2014, 11:59

Butterfly wrote:.
But...at the very end, "30 years after"...there he was...Nick Clooney in all his glory, with lots of light, in full vision...you definitely cannot miss him! He said "Yeah", and something else I didn't quite catch and then left towards the end of a magnificent church, in all light. My first though was: George really really loves his father.

you made me cry with that vision Butterfly. Beautiful description...

by theminis Sat 22 Feb 2014, 13:23

Yes it was very beautiful Butterfly, cant wait to see this movie in March - your review was really good.

by Carla97 Sat 22 Feb 2014, 13:53

Yes thanks Butterfly, beautiful review. I still don´t know when I´m able to see it. Maybe in April in my own country!

by Butterfly Sat 22 Feb 2014, 21:44

Thank you all, I'm glad you liked my review. Enjoy the movie soon! Very Happy

by it's me Sat 22 Feb 2014, 22:18

I saw it

not alone
and I guess it can affect the vision

as usual I need to see it more than one
to better understand

but I am still thinking
what movie did I see?

the one on the screen or the one some reviews described?

I am not a critic
I am the 'audience'
even if not the casual kind bec of all I know before the actual film get the theaters

I am still not sure of what I saw
bec to me it seemed sometimes not really well harmonized

I enjoyed it anyway
but the sensation is something is missing

but I don't really precisely got what scratch

and also I dunno why some scenes went cut
(we will see them on DVD?)

splendid photograph and music
warm lights
maybe sometimes even too much warm IMHO

something is missing G
but what?
I dunno

by Nicky80 Tue 04 Mar 2014, 11:34

I have watched the movie few days back. I watched it twice in German and English Razz

I didn't read any of the reviews before as I wanted to watch the movie with my own expectations.
I liked the movie but I must say (sorry to say but everyone has different opinions and I love George Give Flowers

) it is not one of my favourites. It was a fun movie to watch. But sometimes I was missing the dramatically side of that movie. I felt sometimes it was just all easy peasy to find the art in WW2... The movie shows more the funny side about the guys. Which is ok too. I loved watching it.

Spoiler:

Did you notice that there was a lot of cutting from what was seen from the trailer?

Spoiler:

I know it is normal that things get cut out in movies but I never noticed it before so often.

However, I still liked watching it. Saw it twice so it says it all Very Happy

by Joanna Tue 04 Mar 2014, 12:54

Things get cut all the time in films, otherwise they'd be as long as Gone With the Wind.
Deleted scenes are usually on the Blu-ray Discs.

I think we've all seen so much of the film already on here, both in the making of it and the trailers etc etc.
that maybe actually watching it may be an anti climax ?
My cousins in Cornwall saw it, knew nothing about it, and thought it excellent and learned some history from it too.

by Sevens Tue 04 Mar 2014, 13:00

Haven't seen it. Looking forward to its openning day here March 28th. It's like best birthday gift ever! Laughing

by What Would He Say Wed 05 Mar 2014, 00:04

Spoilers...no peeking!

FIRST IMPRESSIONS CAN BE DECEIVING

I openly admit I have never made a point of seeing a war movie, or even sitting through an entire movie at home. So, from the get go this may have been a challenge for me...BUT..

I LOVED IT !!! .... once it got started...

To use an analogy ... it was like a firework, you know the type you light and then there is a few minutes hesitation while it falters a little, you think its about to blow out....THEN SUDDENLY WALLOP YOUR OFF...LIKE A FIREWORK!

Obviously the first 15-20 minutes I was wobbling, but once Matt/James got his arse off the horse and cart, scratch

the game was on... and what a game...

Stand out performers...all of 'em, everyone bought something unique to the party...
Stand out performance, well my George obviously, but also loved young Sam! Many ppl reference Bill in the Happy Christmas bit quiet rightly, but Sam played by Dimitri Leonidis, really bought home war at it's worst, his baptism into war - holding the hand of a dying man. On that point Sudan entered my head a few times with a couple of references, young boy as a rogue shooter and a few other elements.

