Saw "Walk the Line" last night

[Enraged_Ape]

It doesn't matter what movies have been out so far this year or what is about to come out, or who is starring in them. If Joaquin Phoenix doesn't get the Oscar for Best Actor, then the Academy Awards are truly the sham I've always suspected them to be.

My God, the kid that played Commodus WAS Johnny R. Freaking Cash. He had the facial expressions, the on-stage "machine-gun-you-all-with-my-guitar" mannerisms, and most importantly, the VOICE. Phoenix did all of his own singing and learned to play the guitar for the movie, and although he can't sound 100% like the Man In Black, there are times when he absolutely is spot on. It's uncanny.

And Reese Witherspoon needs a recording contract. I swear her country singing voice is up there with Alison Krauss and Dolly. Who knew?

What a great movie. I highly recommend this to people who aren't even fans of Cash. It's worth going to just for the performances and music alone.

Oh, and bring your boyfriend/girlfriend/S.O. It's got some romantic stuff in it.

[BuelahWitch]

1. I'm going to see it Sunday

Can't wait! :bounce:

[LynneSin]

2. I adore Reese Witherspoon - would love to see her get nominated

was she good enough for a nomination? I think she's one of the classier gals in Hollywood and even married a native Delawarean (Ryan Phillipe is from New Castle Delaware)

[Enraged_Ape]

4. Reese Witherspoon is terrific and is nomination-worthy

It's the best role and performance she's had in years, probably since "Election". And she has great chemistry with Phoenix that really draws you into the Carter-Cash story.

But it's Phoenix that's truly phenomenal. I am a Cash fan and just couldn't see how Commodus would pull off playing somebody who had such distinct mannerisms and characteristics without either woefully underplaying the role or resorting to caricature. But Phoenix succeeded spectacularly.

[tjdee]

3. Joaquin is a fantastic, fantastic actor.

He's absolutely delightful.

I tend to HATE biopics getting acting nominations, because it's basically mimicry and watching videos and interviews and calling up the dude to ask questions (cough cough, Jamie Foxx, cough cough). It's nothing to do with creating a character out of nowhere, creating motivations, making a character your own, etc. It's how close you can copy.

But if it works out for Joaquin, I can deal.

[Enraged_Ape]

6. I know what you mean, but Joaquin does more than just mimic

Johnny Cash would be a tougher "celebrity" role to play than most because of his talent and the fact that he was a complex cipher to most people. For instance, he had very liberal political views but also very traditional conservative views. He was an out-of-control rabblerousing hellraiser and a good (real) Christian man. Joaquin is able to explore all of this. And unlike Foxx, he does his own singing, which is just unbelievable.

I tend to roll my eyes at biopic acting nominations as well, but I'll take one of those any day over the handicapped/mentally impaired/dying nominations from those movies that all seem to come out in January.

[flamingyouth]

5. I'm looking forward to seeing it.

Thanks for the review. :hi:

[BikeWriter]

7. She is a hot dish, too.