last night i had the privaledge to be invited to a test screening of dorian gray. essentially (tipping my hat here at sedan) various people of different sexes and age brackets were invited to see an unfinished version of the film (aka, the test audience) so that afterward they can glean important feedback like what scenes worked and didn't work, was the music ok, how was the acting, do we need to reshoot some scenes, and who does this movie target? it was pretty cool.
not sure if you know the story but it is based on oscar wilde's novel the picture of dorian gray. it was his only published novel and is somewhat different that what you expect from mr. wilde. without giving away too much, if you haven't read the book, dorian is a fresh-faced young man who moves to london and is influenced by the hedonistic lifestyle at the cost of his very soul. the movie is what i think of as a classic horror story, with the dark macabre mood, gory scenes and chalk full of sex.
ben barnes stars as dorian gray, and although my neice worships him from his prince caspian days, this is a movie she won't be seeing until she's 21 if i have my way...even 18 is way too young for this flick. luckily she'll see him reprise his role as caspian in the newest narnia flick coming out soon.
i would consider this film to be pretty good, and even though its a thriller, its still not quite an action flick for the guys, but enough T&A to keep them happy. definitely a rental. and it pains me to say that because it also stars my british fave colin firth, and ben chaplin of the truth about cats abd dogs.
that being said...everyday in the news there are location pics of the final harry potter film and the 6th movie is out soon. can't. fricking. wait.
Can you say why you consider this a rental, especially as you apparently are fans of both Colin Firth and Ben Chaplin, and not something that should be seen in a theatre?
ReplyDeletesure - there isn't enough to warrant a big screen viewing. it has all the right elements to make a good film, but i think it'll fare better on dvd than in cinemas.
ReplyDeletethe thing is...some books shouldn't be made into movies.
Was the acting good though? Was Ben Barnes good in it? Because it was a test screening, so they might change a lot now if the audience may not like it.
ReplyDeleteyou can stop fishing anonymous, i filled in my questionaire at the screening :)
ReplyDeleteand ben barnes did a relatively good job considering my only other audience with him was narnia. he stretched himself and that's always a good thing for a youmg actor to do. at least he won't be the next lipgloss or rpat. see laineygossip.com for explanation.
Just curious what city your test screening was in. I go to them frequently in Los Angeles and now that you say you've been to one, I'm going to be on the lookout! Thanks.
ReplyDeleteHey, Giovanna! Anonymous here. The first Anonymous, not the second one, who asked about Ben Barnes.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the reply, but it does leave me rather confused because you say that it has all the elements to make a good film but yet you say some books shouldn't be made into movies. The 1945 Hurd Hatfield-George Sanders version is considered a classic and I don't think I've ever heard a criticism of it to the effect that it should not have been made into a movie.
Are the only movies that in your opinion should be seen in theatres action or CGI types?