It was stoytelling at it's best right up to the end! JMO I love you

by Mazy Wed 05 Mar 2014, 00:32

WWHS That was one exciting review thanks, I don't worry about the spoilers, different when you see it. xxx

by Nicky80 Wed 05 Mar 2014, 06:31

Joanna wrote:Things get cut all the time in films, otherwise they'd be as long as Gone With the Wind.
Deleted scenes are usually on the Blu-ray Discs.

I think we've all seen so much of the film already on here, both in the making of it and the trailers etc etc.
that maybe actually watching it may be an anti climax ?
My cousins in Cornwall saw it, knew nothing about it, and thought it excellent and learned some history from it too.

I know, I just mentioned it as explained in my comment above.

Glad your cousins loved it. Me too. Everyone has different opinions at the end. Thumbs up!

by Joanna Wed 05 Mar 2014, 11:14

I'm going to wait for the Bluray now as I've gone off going to my local cinema.
Plus I can use the subtitles. Lol

I'm convinced I caught a bad chest infection from an audience member the last time I was at my cinema !!

by lionheart Sat 24 May 2014, 19:08

The best thing about this movie is Bill Murray. Guess there's a reason why he's so loved. Not a bad movie.

Personal rating: 3.5/5

by Joanna Mon 09 Jun 2014, 13:22

Monday 9 June 2014

Red Letter Day
My Monuments Men have arrived !

Must get the kettle on !!

by Nicky80 Mon 09 Jun 2014, 14:02

You need to tell us about the behind the scene section. Some we have seen already. Wonder how much more is on DVD....

by Joanna Mon 09 Jun 2014, 14:26

Nicky80 wrote:You need to tell us about the behind the scene section. Some we have seen already. Wonder how much more is on DVD....

On my BluRay extras listed...

Deleted scenes.
In their own words featurette.
George Clooney's Mission featurette.
Marshalling the Troops featurette.
A Woman amongst the Monuments Men Featurette

by hathaross Mon 09 Jun 2014, 16:40

Cool ! Tell us about the extras Smile

. It´s not available in my country yet.

by it's me Sat 21 Jun 2014, 13:31

had mine today Very Happy

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

ops sorry Shocked

anyway my DVD Laughing

by Joanna Sat 21 Jun 2014, 13:55

Lol...Lol....Lol....all the blood will rush to
their heads now IM !
Enjoy it.

I haven't had time to watch mine yet. Circumstances beyond my control took over recently.

by it's me Sat 21 Jun 2014, 14:07

guess it will be difficult to me too
but
now I got it geek

by Nicky80 Sat 21 Jun 2014, 17:26

by Atalante Sun 22 Jun 2014, 19:55

LINK Well more dirt out there.

by it's me Sun 22 Jun 2014, 21:19

all that money for? earning only?

by theminis Wed 03 Sep 2014, 11:52

So I finally got the see Monuments Men in its entirety without interruption today.

I really enjoyed the movie, felt like it should have been longer though, it seemed to go way too quick.

Heart warming and moments that made me tear up a little were:
Billy Murray Christmas Song moment
Hugh and the Madonna moment
George talking to the German Commander Guy about reading his paper, thought that was a good scene.
Loved the way it ended with Nick Clooney.

Is it Oscar worthy, not sure that it got to the heart of it for me on many levels, but I thoroughly enjoyed it and would definitely watch it again.

The scenery etc magnificent, George did a wonderful job directing and of course writing/producing/acting.

Nice cameo by Grant Heslov too.

by Joanna Sat 04 Oct 2014, 17:22

I've just watched the Monuments Men and enjoyed it.
But.....the scenes shot in Rye, I think, of all the liberation troops marching through the town and being cheered with flags and flowers was missing.
It's not in the deleted scenes either.
It's very strange and must be disappointing for all the extras involved.

by Way2Old4Dis Wed 19 Nov 2014, 00:06

Article about upcoming awards season, with a reference to MM.

