Richard Armitage tangentially related

Film press is finally turning down the noise on Ocean’s 8 a bit, although there were still many alerts to read because of the London premiere this week. In my local chain, the showings available have been reduced by about half, which suggests they think there are still many people who will want to see it. I expected a bit greater reduction as this weekend’s opening in the U.S. is The Incredibles 2, which is hotly anticipated.

Ocean’s 8:

• Excellent layered discussion of eating in this film and why its portrayal is such a novelty (and afterwards the author tweeted that she’d wanted, but forgotten to, mention Armitage).
• Friday Flyer (a California local newspaper) says Armitage “makes a credible scoundrel”.
• Cate Blanchett and Sandra Bullock answer Digital Spy on the lesbian question.
• Female cast speaks out about the representation issue.
• Ouch, but huh? And hates Corden even more: “Unfortunately, the film fails to establish a convincing relationship between Debbie and Becker, either as lovers or nemeses, and their scenes feel shabby and tired. This is perhaps a failure of nerve on Ross’ part, given that without this side-mission the main body of his film would’ve contained no substantial speaking parts for men.”
• Inflammatory headline at the Guardian but decent discussion of how the gender imbalance in criticism influences reviews, anchored in statements by the female cast.
• Another brief interview with composer Stephen Pemberton.
• Harvard Crimson wishes the Corden scenes had been eliminated entirely to highlight the significance of the con.
• OK — here’s a new one: Christian critic defends the film as exemplary of particular Christian virtues. Armitage isn’t mentioned but I wonder how she’d classify Claude Becker.

Berlin Station:

• THR reviews EPIX’s new series, Deep State. Included here because of this evaluation: “The references to current events and international relations are rote, definitely less nuanced and invested than Epix’s otherwise similar Berlin Station.” Hard to figure. Summary: watch it for Mark Strong and for solid production values. Reminder that EPIX is running a free streaming weekend this weekend if you are interested in seeing it (presumably only in the U.S.).

The Hobbit:

• Screen Rants on “sweethearts” and “not sweethearts” in the Hobbit / LOTR casts. Since I got into a frankly stupid discussion about this on Twitter, I’ll note for the record that I don’t endorse every assertion in this article. There are at least two factual errors I’m aware of. I agree with some interpretations and not with others. However, I also learned a few things that I didn’t know. And yes, before one believes these things one must seek out and evaluate the source.

Fandom:

• Interesting read about the recent uproar by a (former?) superfan.

Stop Cyberbullying Day (blerg):

• Promo of celebrities involved with the project this year. Maybe their U.S. arm is finally contributing.

~ by Servetus on June 16, 2018.