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SSN Awards Watch: Jupiter Ascending, The Judge & Others in First Round of Misses

Comment
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] 18 Nov 2014
[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] By Neil Turitz

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]There’s a long history of movies that, though highly-anticipated going into awards season, lost luster once they actually premiered. Early buzz and hopeful chatter dissipate; awards consideration is weighed honestly and, more often than not, dismissed entirely. This year is no different

There’s an advantage to being seen as a movie on the hunt for awards, but oftentimes, it’s more curse than blessing, because expectations become much too large. When a film has such enormous buzz attached before it comes out, there is often nowhere to go but down.

Last year, George Clooney’s Monuments Men was thought to be a prime player in the Oscar race, only to have its release bumped to February because its visual effects weren’t finished. Upon its release however, it was clear that the push was due to the fact that it wasn’t an awards-caliber film.

The same could be said for Jupiter Ascending, the latest film from the Wachowskis, pushed from July to February for the same reasons of unfinished visual effects. While late-July is not primetime for awards consideration, and the Wachowskis have not traditionally been awards season players, their films have earned plenty of recognition in below-the-line categories in the past. Now, it’s simply another film that might gain an audience because it will hit theaters during the doldrums of winter.

But let’s focus on movies that are still to come this fall, or that have already been released. The Judge is a perfect example; Gone Girl is another. Both came out in the first half of October after being highly touted as awards contenders, but while the latter has been a financial success and might garner some love for lead actress Rosamund Pike and screenwriter Gillian Flynn, the likelihood of much more is slim. The Judge is likewise considered old news, despite solid performances from Robert Downey, Jr. and Robert Duvall.

Men, Women & Children was thought to be a serious contender until it premiered to dismal response in Toronto and promptly died at the box office upon its release last month. Fury followed suit, as did Interstellar, which could still earn nominations for Christopher Nolan’s below-the-line team, although the controversy surrounding the film’s sound mix might put the kibosh on that. For months leading up to the movie’s release, the buzz that Nolan might finally get a Best Director nomination, and that Interstellar was a prime candidate for Best Picture, were deafening. You may have noticed that both have quieted considerably in the weeks since. Same with Inherent Vice, which went from frontrunner to, “maybe Josh Brolin will get a Supporting Actor nod,” in the time it took you to read that last sentence.

There are a passel of films still to come that are holding onto high hopes they probably shouldn’t be, like Exodus: Gods and Kings, American Sniper, and Big Eyes. Exodus has yet to been seen, but is rumored to be over three hours in length and has the look of a bloated mess; Sniper showed at AFI last week and earned mixed reviews at best; and Big Eyes just isn’t very good, though it might get some Best Actress love for Amy Adams. One wild card still remaining in this deck is Unbroken, which premiered to positive response over the weekend in Australia, though there are some who wonder if it can possibly be as good as people hope it will be.

While some films have lived up to the hype, like Boyhood, The Imitation Game, and Birdman, all of which look to have locks on multiple nominations, the simple truth is that, more often than not, films have a hard time living up the expectations placed upon them. We’ll certainly find out more in the next two months, when nominations for the 2015 Oscars are announced.

by LornaDoone Wed 19 Nov 2014, 02:56

Way2 do you know what they are talking about with Interstellar sound mix?

And I am looking forward to The Imitation Game.

by LizzyNY Wed 19 Nov 2014, 03:04

I hope George's upcoming films don't fall into the same trap. Tomorrowland is already being hyped and anything the Coen brothers produce is met with high expectations. It seems really hard to find a good balance between building anticipation for a film and over-promoting it so that epectations are so high they can't be met.

Lorna - I haven't seen Interstellar, but have read in some reviews that the soundtrack was so loud in spots that it drowned out the dialogue. I guess that's what they meant.

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